A White Man's Burden Is A Colored Man's Responsibility?

Race And Privilege In The "Age of Obama": NPR

Privilege is tied to power, allowing certain individuals to assume unearned assets that can elevate social status or reputation. Markers of privilege are varied and many. In a capitalist society, individuals with higher incomes enjoy more respect, comfort, security, and power. In a male-dominated culture, men enjoy more autonomy and power than do women. In a color-coded society, those who are white are less disciplined by racism and more privileged to unspecified rights associated with skin color. Those who carry more markers of privilege are higher up the social ladder of power and prestige. Sadly, social institutions such as universities, and courts reflect and enforce certain forms of privilege and subjugation. Minorities, homosexuals, women, and other "Other" groups continue to be discriminated. This pervasive relationship of dominance and subordination involve all of us, participating often blindly.

The challenge, then, is how the privileged should think and behave with respect to their position of power and the implications of status. The underprivileged and the privilege should jointly merge their citizenry responsibilities and set forth a more equal and meritocratic society.

Power and privilege, however, are not necessarily equated with personal choice. The wealthy are sometimes endowed with money since birth. White individuals do not choose to become white. While the privileged may assume power across certain facets, we cannot criticize their power or privilege unless they abuse it by crassly neglecting the less privileged. Obama, for example, is weathy and influential as the President of the United States. While he is American by birth and profession, he chose to be Black by racial ID. Although Black, Obama constantly reminds the public of how his life is different from the lives of the many poor Blacks in America. He can choose a private school for his kids, Sasha and Malia. Washington public schools, among the worst in the country, are out. Like the Clintons and the other presidents before him, he will take advantage of his power and privilege to better himself and his family, but who can blame him?

Privileged people often feel guilty for their entitlement. Thus, many choose to give back to the community to undermine the power structure that benefits them. Yet, other people often dismiss the privileged's progressive worldview as insincere rhetoric. Very few Whites admit their higher incomes are partially attributable to the color of their skin. They feel guilty about racial disparities; they cannot acknowledge that this extra income is a product of a racial hierarchy. The guilt stems from the fact that society tells us to treat the unprivileged not only with our sympathy and our charity, but treat them as equals, and how is this possible when they do not share an equal lot in life? The privileged simply cannot be in solidarity with the oppressed, and they are condemned to that feeling of guilt. Powerful people are much more capable of effecting change, even though their selfishness renders them unwanting to in the first place. With privilege also comes responsibility and with greater privilege, greater responsibility. The privileged should be cautioned of negative dynamics that can stem from oblivion to their own privilege. They should not always assume they are correct over the less privileged. They should not wear the coat of ignorance and become unaware of the circumstances of the less privileged. Finally, they should not assume a legacy of privilege. Power fades, and so does privilege.