# Tales of White Privilege **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 12, 2018, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794 "2018-07-12T17:40:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/21 "2018-07-12T22:51:17Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > A quick poll: A. The black guy should have been treated just like the white guy. > B. The white guy should have been treated just like the black guy. > C. You’re cool with the disparate treatment. well, A would be immediately fair but I worry about brown guys. B should eventually lead to better police behavior for all - if not we are all equally screwed. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/22 "2018-07-12T22:57:19Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > … And it wasn’t just that I had white skin. It was that I had white experiences. The cop identified with me because he felt that we had similar interests, and as such, he wanted to do what he could to help me out. > > That’s where the real privilege exists. When you see someone that looks like you, you assume that they have similar interests as you do, and have to be disabused of that notion on every point. If you see someone that looks different, you assume that they have no similar interests, and you are surprised for every point of similarity. I think you’re right about this. It may be a fundamental of human psychology. As for my own experiences with white privilege, I’d say the fact that I’ve walked through hundreds of stores over the years without ever being followed around by a staff member, probably qualifies. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/23 "2018-07-13T01:54:14Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > (Just gonna place this one in the Pit so I can properly mock all the racists when they come in here and deny my/our experiences, or helpfully explain that there is no such thing as white privilege. Also, it may help them stop hijacking Huey’s thread with their bullshit.) > > So I’m gonna pop in here with some tales of white privilege which I have experienced or witnessed (usually experienced). I’m a 51yo white guy with a professional demeanor and I see this stuff happen all the time. It happens to me regularly. > > But let’s start with a story that I was involved in, but the privilege was somebody else’s… > > So, my kid was at a party a month ago and to kill 2, 3 hours before I picked her up, I turned on the Uber driver app. First call, about a mile from her school. > > I get there and there are **two PD vehicles, lights going** , and a 50-something white man, looking a bit disheveled, is there with the two cops, arguing with them… “this is bullshit. Don’t you have anything better to do?”, idiocies like that. > > Apparently, Mr Man was **such an asshole to his previous Uber driver to the point he got kicked out, with the driver calling the PD**. Usually this would result in a ticket, a warning, perhaps some time in the local drunk tank to cool off. > > The police… get this… **USED THE MANS PHONE TO CALL HIM ANOTHER UBER!** > > So I look at my app and note it’s going to a section of town with million-$ houses. Get the guy in my car, the cops tell me to take him home, and we’re off. > > … Not 30 seconds out, the man says “ **We’re not going home** , I want to go downtown.” > > Well, I take him downtown - can’t do otherwise right, else it’s kidnapping. > > On the way down **he says “I want you to take me to \ 'cause I wanna buy some crack.”** > > (!!!) > > “Not in my fucking car you are!” > > So Mr White starts arguing with me! > > “Dude, don’t be a dick like that other guy (referencing the other Uber driver). We’ll just go to the convenience store and they’ll give it to me through the window. I do this all the time.” > > “Well, you’re not doing it in my car.” > > Anyway, I take him close to his intersection, drop him off next to a PD car (so he won’t be physically belligerent), and drove off. > > But he was successful in his quest, and I know this because he left me a $20 tip 2 days later. > > So, uh, yeah. **If you look like a white executive you can be abrasive and abusive towards people, have the cops called on you because of this, and _even if_ the problem was your Uber driver doesn’t want to assist you in committing a crime, the cops will call you an Uber so you can go successfully buy crack** and make it home 30 miles away with no problem. > > So that’s one tale among many. What are yours? That is some serious bullshit. He should have been busted by the **first** cops. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/24 "2018-07-13T02:39:29Z")
John T. wrote: "So I look at my app and note it’s going to a section of town with million-$ houses. Get the guy in my car, the cops tell me to take him home, and we’re off. … Not 30 seconds out, the man says “We’re not going home, I want to go downtown.” Well, I take him downtown - can’t do otherwise right, else it’s kidnapping. " You could argue that since the cops told you to take him home, that by doing so, even against his express wishes, you’re acting under, forgive the expression, color of authority. After all, he couldn’t accuse the cops of kidnapping if they arrested him. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/25 "2018-07-13T02:58:42Z")
I volunteer in a group that circulates around 40 people. Occasionally I will be the only white person in a group of say 8 people. I am always put on the register. I argue that someone else should learn how to use the register. No way, they don’t want to handle money. If they knew how many mistakes I make I am sure they would kick me to the curb. I am never questioned or asked why something costs that amount. Because I am white and courteous (usually) it’s accepted I know what I am doing. They are so wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/26 "2018-07-13T04:00:40Z")
White privilege isn’t generally about getting some special favor. It’s about things that don’t happen. It’s about going into a store and not having a security guard follow you around. It’s about walking down the street and not have strangers cross over to the other side of the street. It’s about driving through a small town and not getting pulled over by the police. It’s about not having people express surprise when you mention that you have a job or a high school diploma or a husband. It’s about not being routinely mistaken for some other white person who doesn’t look anything like you. It’s about having a police officer approach you and not wondering if you’re going to survive the encounter. These are things that white people all take for granted as just their normal life but black people don’t. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/27 "2018-07-13T04:12:33Z")
Nothing to add – just wanted to say, great thread! Thanks to all. I am as privileged as they come…so many things I’ve taken for granted over the years. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/28 "2018-07-13T04:22:01Z")
This board is going to shit. Or does that make me a racist? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/29 "2018-07-13T05:19:54Z")
> [@Trafalgar\_Laura](#): > > I was once the victim of non-violent, but personally upsetting, anti-white racism. It was unprovoked aside from my wandering into the wrong place across the wrong crowd at the wrong time, as far as I can tell. > > White privilege means I dealt with some assholes once and it hurt my feelings… as opposed to dealing with that sort of mistreatment or worse on a\* regular basis\*. I don’t know how well I’d handle it, if I faced behavior like that regularly and not as a one-off situation, or how I’d handle being treated with perpetual suspicion. Bingo. Once when I was young, I got followed around in a clothing store because I didn’t look sufficiently affluent to afford the merchandise. It was disturbing and embarrassing and made me feel rotten. But I’m white. And it’s only happened once to me. I can’t imagine how black folks cope with it happening over and over and over again. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/30 "2018-07-13T05:28:57Z")
I won’t get into specifics but fair to say I did my fair share of young, immature, stupid shit when I was in high school and college. I know enough to know that whites are allowed to get shit out of their system, whereas blacks are criminalized from early childhood. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/31 "2018-07-13T05:40:44Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > This board is going to shit. Or does that make me a racist? Depends. \*Why \*do you think it’s going to shit? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/32 "2018-07-13T05:59:26Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Depends. \*Why \*do you think it’s going to shit? It’s all those losers from Filthadelphia. Any time something goes to shit it’s because of people from Filthadelphia. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/33 "2018-07-13T06:30:55Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > I can’t imagine how black folks cope with it happening over and over and over again. [African Americans Have Higher Risks of Stroke](http://www.healthcommunities.com/stroke/risk-african-americans.shtml) [Fatal First Heart Attacks More Common in Blacks](https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20170710/fatal-first-time-heart-attacks-more-common-in-blacks-study) [Why Is Hypertension More Common in African Americans?](https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/407721) [Stress And Poverty May Explain High Rates Of Dementia In African-Americans](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/07/16/536935957/stress-and-poverty-may-explain-high-rates-of-dementia-in-african-americans) ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/34 "2018-07-13T07:01:50Z")
I remember the first time I went down to pay my taxes, I was so sincere, with my tax forms and bankbook. Of course dad had forgotten to tell me that we whites only pretend to pay taxes. But the woman behind the desk took me aside and explained it all. Then we shared a cup of black baby blood, and went out for icecream. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/35 "2018-07-13T10:06:32Z")
So, like I said, I have what is called a professional demeanor and look. I prefer long-sleeved, button down shirts, khaki’s/slacks, etc, kinda look like Bill Gates, etc. Being mistaken for the boss is so common it barely registers. Bookstores. Grocery stores. Lowes. Home Depot. Insurance agencies. Restaurants. “Excuse me, sir, can you help me…” “I want to talk to you about one of your employees…” “I just wanted to say I really enjoy your store.” “I have a complaint and you look like the man I need to speak to…” Now, again, part of this is inherent in how I present myself, so there is likely some classism present… after all, if I had a gun tattooed to my face, nobody would think I’m the boss of anything. But as this has been going on for over _thirty years_, in Atlanta, Knoxville, San Antonio, and points in between… the time I was interrupted with an “excuse me, professor” while in a Boston Borders (who knows what school they thought I represented (obviously Hahvahd or MIT 😉 ))… that glasses and long-sleeved shirts aren’t the only reasons this happens. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/36 "2018-07-13T10:20:09Z")
The other day, I rolled through a stop sign. Immediately after doing so, I look up in my rear view mirror and see there is a cop behind me. I thought to myself “Shit! That was stupid of me.” And after about 30 seconds when I realized he wasn’t going to pull me over, I thought to myself: “Whew! It’s good to be white!” ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/37 "2018-07-13T10:33:02Z")
> [@Delicious](#): > > Once I killed a foreigner just to watch them die and the police just hi-fived me and said ‘way to go Whitey, we’ll get them all yet’ then they took me for ice cream and we didn’t have to pay because we were white. > [@Isamu](#): > > I remember the first time I went down to pay my taxes, I was so sincere, with my tax forms and bankbook. Of course dad had forgotten to tell me that we whites only pretend to pay taxes. But the woman behind the desk took me aside and explained it all. Then we shared a cup of black baby blood, and went out for icecream. You guys are hilarious. And [a little late to the party](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_LeJfn_qW0). ---
**Author:** ![Fleetwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fleetwood/32/271_2.png) [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/38 "2018-07-13T11:10:14Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > But as this has been going on for over _thirty years_, in Atlanta, Knoxville, San Antonio, and points in between… the time I was interrupted with an “excuse me, professor” while in a Boston Borders (who knows what school they thought I represented (obviously Hahvahd or MIT 😉 ))… that glasses and long-sleeved shirts aren’t the only reasons this happens. Probably not the compliment you think. “Professor” is also a term used around here for smart-ass holier than though types. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/39 "2018-07-13T11:15:05Z")
True. And while I give no ground on the ability to be a holier than thou smart ass (note the correct spelling ( 😛 )), I was merely browsing Borders. Maybe they thought I was the sole book reader on their minor league team. Maybe they thought I was Greg Maddux. Yeah, that’s it - I was mistaken for 4-time Cy Young winner Greg Maddux. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794/40 "2018-07-13T12:49:26Z")
> [@Delicious](#): > > Once I killed a foreigner just to watch them die and the police just hi-fived me and said ‘way to go Whitey, we’ll get them all yet’ then they took me for ice cream and we didn’t have to pay because we were white. I shot a black guy for making eye contact with me, and I got five thousand airline miles on my credit card. Regards, Shodan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tales-of-white-privilege/817794.md?page=3)