<p>There’s an old joke that goes along the lines of: “1/4th of the world’s population is Chinese. So if you’re in a gang of four and you look around and can’t see any Chinese people, that means it’s you.”</p>
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<p>What on earth are you talking about? White privilege has nothing to do with racial preferences or “atoning for injustice.” White privilege is just the simple fact that the majority doesn’t have to deal with minority issues, and thus has some advantages and privileges in life of which they may never become aware. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, and it never puts anyone at a direct disadvantage.</p>
<p>Usually, when we begin a discussion of white privilege, we start with male privilege because it’s easier to understand, given that there are inherent differences between men and women (and plenty of society-created differences) that no one’s really debating. Like I said, these aren’t inherent advantages or disadvantages. It’s something men are hardly aware of, and it usually doesn’t directly affect women in any way. For example, the likelihood that a man is ever beaten up by his spouse - heterosexually speaking - is extremely small. For women, it’s a decent statistic. That’s a part of male privilege: not being afraid of domestic abuse, pretty much ever.</p>
<p>[Alas</a>, a blog The Male Privilege Checklist](<a href=“http://www.amptoons.com/blog/the-male-privilege-checklist/]Alas”>http://www.amptoons.com/blog/the-male-privilege-checklist/)</p>
<p>Then, we move on to white privilege. These are things that white people (or the majority in any country) can do without thinking twice about them, but that pose problems for minorities. So, this is a good article on white privilege:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.case.edu/president/aaction/UnpackingTheKnapsack.pdf[/url]”>http://www.case.edu/president/aaction/UnpackingTheKnapsack.pdf</a></p>
<p>And this one is not as good by any means, but still case in point:</p>
<p>[What</a> is white privilege? - Mary Mitchell](<a href=“http://blogs.suntimes.com/mitchell/2008/09/what_is_white_privilege.html]What”>http://blogs.suntimes.com/mitchell/2008/09/what_is_white_privilege.html)</p>
<p>Re 22</p>
<p>Reread what I wrote. I said that white privilege is “typically espoused by ardent supporters of racial preferences…” That is, two separate ideologies are being spouted by the same group of people.</p>
<p>I agree that no white should be ashamed of being white, but that is not how at least one major player in the “white privilege” world sees it. I can’t directly link to blogs as per TOS, so google “‘Diversity’ And Political Correctness At Brown.” The aforementioned major player, Dr. Evelyn Hu-DeHart, did not seem to dispute any of what the Brown alum wrote about her speech. She mainly objected to what she perceived as “loaded” language (ie. the description, not the substance). That’s where I got my negative impression of “white privilege.”</p>
<p>You can’t go wrong either way. Its not like if you put “White” you’re cutting the red cord and the bomb is going to explode. Affirmative action is helpful for minorities at first but its really difficult and awkward to feel like “I was here because I checked this box in the AA column.” or to rationalize it by making some random facts. The whole system is screwed up and I think everyone- regardless of everything is equal. We’re diverse enough to not have to use it! </p>
<p>Having said that- all these social norms and what not are only going to drive you insane only if you let them affect you.</p>
<p>What percentage of a race do you need to be to qualify as that race?</p>
<p>The guy saying “put Native American if you’re 1% Native American” sounds wrong, but what is the actual minimum percentage?</p>
<p>Put white.
If you put “prefer not to answer” they’ll just assume you’re white or asian anyway.</p>
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<p>There are no laws. Race is SELF-identification.</p>
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<p>Technically you could classify yourself as Asian. Roma people originate from the Middle East and even India! Although it is kinda a stretch. But I suppose race/ethnicity is a bit arbitrary.</p>
<p>everyone and their cousin claims to be native american. everyone should just put that since they have the least enrollment percentages in colleges.</p>
<p>for the record, i’m just kidding. i know how cc requires disclaimers or else they’ll be jumped on and attacked with links to wikipedia and googled articles.</p>
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<p>There ARE guidelines, and you DO have to fit certain definitions. Let me point you to the first few posts of this:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/858679-race-college-admission-faq-discussion-7-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/858679-race-college-admission-faq-discussion-7-a.html</a></p>
<p>that’s really such ********</p>
<p>if I’m 10% Native American why am I not allowed to identify with that? Yet President Obama’s allowed to identify as black even though he’s “only” 50%?</p>
<p>I really never understood why they collect statistics on all this stuff.</p>
<p>It’s just silly to me. I am half hispanic so I can freely check that box I think, but the fella who’s 10 or 20% probably can’t (I really didn’t feel like reading walls of text just to figure out what percentage one has to be in order to ‘qualify’ for a specific box).</p>
<p>Seriously, my post is deleted because I used the word “hell?”</p>
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<p>No. LEGALLY, there are NO laws. What qualifications do you use? I have a friend who has white skin, and yet her dad is clearly black and she is 1/4 black. She just looks like a very light-skinned latino. I am Hispanic and yet I have white skin, blue eyes, and an Irish name. </p>
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<p>It’s true. But no one would look at me and think Asian. Or Middle Eastern. Or Indian. And yet my mother is clearly Roma. </p>
<p>And, technically, we’re all from Africa so we could ALL be considered African-American. And what about people from North Africa that have very white skin?</p>
<p>See, where do you stop? That is why race is SELF-identification.</p>
<p>or South Africa</p>
<p>And your friend’s a great example of why I find current terms for race and ethnicity so silly. Imagine a black guy from Britain. If you show a picture of him to the average American (or any American really) they’ll either call him “black” or… dun dun dun… “African-American.” Even though he’s about as American as crumpets and tea.</p>
<p>These are the guidelines for race. 1/4 ancestory is used, 1/16 at max.</p>
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<p>Which is why I say there ARE guidelines. If you check a race, you ARE responsible for adhering to the guidelines. But, you do NOT have to choose a category. You are free to select OTHER or NONE.</p>
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<p>Your friend fits the guidelines for black and for white. As such, it is at this point where self-identification comes in. She is welcome to chose black, white, both, or neither. She could not, however, choose Asian or Native American (if that is not the case). Latino is not an option. Unless she is of Hispanic heritage, she would answer no to that question.</p>
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<p>I’m sure you are very attractive. You are Hispanic, and I really don’t know you, but let’s just say you are also white. Great. Answer yes to the ethnicity question, and then hit white, none, or other (you are welcome, for example, to enter “the human race”).</p>
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<p>They are either white or mixed race. Unfortunately, I think your world history understanding is lacking. These people have origins in Europe, not Africa. The guidelines consider them white.</p>
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<p>No, this is why there are clear guidelines, multiple options, AND elements left open for self-identification.</p>
<p><a href=“you%20are%20welcome,%20for%20example,%20to%20enter” title=“the human race”>quote</a>.
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<p>Which is what I wrote on all my apps. As I said earlier. That is the only race.</p>
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<p>Thank you for the textbook definition, I am well aware of what “white privileges” means. I was simply questioning the context of which DCHurricane was saying it in. He/She is Hispanic, so I can see the advantage there. However I do not see any advantage to DC being white, especially in the context of applying to colleges.</p>
<p>I’d say - check off whatever feels “right” to you.</p>
<p>For example, I’m mostly asian, but 1/16 white. So, depending on the application, I check asian, asian + white, other, or refuse to disclose. When it says “Check All That Apply,” you’d see me put down asian + white if I feel like disclosing. Otherwise, it’s 50/50 between asian and refuse to disclose. On forms where the asian category is further divided, and I feel like messing with status, I consider China and Taiwan separate countries and end up checking two boxes + other.</p>
<p>Thing is - it’s mostly personal. I mean, native Hawaiians legally qualify for gov’t benefits at just 1/16. So, what’s the issue of pushing the definition on how white/asian I am.</p>
<p>Similarly, take liberties with this. My general rule is: as long as you’re not outright lying, it’s OK.</p>
<p>If everyone answered “prefer not to answer,” then it really wouldn’t matter anymore would it?</p>