Prev Next
Featured Quizzes
Politix Daily Headlines
Featured Debates
Issues

See all 17 issues

People
White House

See all people

COLOR-CODING

'White Privilege' Bracelets Recommended for Wisconsin Students

It's one way white kids can learn to undo their societal dominance, say educators

Next>

by Dain Fitzgerald

Staff Writer t

Image: hominidviews.com

Some folks think the best way to highlight "white privilege" is to make 'em wear scarlet letters.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, in partnership with Americorps, is encouraging the state's high school kids - or at least the white ones - to wear white wristbands reminding them of the undue privilege they carry around with them everyday by mere virtue of being white. Among other ways these youth can commit on a daily basis to "undoing" their privilege is to set aside time "to examine how privilege is working," and even put a note on their mirror or computer screen to remind them of their "moral obligation" to subvert themselves.

It's a bit like one of those daily affirmations, but meant to induce guilt instead of self-esteem.

As for what non-white people can do, well, they can be the recipients of inquiries from white people hoping to get outside of themselves:

"Ask people of color about their experience and be willing to accept their experience as true, real, and accurate," the campaign recommends.

Via EAG News and the Beyond Diversity Resource Center.
Like this article? B Vote Up
?

Do you support the idea of 'white privilege' bracelets?

View results

Comments (view in Forum)

  • bsking
    !
    Americorps how about that a federally funded Racist organization.. well I hope they have a good sense to bring back the yellow Star of David for the Jews to wear on their clothes and let's see let's think of a good 1 for the blacks to wear down in Georgia.. hey this has real possibilities ... that sounds like a program our president could get behind
  • o
    Republican5150
    !
    I didn't see the "Americorps" asking the black folk to wear chains and shackles reminding the black folk how things used to be and how good they got it now...

    Didn't even know "Americorps" existed but glad I do now. Makes it easier for me to know who not to give my charitable tax write off to.
  • Thegrif
    !
    What BS this is, White Privilege?
    Oh hell, now I know we need a National Whitey College Fund, the ole N.W.C.F.
    Do we not have a black President, or atleast a black guy pretending to be President?
    Look, drop out of school, go hook or sell crack on the street corner, and I promise your life will never amount to much. No Matter What Damn Color You Are.
    Go to school, work hard, study hard, be somewhat educated, show you have ambition, and you will succeed, how much depends on you, timing, and luck. Again, No Matter What Damn Color You Are.
    Seems fair to me.
    Trust me, I am a white, huntin and fishin, blue jean and cowboy boot wearin, country boy. I am also the boss, and if you can do the job, the way I want it, and can help me turn a profit, then not only will I hire you, I will keep bringing you up the ladder, and I could careless what color you are.
    Please if you are to damn lazy to pull your own pants up, or tie your own shoe's, or look professional.
    Do Not Apply
  • u
    DapperDave
    !
    I couldn't find this "news story" on the website of a single major news outlet, including Fox News. That being said, I think this idea - IF IT'S TRUE - is absolutely ridiculous.
  • SFstyle
    !
    This is almost assuring that white supremist groups will have lots of followers when half of these children grow into adulthood and rebel.

  • View all 21 replies >

  • AntiPorcheria
    !
    @AlexMIA - It's getting so a white man can't go into a Starbucks and get a Grande Mochaccino with 2 espresso shots, whipped cream and just a dusting of nutmeg without someone commenting on the size of his wallet.
  • AlexMIA
    !
    @AntiPorcheria Anymore attoning and white people with have to undergo pigment surgery in order to get a fair shake, at the very least stock up on tanning pills and perms. LOL!

  • View all 20 replies >

  • MetaphorBreeze
    !
    Please inform me. Tell me what white privilege is. I'd like to understand this from another perspective because, honestly, to me, this seems more like racism.
  • Denizen_Kate
    !
    I agree, this goes too far and is basically teaching through negativity. When you ask a teenager to "... put a note on their mirror or computer screen to remind them of their "moral obligation" to subvert themselves" you're going to find that they either feel ashamed of something over which they have no control, or feel angry towards those very minorities about whom we are asking for their awareness. IMO this is not the way to foster understanding and acceptance.
  • Megthemimser
    !
    @MetaphorBreeze While I think that what these people are doing is extremely racist and potentially damaging, "white privilege" does exist. The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Florida State University (FYI not a liberal race baiting school) released a study in 2012 showing that the incarceration rate for Black and Hispanic males is 6 to 8 times higher than that of a White male when convicted of the same crime. That means that although they were all convicted and found guilty of the same crime, the minorities are more likely to face incarceration and while the Caucasian male gets a probationary sentence. Furthermore, the study shows that Hispanics and blacks receive considerably longer sentences for the same or lesser offenses per average than white offenders with equal or greater criminal records. There are a million other disparities if you take the time to look.

    At this point though I think we're leaning further away from privilege based on race and leaning more towards privilege based on class. I was called into jury duty to hear a case of a young man who had tried to rob a convenience store with his hand in his pocket like a gun and crashed his BMW into a pole. He sat in court, with his parents and lawyer, looking remorseful. He had simply gotten carried away with his college graduation and drank too much and did a stupid prank with his friends. I wasn't picked for the jury because I knew him indirectly through mutual friends, his parents are loaded and they live in an affluent area. When all was said and done, his cousin said that he got probation and charged with a DUI. He wasn't white, he was Persian. All I know is that if my brother tried the same thing he'd end up with a public defender and be in jail in heart beat.

    Here's some examples:
    Race privilege
    http://www.youtube.com/watch...

    Class privilege
    http://www.hulu.com/watch/149283
  • u
    KyleMFb
    !
    @MetaphorBreeze if you don't know what white privilege is than you need help but you are right white privilege is racist but its not a made up thing it's for real

  • View all 22 replies >

  • u
    Slowmo
    !
    Agreed. This is outrageous. Talk about passive aggressive hypocrisy. Making kids feel bad about being white. "You're kinda wrong for being white. Remember that and act like it." Ridiculous.
  • u
    Realthinker
    !
    @LGRepublican It's a variation of "You didn't build that". So, I have a nice home in a safe community because someone else worked three jobs to put himself through college? Someone else lived frugally in order to save for retirement? I am really, really tired of this crap.
  • AlexMIA
    !
    Can the white kids have a counter organization passing out white hoods? LOL!!! This is not the stupidest thing that could happen. The stupidest thing that will happen is that there will be white folks wearing the bracelets!
  • u
    AnnieO
    !
    @AlexMIA Oh I knew what you meant lol! I'm referring to the idea that a bracelet is needed at all. These kids know they are white (I hope, anyway).
  • Canoochee
    !
    Check with the people in Appalachia on how privileged they feel. While you're at it ask why the region is not overrun with crime. Poverty breeds crime according to the left and Appalachia is probably the poorest region in the US.
  • AlexMIA
    !
    You can't be implying these folks aren't smart? White folks introspective enough to realize their guilt are usually said to be some of the best and the brightest.
  • DerivePI
    !
    @AlexMIA - Anyone that wants to reduce the potential of the best of the brightest I would, at least, consider shortsighted. If someone wants to argue that white high school students are responsible for the failure rates of the black students, the high single parent black homes, or the high incarceration rate for blacks, I'll listen. But, my current understanding, is that the solution to these problems does not rest on whether white high school students feel guilty or not.

    A company is not more successful when it fires the best employees to placate the less industrious.
  • u
    MontanaJD
    !
    That is one thing I did not expect to see today on this site... A reference to Harrison Bergeron. Bravo to you! On a serious note, you hit the nail on the head. This is actually a prime living example of that great short story in action.
  • u
    MontanaJD
    !
    @DerivePI I was a high school English teacher for 2 years and taught that story to my students. I LOVE the message is sends and it resonated with my students.
  • ST_Louie_Sue
    !
    I'm white, straight, Christian and a female. I guess I should be REAL guilty of my English, Irish, German, Russian and Danish roots. Get over it folks.

    Say it loud "I'M WHITE AND I'M PROUD !!!
  • AMSCountryboy
    !
    I thought it was "just skin" right? "We are all the same on the inside" and all that crap right? The hypocracy is strong with thiese people. Racist is racist! Im Irish, German, and Itialian... whoops... i guess thats wrong of me somehow lol
  • MarkJM
    !
    @CharlieRosencr What privileges? I have to work hard all day and pay taxes just like any other responsible American. No special privileges for me. Meanwhile I see the group of "minorities" down the road living in "free" housing, talking on "free" cellphones, getting "free" money for their "food" and whatnot, I could go on and on. When I quote "free" that usually means that taxpayers such as myself paid for all that. And while white people game the system as well, at least to a degree they are thankful for it.

  • View all 19 replies >

  • AMSCountryboy
    !
    So it is not enough if you are not racist.... now we need to be ashamed for being white.... thats fantastic. I thought it was "just skin"?....F'n hypocrites. Iv never seen or benefited from "white privilege" in my life.
  • Ryuo
    !
    Sounds like Wisconsin needs to lay off a lot of educators. Increasing the level of racism is not going to do anything positive - better to stop feeding the hate and let it die.
  • Gtiallday
    !
    You didn't read the article did you? It's not supposed to make you proud of being white but instead it's supposed to make you feel guilty about being white. Quite frankly, I think this is beyond stupid.
  • o
    NTBFW
    !
    I want to be fair. I'm not real clear on white privilege. Can you explain it to me? I'm not looking for a fight but to make sure I understand what we are discussing.
  • u
    910disaster
    !
    @NTBFW I agree that this is stupid but teaching about white priviledge isnt about telling someone they are racist. This method is divisive, like the races arent divided enough. White Privilege is essentially built in affirmative action. Whites are advanced quicker by other whites in the workplace on the basis of common race alone. The good ole boy network...buddy system. Studies have shown this. Race inequality does exist. Whites are in power and make sure that they hand that power down to their own. In certain instances, immunity is granted due common skin color. It isnt obvious to most whites because you dont want to own it. Or maybe you dont want to let go of the advantage. Some white privilge is granted by minorities. ha! We reward you for being white too! Imagine that, yes...it happens. Why? Crap if I know.
  • CharlieRosencr
    !
    @910disaster thank you for explaining white privilege. People get too up in arms to understand what its really about! I actually think that the bracelets are a bold way to open a dialogue about race and privilege. It needs to be talked about and it needs to be corrected. Thank you for sharing!!
  • u
    910disaster
    !
    @CharlieRosencr Thanks. That was just my take on it. Im sure some would disagree. I just think there is an easier way...like talking...to open a dialogue about this issue. ITA, People do get all wired up and defensive about white privilge AND affirmative action. Thanks for your comment!:)
  • o
    NTBFW
    !
    @910disaster thanks for being honest. I don't think it's as much about being white as it is a clique mentality. It may be hard to see from your perspective and I understand. It's basically do we " know" them? And if they don't " know" you there is no chance you will ever be accepted in that group. White or black. But trust me it has to do with money more than race. Or if you blindly follow the rules. I know I sound like I'm defending this and I'm not. It's very similar to what happens to a black conservative. You know what I mean.
    I am a thorn in the side to the good old boy network here. I have as much money as they do. I know all there embarrassing secrets. And I don't follow their rules. I am a loud pushy woman that is on every committee, board and political fund raising group in the county. They tried to push me out and I kept pushing back.
    I call what you call white privilege GREEN privilege. They have the green. They want to make sure they keep all the green. I may be totally wrong about this and I may be the poster girl for white privilege and don't realize it. But on the subject of these bracelets we agree. They make things worse.

  • View all 12 replies >

  • u
    S-N-A-F-U
    !
    More insipid sophistry from the Left. I got a better idea....We already have Gay pride days, Black studies, along with black history month, and Feminist studies -- all to ingratiate and make one feel better about themselves where glaring deficits may exist. Why not White History month, so we too can feel better about ourselves? <wink> Then later we can compare histories and see who comes out ahead.....<Ouch!>
  • Megthemimser
    !
    The other 11 months are White history month. The whole reason the month was started was because kids where taught that Africa was devoid of any sort of advanced civilization. They were just "bone in the nose savages" who got lucky enough to be brought to America, albeit in an uncomfortable way. Seeing as none of that is true I don't think there's anything wrong with 25% of our nation taking a month to learn about their origins as well. Africa was not devoid of complex societies, technology, and culture. And I'm not just talking about Egypt. There were numerous Sub-Saharan kingdoms that flourished, traded with Europe and were seen as equals. The only reason that this outlook changed is because Europeans thought,"Hey why enslave our own people when there's a whole continent below us that has plenty of slaves to trade." They bought slaves from the African slavers and when that wasn't enough they enslaved the slaves and then plundered the land. Yeah Europe is ahead at this point, but it got there on the backs of others. You know its a lot easier to keep a slave when you teach them that they're nothing and they've always been nothing. The whole point of black history month is to teach kids that they are something, they came from something, and they can amount to anything they want.
  • u
    S-N-A-F-U
    !
    @Megthemimser

    I guess you missed my veiled sarcasm....

    I have yet to see a month set aside for White history, depicting accomplishments attained, instead we hear more about the denunciation, and how bad 'whitey' is in our dumbed down schools of indoctrination.

    However, referring to the subject matter at hand, I would never apologize for my caucasian and native American heritage, or for that matter, I would not allow any member of my family to fall prey to a meretricious game of race baiting. Nor should anyone subject themselves to this mendacious affront in attempting to put a guilt trip on young skulls full of mush for being white. I have the utmost respect for anyone that pulls himself up by his own boot-straps, regardless of ethnicity.

    Unfortunately, what happened in America regarding slavery is a sad note in our history. But of late, I know of no one in this country who owned slaves, or anyone in the black community that came over on the slave ship with Kunta Kente....'Nuff said.
  • Megthemimser
    !
    @S-N-A-F-U If I'm not mistaken, Western history, which we are all required to learn is a full account of White history, depicting accomplishments attained and all. We also take history classes all year long with no break in February. So unless you're telling me that Western Europeans are not White, then I'm pretty sure you have your 11 other months right there. It's not like I don't the high school history classes are suspended while we only learn about black people and Africa for a month.
    The only people you hear denouncing white people are the wackos that manage to find time on TV, just like the only vehemently racist white people are far and few between. I took ethnic history in college and it had nothing to do with degrading white people or making them feel guilty. In fact the majority of it was just learning about our nations history from the prospective of a minority and how they also played an integral role in the founding of our country.
    I do agree that no one should ever apologize for what color they were born whether it be white, black or green. What this organization is doing is inherently racist and potentially damaging to the children involved.
    Where you and I disagree is that fact that you think black people feel slighted because of slavery. At this point in history every culture has been enslaved at one point or another. Slavery was federally abolished in 1865 but the last slaves were not freed until 1945. When you refuse to pay a black person even $1 a day for labor, refuse to buy any of his products if he decides to start a business or farm, if you run him out of town because he was uppity enough to buy property in your neighborhood then slavery still exists, it was just called by a different name. If you were lucky enough you fled North or West, if you weren't you were just still a slave who was not able to marry who you choose and not have your children stripped from you. I dunno, but I'm pretty sure there are some people still alive that experienced that. It's been less than 50 years that minorities even had equal protection under the law.
  • Megthemimser
    !
    @S-N-A-F-U I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and made something of myself and I think anyone can if they try hard enough. I don't have anything against White people, I don't feel they owe me anything, other than the foot rub my pigmently challenged Hunbun still owes me. My problem is the fact that I got kicked in teeth the entire way up and still face bigoted stereotyping to this day. When I interviewed to enroll my child in preschools in my area a few people brushed me off and told me that they do not accept state daycare vouchers. I have never been on any sort of public assistance and have received nothing from the government besides federal student loans and he father has an excellent job. White single mothers comprise the highest demographic of those on welfare so I don't know where these people get off. In middle school I had friends' parents tell me that I was no longer welcome in their home because it was alright that we were friend when we were little but now that I'm older people "like me" tend to get more aggressive, more sexual, and they didn't want that kind of influence around their daughter. Never mind that it was their daughters tugging boys off behind the bleachers when I spent my time participating in educational extracurricular activites. My grandmother had battery acid poured on her face because she didn't get off the sidewalk fast enough when a white lady wanted to pass by; that was in 1965 and she was laughed away by the police when she sought justice. Did she get off the boat with Kunta Kente, nope, but I'm pretty sure she felt the sting of racism. Black people don't complain about slavery, they complain about the racism they face day to day, sometimes blatant, sometimes under guise.
    These days there isn't inequality in the opportunity to succeed so much as there is in the opportunity to fail. "White privilege" does exist. The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Florida State University (FYI not a liberal race baiting school) released a study in 2012 showing that the incarceration rate for Black and Hispanic males is 6 to 8 times higher than that of a White male when convicted of the same crime. That means that although they were all convicted and found guilty of the same crime, the minorities are more likely to face incarceration and while the Caucasian male gets a probationary sentence. Furthermore, the study shows that Hispanics and blacks receive considerably longer sentences for the same or lesser offenses per average than white offenders with equal or greater criminal records. There are a million other disparities if you take the time to look.
  • u
    S-N-A-F-U
    !
    @Megthemimser

    I applaud your dedication and perseverance in seeking a higher plain for yourself and your daughter. In MLK's - "I have a dream" speech, where he enunciated that his children (someday) would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Unfortunately, we won't see that happen in this burgeoning climate of class warfare, corruption and apathy which is part and parcel of our Godless and sick culture that promotes everything that Jesus Christ warned us of.
    This society is up-side down in a world that is currently controlled by Satan the Devil (2 Cor. 4:4)-- And won't be corrected until the approaching "appointed times" has been met....and so be it.
  • Knightkore
    !
    I'm confused, being Hungarian, Irish, & Spanish where do I fit in? In winter I am not as tan, in spring and summer I'm a darker tan.....would I have to wear an off-white bracelet? Seriously.....this is NOT any way to fight racism by always constantly bringing attention to the color of ones skin in order to divide and segregate.
  • Bobolinsky
    !
    Oh Joy! My tax money is being used in Wisconsin to teach kids that I and they (if they're white) are all racists simply because of the color of our skin.

    Oh the Irony! The race-based thinkers are getting Federal Money in order to accuse the rest of us of being rae-based thinkers.
  • DerivePI
    !
    @Knightkore I have thought a bit about Bizarro world and it just creates more questions. For instance, if red = green but green is perceived as red we'd be right back where we started. If the worst is considered the best, but wouldn't the best do the worst and the worst perform the best? Is a cube really the opposite of a sphere? Consider a sphere as an infinitely sided object then the least number of sides object would be (help me out you D&D people) a four sided pyramid. But a sphere is also consider a one sided object and the opposite of that would be an infinitely sided object - a sphere! Oh, man, I'm gonna have to move to Colorado to finish this discussion...

  • View all 16 replies >

  • AMSCountryboy
    !
    This is such bullshit! Whats next? I know! Lets have an elementry school assembly where all the white kids take turns saying how personally sorry they are to all the other kids..... they can say they are sorry for enslaving the little blake kids great great great great freaking grand pappy, and tell the little japanese kids how awful it was that that white people bombed their great grand parents..... oh and they gota tell the little indians (sorry... NATIVE AMERICANS) how (personally) sorry they are about the whole small pox and stealing their land thing.... then can just vomit myself to death
  • AMSCountryboy
    !
    Too bad i wrote that..... there is some stupid asshole in charge of a school somwhere who would love this idea... im sure of it
  • R Load more comments...