Disaffected.citizen wrote:Not just in the US; we suffer similarly in the UK.
Contemplate the diversity and anti-discrimination laws in place to protect "minorities"; then consider their application. There is only one "minority" to whom they are dismissed and denied - the white heterosexual male - if they don't tick a box, they're not covered. It's a hidden bias because nobody considers them to be "a minority" or that they can suffer from discrimination or bias.
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Disaffected.citizen wrote: Jim wrote: If you look at a picture of a gathering of political or business leaders in the US, you will see a big majority of white heterosexual males. Sure, some have a bias against the ruling class. Statistically, it's justified, but not against individuals.
The fact that the majority of a group is formed from one minority or another hides the fact that those individuals are from a minority. When last I looked, white heterosexual males formed less than 50% of whichever society in which they lived - think carefully about the demographics.
I will admit that there are virtually no
specific legal protections in place that spell out "white heterosexual male" as a
protected class, and I also admit that I'm not really privy to the culture of our society as a whole past that of Appalachia, so with that in mind, I understand that my view on this
is somewhat limited and narrow. But I can say, that in the area I've lived for basically my entire life, there does seem to be a certain "straight white privilege" present. Being a self proclaimed "Christian" or at least "Christian friendly" doesn't hurt either.
It's nothing you can really spell out in an official poll, or statistic because the culture is largely underground, yet ironically, "right under your nose" at the same time.
For basically my entire life, prior to 2015 (when I started wearing skirts), I basically looked like your typical southern white guy, and as a result of which, I have been a witness to on countless occasions discussion and banter that typically only takes place between other straight white guys, each who assume are "cool" with each other. I still witness this to the present day, though only in trouser mode (i.e. among certain customers at work), and I can tell you this for certain, as I've been a witness to it for as long as I've been an adult:
PLEASE NOTE: On the points below I will not elaborate on names, or companies in question. My aim here is not to be some "whistle blower", rather to simply illustrate that straight white privilege does exist, and there does seem to be somewhat of a "bro-code" (for lack of a better term) where straight, Christian [0] whites do tend to look out for one another, and when these certain ones get in positions of authority (such as in the case of supervisor or hiring manager), they do tend to favor their own kind.
- There is an anti-gay (homosexual) rhetoric that takes place among many men and women in informal settings. I've witnessed it prior to 2015 first hand, not so much after, but I suspect that's because those I worked with were afraid to speak of such things in my presence as I was now considered of "a protected class".
- I have seen lesbians favored by male hiring managers for the sole reason that "he thought it was hot".
- The "N" word is still used A LOT among both white men and women when no other social minorities (black, any other race, or anyone who they'd deem as "liberal") are around. And yes, it is said in a context of "we are better than them"
- Yes, I have worked with supervisors in the past who didn't hire a man because he was black, or a woman because he thought the job applied for was "a mans job".
- Yes, I have seen a department of men grumble at the notion of having a "female boss", and later gravitate to comments like "wonder who she had to blow to get that job?".
- Though not recently (mainly because the jobs I've had in the last 10 years were mostly male dominated), but I have worked in plants where women were constantly hounded for sexual favors. I've seen this bust up quite a few marriages. Jenn can also testify to this, back when she used to work, she'd come home constantly complaining of other male co-workers and customers soliciting her for sex.
- Muslim? Forget it. It will be difficult for you to find a job, especially entry level, unless you have some skills already under your belt and keep your religion on the down low. (Note: Other non-Christians (i.g. Pagan, Hindu, Jewish, etc) as well as atheist and agnostics do not seem to suffer from this to the extent that Muslims do)
- There are a few other key occurrences I've witnessed first hand that I don't even want to discuss further.
But yes, straight white privilege does exist. Now I'm not saying things like "protected classes" and other programs like "affirmative action" are the solution, but I will say that we do have a problem in this society and we have to work towards a solution. Really, if people would just stop
judging one another, that would eliminate at least half our social problems overnight!
Oh... and a BIG SOLAR FLARE to knock out all of those God forsaken TV satellites (ALL OF THEM) in orbit broadcasting all of that trash back to the planet. If more people would turn off their TV, walk across the street and visit their neighbors, I believe most of the other half of our social problems would be eliminated.
We don't need more laws, what we need is more love, and you can't legislate that -- that's up to us.
[0] "Christian", as in those who play the religion for worldly gain. Christians who were true to the message of Christ, by its own virtue could not be prejudiced, or would at least endevour not to be by constant self assessments and improvements.
Edit: corrected a typo that was bugging me