We hear a lot about “white privilege” from minority groups who are seeking a dominant position within the political system. The accusation comes on the heels of the legal theory that racial bias is inherent in the justice system and the minorities cannot get a fair trial in a political system dominated by the white majority. One has only to look at the percentages of whites, blacks, and Hispanics in the penal system to see there is probably some merit to that theory. Unfortunately for daily interaction, those with racial political agendas will use that theory as a club to beat everyone over the head and shoulders to demonstrate their superiority.
The white privilege argument is because of our “whiteness” we have some sort of advantage in life that a minority can never overcome. For most of the middle class who have to compete every day, this is kind of a nonsensical argument, but there are always those who will use it, as well as those who will believe a minority is getting an “unfair” step up through some sort of reverse discrimination. This is pretty much in keeping with the human traits of personal bias and opportunism.
Of course, there are those in our “classless” society who believe they are privileged and who do look on the world and see it as their responsibility to bring those poor unfortunate minorities along so they may prosper as they do. Just not quite as well as they do, but still better than those others who aren’t as good as them. They claim to buy into all the social justice issues and strive to do all the socially progressive things. So long as those poor hapless minorities remain supportive of their ruling class.
Let’s review how that philosophy is working out in what we view as the cultural and economic center of the country, New York City.
You might remember a few years ago as the government tried to get a handle on street crime in the city, so the businessmen/women and the tourists felt safe and would spend their dollars. They implemented a policy called “stop and frisk.” Unfortunately, for the liberal politicians, the majority of those stopped, frisked and arrested turned out to be black youth who was somehow suspicious by their being black youth and little else. The discrimination of this policy became so onerous that the current Mayor actually had to call a halt to avoid riots in the city, and the former Mayor (Bloomberg) had to kind of apologize before he was allowed to continue his failed campaign for President.
Fast forward to today, where “social distancing” is all the rage, and the liberal white politicians, who know better than anyone how to govern fairly and equitably are implementing those policies that will keep everyone safe from a virus they don’t fully understand, but one that allows them to enforce rules that are at times draconian.
It seems like they are returning to the same mindset they thought was such a good idea with “stop and frisk” where the police are now arresting anyone they feel is not social distancing responsibly. Unfortunately, it appears to be implemented with exactly the same social dynamic where the majority of those arrested are minorities (i.e. African-American). It is almost as if those liberal white politicians can’t understand that the privilege that got them the limos and bodyguards are not available to the poorest in the city, and running a city isn’t the same thing as running a plantation. JMO
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