Privileged by Kyle Korver

[JazzyFresh]

People make the same ****ing arguments that I have seen responded to a million times on this site! "Oh, all whites are privileged?? How about this guy??". It's been responded to over and over and over.

Some people just don't give a **** I suppose.

I have privileges because I'm white. Now what? What did that just solve?

Im genuinely asking. I have tons of privileges. My nephew has down syndrome. I live in a country where food and water are plentiful. Other countries kids have to walk miles for a drink of water. Slavery still exist in some of these countries. I have a job and a place to live.

I am extremely privileged. What did that just change? While privileged I still have my own problems, so I find it hard to find the time to save other people. So while I admit I'm privileged according to my skin pigment, I see no solution in that. I dont see how it helps. I think we need to break down these barriers somehow.

I'm one of the nicest dudes I know. While I may get into some stupid name calling on these forums, I treat everyone face to face with respect and genuinely love people no matter their privileges or lack thereof. Personally that's what I can do imo.

 

[Jazz Spazz]

Well, they did set up a safe space for conservatives in the General Discussion forum.

= you saying "shut up"

Not all conversation is productive.

Very true, proven by your response.

The latter position does not deserve respect.

I can vouch for your feeling that many people's positions do not deserve respect.

Thank you for proving that you actually do tell people to shut up.

I'm going to hang up and listen.

 

[One Brow]

Question again on accountability. Does Hip hop, gangster, and rap mentality help to place certain members of races in a more problematic position. I'm saying this because as an boss I don't want my employees listening to rap music. I believe it empowers deviant behavior. Coming from someone who in high school listened to rap. I'm also throwing this out when I was a missionary in Houston we had some Cuban refugees come to the area. They got set up with jobs etc. When they first came they were humble. Then after like 4 months the teenagers were bumping rap dressing like little thugs. They had completely changed.

I think this is why racism has resurfaced because of post 9-11 creating a culture of hate. Rightwing fearmongering you can hear it in rap lyrics with rules and polices. Thoughts?

To my understanding (I don't listen to any of these), there are positive messages in hip-hop/rap music and negative messages, positive messages in country-western music and negative messages, positive messages in death metal music and negative messages. However, you have only mentioned one of these three. I can't tell you why that is, but that's something you need to ask yourself and think about, if you want to be as enlightened as you seem to be trying to be.

As for the Cuban teenagers, it seems to me that people choose music that reflects their inner selves, rather than adjust their inner selves to their music. Whatever the situation that caused them to be refugees in the first place, it probably created a lot of anger or resentment, and they found an echo to that in their music of choice. The real question is did it interfere with their ability to function (go to school, get work, etc.)? If not, why would it be an issue at all?

 

[One Brow]

I won't say "white privilege" doesn't exist but look at the Jussie Smollett thing. He has privilege in the city of Chicago.

Celebrities have privilege. Wealthy people have privilege. Had Smollett been poor and unknown, he'd be facing a trial for that stunt, and going to jail.

It's also pretty sad when someone tries to create racism because the supply doesn't meet the demand. The demand for racism is what really should upset us all.

I'm not sure Smollett cared at all about racism or anti-homosexual bigotry. Seems like he was just trying to get more noticed.

 

[Mission Accomplished]

I think it’s a way of people telling their stories and experiences. Why do they say what they say?

I believe that it has origins of story telling. But, when gangster rap came along it totally romanticizes the thug life. Even in songs that are shinning a light on the problems in their neighborhoods they are speaking from a sunk place. Like the song Gangster Paradise or Changes by 2Pac listen to the lyrics. There are plenty of former rappers and athletes that go to mentor or invest in their communities. But, growing up with rap is one form pushing young kids towards the street life can't be helpful. When I have temps show up to my job that are acting like wannabe gangsters unless they change their attitudes they don't last long.

Sent from my SM-N960U using JazzFanz mobile app

 

[One Brow]

Sorry. I cant do the all or nothing white privilege thing.

Good. Neither is anyone else.

Surely not every white person experiences white privilege, right? I tried to ask One Brow about this before but could never get to the bottom of it. He just danced around the issue.

Did I? Seems like I would answer every white person gets white privilege. That doesn't change that there are other types of privilege (male, straight, cis, tall, wealth, able, deep voice, Christian, early riser, mental calmness, etc.) which not every white person has.

There is nuance, or different levels to this isnt there?

Depending on the situation and the other levels of privilege, sometimes you can get more benefits from your privilege than others.

In what way does this white man have a better life than this black man?

For all we know, if the black man has severe depression and the white man does not, the white man may actually enjoy his life more.

For a more tangible way, if both in the driver's seat of a car, the white guy is less likely to get pulled over for being in the wrong neighborhood.

 

[One Brow]

I’ll agree that the majority of people that say they were the victim of racism were. But the % is an unknown. And it’s ebough to warrant looking at every case by the details

I certainly agree that we should never abandon skepticism.

 

[One Brow]

You cant beat my logic. That's why you wont answer.

I dont even have to use an extreme example. Just an ordinary example.

White guy, no dad. Grew up very poor. In and out of jail. Got addicted to heroin. Overdoses. Has health problems. Dies at 25.

Black guy. Grew up in above average household income status. College paid for. Both parents. Becomes an engineer and has 4 kids. Has a good life. Lives to 89

Does the white guy still have some unfair advantage over the black guy.

Some? Yes. Overall? Probably not.

Or is it just easier to not think about how different things are from one person to the next?

Privilege in one area does not guarantee an easy life, just easier than not having the privilege.

 

[One Brow]

I think we should change the wording from white privilege to structural racism. Built into areas of color or poor areas. Because if you are white in these areas your privilege isn't necessarily going to help you overcome your area. In this case the government has created certain priorities and privileges for minorities and women that disadvantage whites. But, that is why investing in these areas are key with good jobs and good schools. Without those opportunities these communities will continue to struggle.

I agree with much of your post. I will just say that "white privilege" is a descriptive term for the way whites don't feel the oppression under structural racism. I agree that "white privilege" is an insufficient term for discussing structural racism overall, but it is useful for the more limited context.

 

[Mission Accomplished]

To my understanding (I don't listen to any of these), there are positive messages in hip-hop/rap music and negative messages, positive messages in country-western music and negative messages, positive messages in death metal music and negative messages. However, you have only mentioned one of these three. I can't tell you why that is, but that's something you need to ask yourself and think about, if you want to be as enlightened as you seem to be trying to be.

As for the Cuban teenagers, it seems to me that people choose music that reflects their inner selves, rather than adjust their inner selves to their music. Whatever the situation that caused them to be refugees in the first place, it probably created a lot of anger or resentment, and they found an echo to that in their music of choice. The real question is did it interfere with their ability to function (go to school, get work, etc.)? If not, why would it be an issue at all?

I'm confused by what you are saying what types of lifestyles are country and metal promoting? They are hardly talking about making money selling drugs, disrespecting women, shooting others, or trying to be the toughest. Now all rap songs do not include these things. But, a bigger percentage of rap celebrates this verse any other genre of music.

Now I listened to rap for a while in high school. I turned out fine like the majority of people that listen to it. People can call that white privilege but I believe it has more to do with where I live. Because of where I live and opportunities closer to me there was less change of me trying to mimic the lyrics. If you are living in a rougher neighborhood this celebrates poor behavior. More likely a chance to fall victim of the cycle of poor choices.

Look at our problem attracting free agents. Why does Utah have a problem? Because we are boring? Boring without the club scenes that have place multimillionaires like Adam Jones out of the NFL. Or boring because you don't need a gun (even though now the Right is worshipping guns and fear you might) that have ended careers of the likes of many multimillionaires athletes.

Sent from my SM-N960U using JazzFanz mobile app

 

[One Brow]

= you saying "shut up"

To be clear, I welcome your conversation any time you feel you can manage joining in. While we often disagree, you give every impression of wanting to be a better person (just as I want to be a better person).

I'm only trying to recognize that you find me off-putting and don't want to engage me, so I mentioned an opportunity for that to happen. It's up to you to take it or not.

Thank you for proving that you actually do tell people to shut up.

I thought that encouraging you to speak in location you found safe was the opposite of telling you to shut up.

Do you believe that every opinion that anyone has is worthy of a long, lengthy debate and to be treated as a legitimate opinion to have? Or, are you objecting to style?

 

[One Brow]

I believe that it has origins of story telling. But, when gangster rap came along it totally romanticizes the thug life.

Do you feel the same way about gangster movies like The GodFather?