White Like Me

Tim Wise's chapter "Privilege" is a collection of stories and instances from his life where he feels he has felt more privileged than blacks. He describes how being white was beneficial and a bonus in every situation, that if he was black he would be treated more differently and harsher. He talks about his experience at elementary school and how racism was still evident, even if he didn't notice it right away.  It was there, and would always be present no matter the age or no matter how hard someone tried to ignore the difference of race. But what I found intriguing was that the colored students noticed the racism because they lived through it. Wise reflected upon that one day at recess when he played monkey in the middle football and said, "They were able to make me not only a nigger, but their nigger. . . Today Tim, you the nigger. Today, you will be the one who gets to jump and run, and huff and puff. Today we laugh, and not with you, but at you. We like you and all that, but today, you belong to us" (26). His friends had those few moments of power each time they played, but for the rest of their lives the power was instilled within the whites. That was the reality though. Whites unconsciously thought more highly of themselves and unconsciously didn't recognize racism at a young age like blacks. Wise thought of it as a privilege to be white, he got the better "version" of life, so to speak.

As Wise grew older, the idea of white superiority became more pronounced. He clearly saw that it was a privilege to be white, but here is where I disagree. He shared how drama and the debate club were mainly white and how the white teams were overall better. This may be true at instances, but I feel as if he looked too much into both experiences. Not to be stereotypical, but not that many blacks act or are on the debate team. There obviously are some blacks in both activities, but the majority are white. Therefore, white actors usually get the lead roles, which I believe is not racist. Tim Wise had a passion for acting, was good at it, and grew up with his dad as an actor by his side. Thus, he was the lead roles in plays. And for the debate team, blacks usually don't enter into this type of activity. However, there are black teams that are successful. The all black Wiley College Debate team of the 1930s beat the top white debate team due to their drive, determination, passion, and motivation. The Wiley College Debate Team just shows how race does not matter at some instances and that anyone can be successful if they work towards it.

What I agree with and find intriguing is that Wise was correct about police action regarding drugs and alcohol. I find that many police officers remain stereotypical and would pull over a beat up car, believing a black man was inside driving. I find it very true and unfair to blacks that officers treat blacks this way, but I guess they are just trying to keep the community safe. It may seem racist to say this, but blacks do seem to be in more crimes than whites. Therefore, I find the officers' actions to be justifiable. I am not racist, but I do prefer whites over blacks. Key word used - PREFER. As Wise shared, many others feel the same way. I guess being white did give him an advantage when he was under the influence, which I find unfair. Police officers should not have let him or his friends go, but hold back the blacks. I would find it more reasonable if they arrested both, but more readily or often blacks. But to let them off the hook is dangerous because they could be just as big of a threat as a black man. I feel as if police officers today are much more fair and do not bypass whites as easily. If they break the law, the break the law. They are more strict, but I do believe that Wise's experiences still circulate the air today, just not as often. Whites are still let off the hook more than blacks, but I guess its just a part of life, a part of racism. I do not believe racism will ever disappear fully and I do not believe this white privilege will ever diminish either. That is the sad reality, but we can always try.