DeVry University
Professor Winters
Week 2- Advanced Composition
5/17/15
Racism in the form of Privilege and Advantage
In What is Racism, the article explores how racial privilege and advantage are both socially acceptable in American society.
Racism in America today is not exactly the racism that existed sixty years ago. Even though it may not be as overt; a racialized society still exists in a subtler form. Of course, there are isolated acts of insensitivity and bigotry. But on a much deeper level, “racism is a system of racially conferred –and denied privilege, advantage, benefits and status” (Diversity Employers, 2013, p. 52-53). Unfortunately, race determines life experiences, career opportunities and academic prospects. Hence from a racial perspective, one group has better economic, social and psychological advantages over the other. This is an unspoken inequality which reflects how one racial group is socially privileged while the other group is ostracized. While white Americans enjoy the benefits of unearned advantage, influence, and privilege, people of color are at a disadvantage because they do not share those same opportunities. “These advantages range from greater ease in hailing a taxi, the ability to relocate to any area they can afford, easier opportunities in obtaining positions of social influence or political power, or the likelihood that their race will not deter them from an employment opportunity or any other social situations” (Diversity Employers, 2013, p. 53). In summary, racism is not only about deliberate acts of malice or violence but is also an informal prejudice that falls under the guise of privilege. This privilege goes undetected because it has become such a fabric of society and is seen everywhere including business, sports, politics and the media. Although we are not conditioned to view these benefits as privileges; we are accustomed to seeing advantage as being...