Schwarting CAPS Blog #1: Whiteness

 

Every person is born with a clean slate.  Our minds are free of prejudice, violence and pain.  Then, society happens.  We live in a world where people step on each other to get to the top.  We make up stereotypes to separate ourselves from one another and give us a competitive advantage in life.  Whiteness used to be a privilege, but is it anymore? Some young people believe whiteness is a liability and that they are denied opportunities that are given to minorities (Martin & Nakayama, 2012).  Even though whiteness is perceived to be a privilege, a lot of negative connotations go along with it.  The blog, Stuff White People Like, points out the flaws of whiteness in a humoring, a-ha way.

The posts that stood out to me in the blog, Stuff White People Like, were #14-Having Black Friends, #17-Hating their Parents and #60-Toyota Prius.  All of these posts include how white people only do these things to make their selves look better.  The common perception of white people through these blogs is that they are self-driven. 

The post, #14-Having Black Friends, stood out to me because this is probably the number one way white people believe they cannot be classified as a racist.  A white person wants to be friends with a specific type of black person though.  A white person wants to be friends with a “good-looking, well-spoken, and non-violent black person” (Clander, #14 Having Black Friends, 2008).  Because stereotypes and racism usually operate on an unconscious level, they are always reminding themselves to reject them (Martin & Nakayama, 2012). So, white people believe if they have black friends, only ones that act white though, then people won’t accuse them of being racist.

The next post, #17-Hating their Parents, is another one that instantly clicked for me.  I believe that people build a common ground by sharing the same hatred for someone.  “A great way to build a white person’s trust is to ask them about their parents” (Clander, #17 Hating thier Parents, 2008). White kids hold a common prejudice over their parents. Even if you love your parents, you can’t say that to someone because like the utilitarian function, “it is easier to share those attitudes, rather than risk rejection by contradicting their attitudes” (Martin & Nakayama, 2012, p. 213).

The last post, #60-Toyota Prius, tells of how white people only do things that benefits themselves.  They only buy a Prius to show that they are saving the environment and look cool doing it.  Some people believe that white people are only motivated by their self-will.  They only volunteer because it makes them feel good.  Not because they actually want to help feed people at the homeless shelter.  One who does good for the environment or people, is trying to build up their identity.  “We expect others to express certain fixed qualities” (Martin & Nakayama, 2012, p. 216).  If people have the same qualities as us, then we associate with them and are apart of their cultural group.

Race is always going to be addressed.  Whether you are prejudice or stereotype a certain race or not, you are always going to see a color. 

Unfortunately, we are not colorblind and never will be.  You will always have to check a box stating what your race is on a survey. Some people say being a majority is almost harder these days then being a minority.  There is no right or wrong on the way you think, as long as everyone is treated with respect.  This theory of whiteness has opened my eyes in seeing everyone’s point of view. As I move on with my communication, I will be more aware of all groups.  Not just minorities, but everyone.  Everyone is an individual that should not be classified in a certain way.  It shows that in the end, we are all stereotyping one another.  I hope someday we celebrate the differences between us instead of criticize them. 

Clander. (2008, January 23). #14 Having Black Friends. Retrieved from Stuff White People Like: http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/01/21/14-having-black-friends/

Clander. (2008, February 22). #17 Hating their Parents. Retrieved from Stuff White People Like: http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/01/22/16-hating-your-parents/

Clander. (2009, January 11). #60 Toyota Prius. Retrieved from Stuff White People Like: http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/02/07/60-toyota-prius/

Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2012). Intercultural Communication in Contexts (6th edition). Boston, MA: McGraw Hill.