Recently got into a twitter argument with my horribly liberal cousin and her friends. They're all people of color, and talking about white privilege. Well I for one, am sick and tired of people like that telling me I have it better than them. Yes I'm not on welfare, affordable health care, or food stamps but that does not mean I have "white privilege."
When my mother was going through her divorce at the age of 20-years-old, she needed government assistance. She was on food stamps to be able to afford my baby formula, and food for her. She paid for in-home daycare so she could go to school to provide for her and I. --- THAT MY FRIEND IS WHY AID IS HERE FOR US!!! NOT TO ABUSE IT THE WAY IT IS NOW!!
In my life I have experienced racism more than the media would like you to think. When I was eight years old, at my cousins house, who is biracial with Thai and white, she lived in a military base and her friends in her neighborhood were black. Well when I was there, I went to go play with her and her friends at the friends house. As soon as I walked in to go play, the little girls father said to me, and my cousin, "who let this cracker in my house?" No I'm not making this up, because I didn't know it was bad until I asked my mom and dad (he adopted me) what cracker meant. That was my first experience with feeling hatred.
Now in my life, I experience it at school. I am in the School of Journalism and Broadcasting, and when I applied for scholarships my freshmen year, then again did not experience "white privilege." When searching all scholarships for broadcasting for white students you had to have an essay, two recommendation letters, AND a 3.2 GPA. while the Hispanic, and black and Asian requirements weren't even as close to difficult of achieving. I felt so low, and so bad that I was an average student.
The system isn't built to prevent anyone of creating a better life for themselves, though it is difficult, it is up to you to make it through the challenges.
I AM A WHITE AMERICAN AND REALLY PROUD. <-- No one can take that away from me.
I WORK HARD AND REALLY PROUD. <-- No one can take that away from me.
I RECEIVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND TREATMENT. <-- YOUR attitude CAN take that away from me.
I hold myself accountable to not be another statistic, to not be someone who allows the media to control my feelings, thoughts, opinions and life.
Today I experienced racism through twitter, for being white. For those who don't think it happens, I had a puerto rican American, Black American, and a Thai mixed American attack me, for defending myself when I said not all white people inherit "white privilege," not all white people are handed things. I know I'm not.
Great example of a black man choosing not to be, Republican Candidate for President of these United States, Dr. Ben Carson. He was born in Detroit Michigan, single mother of three boys. She chose to not let her boys be apart of the statistics. He lived the American dream. Went to the best schools, because he worked hard, became a successful pediatric neurosurgeon because of hard work. Now hes running for President.
Not everyone has to be the victim, not everyone has privilege over everyone, unless you were born into it. (well there's even exceptions to that statement)
I AM MIDDLE CLASS AMERICAN CITIZEN WHO HAS STUDENT LOAN DEBT AND I AM DAMN PROUD OF WHERE I AM FROM, AND WHERE I AM GOING!
-M
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