History is written into our education, and it cannot be erased — I’m looking at you, “Old Joe” supporters. White privilege is taught, and that’s not just in the U.S. I’m half white — my mother is the last generation in her Portuguese family. But racists, white supremacists or really any other person who doesn’t ask wouldn’t know that. I wear my colors proudly, and I have consequently been taught from birth that this skin color defines me.
Whiteness will continuously try to overpower my colored experiences and identities with the “one bad apple” talking point, so they should probably be reminded that systemic racism is prevalent not because there was one bad apple, but because there was a bad seed. Supporting a cause and being an ally retracts some meaning when one feels offended by another person’s experience, because it calls out systemic racism that has existed long before any of us were even alive.
It’s important for people to become allies. Intersectionality (also known as the opposition of discrimination of multiple identities no matter one’s race, sex, gender, orientation, class, etc.) uncovers the fact that at any given time, a person is more subject to discrimination the further they are from being a white male. In these changing times, and in a southern county that went blue last November, it is great to know how many people support different causes, and every day I learn of other experiences beyond my scope of privilege.
What has prompted me to speak on this matter? Like any other angry, man-hating woman who gets labeled as such for speaking out, I am motivated to stand up because of the series of contemporary events that affect those who are often unable to be heard because their privilege is incomparable.
This isn’t about white people; this is about whiteness.
This is about whiteness like Taylor Swift’s — a rich, female celebrity — who is privileged enough because she can afford (in all senses of the word) not to attend the Women’s March on Washington and get by with a simple tweet in “support.” This is about whiteness like James Charles’ — the first male CoverGirl brand ambassador — who is privileged enough to make a joke relating the entirety of Africa to the Ebola virus. This is about whiteness like President Donald Trump’s, a “politician” who got to where he is because his hate preached to privilege that sees color from one election to the next. We’ve come full circle.
The history “Old Joe” represents is one claimed to be stemming from southern pride, although I know many Floridians who are proud of their dwelling and taste something sour at the thought of being considered hailing from the Confederacy. It is clear that cities like Gainesville have outgrown the old pride that involved creating an economy from the exploitation and utter dehumanization of people, beginning with slavery and the centuries of systemic racism to follow. The way that some speak over others is entirely unacceptable, and it absolutely stems from privilege.
While the previous examples hit home in the U.S., privilege won’t always quite understand that whiteness is the foundation for many things in many parts of the world.
As I grew up watching telenovelas on Univision, the only Hispanic channel available in Illinois, it became evident that white actors were chosen for every role that owned la hacienda (the plantation). The indigenous actor wore a knit shawl, a straw hat and had their black hair tied up. Bollywood sees predominantly light-skinned lead performers, and light skin over dark skin has become part of an assessment when it comes to romance throughout different cultures.
Speaking over another experience is the premise of privilege. Learning to support and not oppress can become bigger than it is.
Karla Arboleda is a journalism and international studies senior at UF. Her column appears on Tuesdays.
