Tim Wise’s Talk Summary
White privilege specialist Tim Wise discusses its origins and consequences in a video named The Pathology of White Privilege. The knowledge and ideas that Tim Wise shared are voiced by individuals of racial backgrounds. Throughout his talk, he discusses several main themes, including the elimination of politics and culture, white denial, white privilege, the invention of whiteness, and the duty and guilt of being white.
Government Policies and the Creation of White Wealth
When comparing the typical wealth of white and black families, a huge gap can be seen, with white families having twelve times as much money retained as black families. According to Tim Wise, the accumulation of white wealth can be attributed to the policies implemented during the 20th century. During the mid-20th century, Caucasian households were able to obtain property through the utilization of FHA or VA loans (A. Schwartz, 2018). Historically, loans were inaccessible to individuals of color while simultaneously providing white households with assets and equity worth hundreds of billions of dollars. After several decades, families who received loans from the “big government” have seen their assets grow into sizable fortunes, creating white wealth.
“Handouts” vs. “Nation Building”: Three Key Examples
Another form of racial stigma is seen in the different interpretations of the terms “handouts” and “nation-building”, although they mean essentially the same thing. Both terms describe a helping hand, but in distinct ways. White people are lauded as “nation-building,” while people of race are associated with ” handouts.”
One example of a “handout recipient” is an individual of race who depends on public assistance just to get by. If a White individual needs welfare, this is seen as an expenditure for the greater good of society. An early instance of what could be considered “nation-building” can be seen in the 17th century when white European employees were largely granted property (A. Schwartz, 2018). Calling a person of race “looking for a handout” is a derogatory term that implies they are dependent on public assistance. An example of what Wise said, it is not seen as a search for a subsidy when White families who live paycheck to paycheck file for FHA and VA-type loans to purchase houses.
Consequences of Racial Disparities in Health Care and Housing
Concerning healthcare, Tim Wise references a study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2004 that analyzed a decade’s worth of excess mortality data for African Americans spanning from 1991 to 2000 (A. Schwartz, 2018). According to the research, evidence suggests that one million black individuals in the United States have experienced premature mortality. These deaths could have been avoided if they had been white and had access to the same healthcare quality.
According to Wise, an estimated two to three million individuals of color are subjected to housing discrimination based on their race annually (A. Schwartz, 2018). Moreover, the degree of exposure to toxic substances is significantly greater in communities inhabited by individuals of black and brown racial backgrounds than those of white racial backgrounds.
Employment Inequities Between People of Color and Whites
When it comes to occupational experiences, Wise asserts that individuals belonging to marginalized groups do not possess the luxury of being unconcerned about the impact of their conduct in professional environments, unlike their white counterparts. According to the speaker, individuals of African descent are frequently subjected to scrutiny and doubt regarding their professional status (A. Schwartz, 2018). The absence of racial discrimination gives white individuals a distinct advantage in a competitive societal context, as it is frequently the determining factor between achieving success and experiencing failure.
Tim Wise’s Credibility in Discussing Racism
Tim Wise makes it clear that the fact that he can deliver this talk and be taken seriously have nothing to do with his qualifications. He claims it is not attributed to being the most knowledgeable person in the nation on racism and white privilege or an outstanding speaker or writer. Instead, he is taken seriously because he fits the aesthetic and has that privilege that is just what is required on far too many college campuses and local communities across the nation. White privilege is what makes Wise credible when he discusses racism, whereas a person of color would be under scrutiny for bringing up prejudice.
Reference
A. Schwartz. (2018). Tim Wise “The Pathology of White Privilege“ [Video]. YouTube. Web.