Thinking Piece #8: Wise Reading

Tim Wise:Whites Swim in Racial Preference

Premise:

• Color
• Action
• Pride
• Advantages
• Whites
• Blacks
• Differences
• Privilege
• Treatment

Authors Argument:

Tim Wise argues that because of “racial preference” whites never truly realize/realized how privileged they are in our society. It is up to the whites to finally realize that they are privileged and finally act upon it so that everyone is finally truly treated equal.

Evidence:

1. “While many whites seem to think the notion originated with affirmative action programs, intended to expand opportunities for historically marginalized people of color, racial preference how actually had a long and very white history” (1) Wise is stating that whites always seem to believe that they are among many other colors whom are privileged, when in fact it is proven that through out history those whom live privileged lives are whites.

2. “White families , on average, have a net worth that is 11 times the net worth of black families, according to a recent study; and this gap remains substantial even when only comparing families of like size, composition, education, and income status” (1) This is one of many ways Wise proves that statistics prove that whites are privileged. Even though two families are similar when it comes to their income, education, and family size, the white family is still making more net worth just because of their skin color.

3. “So long as those privileges remain firmly in place and the preferential treatment that flows from those privileges continues to work to the benefit of whites, all talk of ending affirmative action is not only premature but a slap in the face to those who have fought, and died , for equal opportunity” (3). Wise strongly states that since whites still do not see how they are living a privileged life it is slapping all the faces of all of our great historians that were of color that have fought for equal rights. It needs to be recognized and prevented!

Questions/ Comment/Points to Share:

This article was very eye opening and an easy read. I really enjoyed how Wise included a lot of true data to help get his point across without including too much of it. It just made me think of our discussion in last Thursdays class when Matt pointed out that we are privileged as whites but when it comes to colleges and SAT type of materials minorities seem to benefit. This article was a great read!