I am doing a project about the rhetoric of stereotypes, and...

[cloud_66]

As a white male, I'd just like to say that I have never knowingly done anything to keep down anyone of any race--and if I have, somehow, it was not because they were black, hispanic, mestizo, mongolian, or arab (or a woman, or gay, for that matter)--it was just a result of circumstances beyond my control caused by events set in motion at the

Comments

[cloud_66]

I appreciate having these priveleges, and wish everybody could, but I don't feel guilty about it.

[ksofm]

So I guess guilt isn't the appropriate response: it's a combination of (if we want to be honest) gratefulness based in a kind of schadenfreude (there, but for the grace of God, go I), combined with moral outrage at the existence of such systemic prejudice, and an earnest intention to not silently benefit from my privilege, but to acknowledge it, and lead the best and most ethically upright life I am capable of in such circumstances

[cloud_66]

Aye. I just try to be nice to everyone and judge people based on their actions rather than their color, culture, etc...even then, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt unless they're just total assholes. Truthfully that's all I can do--just be nice to people.