deepundergroundpoetry.com
White Privilege
is being able to wake up in America
and not fear losing one's life
because of their skin color—
that is my privilege
I thought I understood
because I was bullied by whites
for being an ignorant little bitch
who played with black kids
during recess in Mississippi
I thought I recognized
an acidic smell of racism
on the breath of British children
screaming, Yankee go home!
in England
I thought I swallowed
the copper taste of inequality
shoved down my throat
because of nationality in Mexico
I did not—and neither can you
if you aren't black in America;
but, you can learn problematic facts
which led to this eruption—
dispel ingrained ignorance
and fight the unjust reality
that is White Privilege
prevailing in this country
~
and not fear losing one's life
because of their skin color—
that is my privilege
I thought I understood
because I was bullied by whites
for being an ignorant little bitch
who played with black kids
during recess in Mississippi
I thought I recognized
an acidic smell of racism
on the breath of British children
screaming, Yankee go home!
in England
I thought I swallowed
the copper taste of inequality
shoved down my throat
because of nationality in Mexico
I did not—and neither can you
if you aren't black in America;
but, you can learn problematic facts
which led to this eruption—
dispel ingrained ignorance
and fight the unjust reality
that is White Privilege
prevailing in this country
~
Written by
Ahavati
(Tams)
Published 5th Jun 2020
Author's Note
#Blacklivesmatter
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 25
reading list entries 13
comments 47
reads 948
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
Re. White Privilege
5th Jun 2020 2:45pm
I don't understand why people put importance on skin color and why being white skinned is a privilege for some. I guess this is why people even in Asian countries would go to so much length to have a fair if not white skin.
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
6th Jun 2020 3:06pm
I don't understand it either, summer. It's so ingrained in certain societies that whites are a superior species, when that could not be farther from the truth.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Re: Re. White Privilege
6th Jun 2020 3:43pm
Could it be because whitemen were the colonizers and those societies who were ruled by them will always look at them as a superior race. And colonial mindset is ingrained in most Asians.
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
6th Jun 2020 4:17pm
That is a great question, Summer. The white man has certainly taken his share of land and lives belonging to indigenous populations in the name of a God whose philosophy he himself doesn't follow. I watched something recently that had a comment that was so profound to me personally in regards to black oppression: Shackles are so much stronger in the mind than than on the body.
You are so right in that if a child is born under oppression, he is more likely to fear speaking out or rebelling against it for the sake of change. It takes strength to overcome that type of fear.
Was the same prevalent in the Philippines?
You are so right in that if a child is born under oppression, he is more likely to fear speaking out or rebelling against it for the sake of change. It takes strength to overcome that type of fear.
Was the same prevalent in the Philippines?
Re: Re. White Privilege
7th Jun 2020 2:17pm
I think it was prevalent here. Our country has been colonized for centuries thus the feeling of inferiority is never gone despite developing an identity of our own.
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
7th Jun 2020 2:21pm
I really hate to hear that, Summer. It is the white man who should've appreciated the unique beauty and culture of the Philippines, and celebrated diversity vs conformity.
Re: Re. White Privilege
7th Jun 2020 2:34pm
In larger cities the younger generations are copying the culture of the other countries in many ways like the manner of speaking, dressing, eating and socializing. The Filipino values is slowly fading.
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
7th Jun 2020 2:38pm
It's the same way here, Summer. Thank goodness there are reservations that preserve Native American tradition.
Re: Re. White Privilege
7th Jun 2020 2:55pm
Same here Ahavati. The traditions and cultural heritage are preserved by indigenous peoples and tribal etnicities in different regions of the Philippines especially in southern Philippines.
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
7th Jun 2020 2:58pm
Re: Re. White Privilege
7th Jun 2020 3:02pm
Yes. I think every generation of people should be reminded of their roots and history so they will not forget. It's easy to get lost in this modern times.
1
Re. White Privilege
5th Jun 2020 2:46pm
Re. White Privilege
5th Jun 2020 3:11pm
I can understand a lot of naval gazing going on at this time when you have boss hog in charge
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
6th Jun 2020 3:07pm
Re. White Privilege
5th Jun 2020 4:06pm
You're absolutely right.
The white experience, even for the poor, outcast, and disenfranchised, is not the same.
A great one, Ahavati.
So well said.
The white experience, even for the poor, outcast, and disenfranchised, is not the same.
A great one, Ahavati.
So well said.
2
Re: Re. White Privilege
Nope; it certainly isn't. And those who deny it have a lot of learning and growing to do.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Re. White Privilege
Anonymous
5th Jun 2020 5:37pm
There was a black boy in my grade school for a whole week. That was the extent of my interracial experience in my entire childhood.
Stanzas 1 through 4 - I can't decide which is the more powerful.
Few poems on the subject deftly sidestep the bullshit excuses and hit harder than this one does.
📝❤
Stanzas 1 through 4 - I can't decide which is the more powerful.
Few poems on the subject deftly sidestep the bullshit excuses and hit harder than this one does.
📝❤
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
6th Jun 2020 3:11pm
My kindergarten and first grade post-desegregation experience shaped my entire life. I know first-hand of the injustice. It's still here but slowly changing.
Thank you. ❤📝
Thank you. ❤📝
Re. White Privilege
5th Jun 2020 6:48pm
i have too much to say and offer in support of this spill
and i think about my Best male friend and His white wife
and then
i think about the places i grew up in
and
like in a bubble i learned about this ugly condensation later in my life and introduced to it in my teens years.
i just don't understand the FEAR backing all of this........
Great spill on something relevant today.
thank You for sharing
and i think about my Best male friend and His white wife
and then
i think about the places i grew up in
and
like in a bubble i learned about this ugly condensation later in my life and introduced to it in my teens years.
i just don't understand the FEAR backing all of this........
Great spill on something relevant today.
thank You for sharing
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
6th Jun 2020 3:31pm
Thank you, Tallen. It's a deeply ingrained mindset of superiority demonstrated by those who refuse to see the problem, and continue to make excuses as well as dismiss #Blacklivesmatter with bullshit diversions like #All or Blue or Love matters.
People need to educate themselves before opening their mouths.
People need to educate themselves before opening their mouths.
Re. White Privilege
5th Jun 2020 8:06pm
One of the most prevalent signs I’ve seen at the protests I’ve been to is ... “White Silence Equals More Violence” ...
Thank you breaking the silence ...
I can’t tell you how many times in my life I’ve been pulled over by a white police officer because of the type of car I was driving and or the neighborhood I was in. The stop was usually some bogus excuse to check me out to make sure all was good; middle aged white men don’t suffer such indignities. More importantly they don’t have worry about being shot over “a routine stop.”
Thank you breaking the silence ...
I can’t tell you how many times in my life I’ve been pulled over by a white police officer because of the type of car I was driving and or the neighborhood I was in. The stop was usually some bogus excuse to check me out to make sure all was good; middle aged white men don’t suffer such indignities. More importantly they don’t have worry about being shot over “a routine stop.”
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
6th Jun 2020 3:32pm
It exists despite the ignorance that prevails this nation, San Pedro. I stand with you, LOUDLY, all the way to change.
Re. White Privilege
5th Jun 2020 9:50pm
Fantastic ink
You rocked it
Having an outwardly racist president doesn’t help.
Like
You rocked it
Having an outwardly racist president doesn’t help.
Like
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
6th Jun 2020 3:33pm
Re: Re. White Privilege
6th Jun 2020 3:39pm
Truth is, he’s racist and worse. Doesn’t give a rat’s ass about anyone except himself. That’s why when people call him a racist he doesn’t understand why. He doesn’t know what a racist is so says anything that comes to mind. Hurts people because he doesn’t know anything about people. Only his coward ass ...
Full Stop
Full Stop
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
6th Jun 2020 4:17pm
Re. White Privilege
5th Jun 2020 11:11pm
Re. White Privilege
6th Jun 2020 3:13am
Your story is so much one of overcoming, but yet we can't imagine what being african american is like. I have been reading some Maya Angelou poems, trying to write a tribute. I found this poem she wrote called 'The Mask' , its a really interesting poem, here's a link to it
https://www.poeticous.com/maya-angelou/the-mask-we-wear-the-mask-that-grins-and-lies?filter=famous&lns=a
https://www.poeticous.com/maya-angelou/the-mask-we-wear-the-mask-that-grins-and-lies?filter=famous&lns=a
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
6th Jun 2020 3:34pm
Yes! Excellent example, PR. You can also read Langston Hughes too. Can't wait to see your offering. Now us NOT the time to remain silent!
Re. White Privilege
6th Jun 2020 5:02am
Dear A,
Profound, personal and real. I found myself recollecting past interactions and wondering if I’d done enough. In the end, probably not. However, using this write to baseline future interactions is a definitely. Always an eye opener when you reflect the reactions of others toward something so innocent and welcoming as enjoying childhood with another child no matter what- playing with your friends in Mississippi. Stunning write. H🌷
Profound, personal and real. I found myself recollecting past interactions and wondering if I’d done enough. In the end, probably not. However, using this write to baseline future interactions is a definitely. Always an eye opener when you reflect the reactions of others toward something so innocent and welcoming as enjoying childhood with another child no matter what- playing with your friends in Mississippi. Stunning write. H🌷
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
6th Jun 2020 3:35pm
Thank you, H. Much appreciated. Influencing just one person for change makes it worth it.
Re. White Privilege
Because no one did this for the disabled man, are we giving the wrong message to families of disabled victims of official oppression when we march for one but not the other?
0
Re: Re. White Privilege
Wtf are you on about now? #Blacklivesmatter regardless of what they do for a living OR whether or not they are disabled.
You know what, nevermind.
Jess, outside a calm-down period, I rarely block people here except for two reasons: firstly, they have spewed their personal crap on my poetry; and, secondly, they most likely will. Challenge me all you want in the forums, but keep your personal excuses countering #Blacklivesmatter off my poetry please.
it is unwelcome here.
Thank you.
#Blacklivesmatter
You know what, nevermind.
Jess, outside a calm-down period, I rarely block people here except for two reasons: firstly, they have spewed their personal crap on my poetry; and, secondly, they most likely will. Challenge me all you want in the forums, but keep your personal excuses countering #Blacklivesmatter off my poetry please.
it is unwelcome here.
Thank you.
#Blacklivesmatter
Re. White Privilege
7th Jun 2020 3:00am
All this attention on the lives of black brothers and sisters hopefully will lead to overdue change
This outpouring of global mass activism through protests is absolutely unprecendented
If racial injustices still continue unabated beyond this moment this will truly be a huge missed opportunity of our time
Let's hope that white and black activists can bring about reforms in their spheres of influence united against racism
This outpouring of global mass activism through protests is absolutely unprecendented
If racial injustices still continue unabated beyond this moment this will truly be a huge missed opportunity of our time
Let's hope that white and black activists can bring about reforms in their spheres of influence united against racism
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
7th Jun 2020 1:54pm
Re. White Privilege
8th Jun 2020 9:27pm
These are the thoughts on my mind these days as well. I love your figurative language in stanzas 2 and 3- the sensory drinking and smelling of the hatred from others. In the spirit of honest critique, I wonder if that comparison can be expanded through the rest of the poem? Hatred is indeed a sort of poison that we drink without understanding it, as is privilege unexamined. It's a beautiful poem either way.
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
9th Jun 2020 00:24am
Thank you, Harry. That is definitely something to think about; I'll see where it leads.
Re. White Privilege
9th Jun 2020 00:18am
This reminds of a revelation I had some time ago that led to me identifying as a feminist. I like to walk the streets at night, and I realised that if I was a woman I’d be afraid to do that. Privilege isn’t necessarily what you have so much as what you don’t have to put up with. The integration of your experience with nationalism in England and Mexico really enriches the piece.
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
9th Jun 2020 00:34am
Thank you, Jack. I really appreciate that, and almost wish I'd thought of that aspect. This one may get revised soon.
Re. White Privilege
9th Jun 2020 8:17pm
Powerful message. I never really understood why people felt this way or look down at others but it just gives us a glimpse at the sad lives they must be living in order to project it as hate and indifference toward others. It happens in a lot of places.
I'm glad I grew up in a diverse city and school, I got to know people, cultures and beliefs. I think we're witnessing history, it's going to be a struggle for while but it really has to change.
Thank you for sharing.
I'm glad I grew up in a diverse city and school, I got to know people, cultures and beliefs. I think we're witnessing history, it's going to be a struggle for while but it really has to change.
Thank you for sharing.
1
Re: Re. White Privilege
9th Jun 2020 8:23pm