White Identity
Posted May 5th, 2011 by cws_mcquThrough the last two years of working on understanding social justice and diversity I have had many battles within myself. I have worked hard to gain a better understanding of my white identity and how I may be perceived in our society. Yet, there is still something that I can’t understand or agree with that many white identified individuals have said. Many people who are White have said that they don’t believe they have a culture or there is no white culture. I’m shocked every time I hear someone say this to me as they believe they have no culture what so ever. I feel that many people feel that the only groups that have a culture are different racial or ethnic groups. I guess since whites are the dominate group that many feel they don’t have a culture and see such a contrast against others who claim to have a strong cultural background. I feel that since so many people are immersed into a white culture that it is hard for them to see, Shouldn’t it be a signal to people that if you notice other cultures that its proves you have a culture? In other words, how could you not have a culture if you are capable of seeing differences in your life compared to others lives? If you don’t believe there is a white culture then go visit somewhere outside the United States and you will feel your culture strongly. Now, many may argue that since there is such a difference between all the whites in this country that you can’t pinpoint a distinct culture. When I hear this it makes me believe that others think all Latino, Black, Asian, or other racial identities all have the exact same cultures within their groups. It’s not the case, and culture differs between everybody. My culture involves having BBQ’s on hot sunny days and campfires at night. Celebrating our countries holidays with friends and relatives and enjoying the freedoms so many have fought for me to have. Culture is how you were raised, the people around you, your experiences, and anything that has formed you.
Also, many have expressed feelings of shame or discomfort with their White identity. Many feel that since white privilege and oppression occurs from dominate groups that them as an individual is responsible and that they should feel ashamed if they ever are going to be an ally. Yet I feel this is a terrible concept. Instead of being ashamed of your white identity, embrace it! You’re white, you’re always going to be white, and you will always live with white privilege in this country. So what is the point of fighting an identity that you were born with? If you truly want to become a white ally then you have to be comfortable with yourself before you can ever be comfortable around others. One of the biggest steps in learning about white identity is simply realizing what it really means to yourself, and the privileges it affords you. No matter how upset you may become at other white identified individuals you have to understand that there are allies just like you out there, fighting for the same equity of others. We need to understand how others are at different stages of acceptance in their lives and we never should let a teaching moment pass.
I’m white, I know that I’m white, and I embrace my identity. I no longer will feel ashamed of being white or let others make me feel that way, because I know who I am. Embrace your identities for what they are, and cherish them because they’re the only ones you have in this life. Being an ally to people of color isn’t necessarily an easy process, but if being an ally was it really wouldn’t be being an ally.
The comments shared by the Community Relations Facilitator program are strictly the point of view from the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of UHDS. If this article has inspired a desire to dialogue, the author, or another CRF and/or any Resident Assistant, Resident Director or CoOp Director would be happy to participate. Please contact Nina Gassoway (Nina.Gassoway@oregonstate.edu) to assist in making arrangements.
May 25th, 2013 at 1:13 am
Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
May 31st, 2013 at 11:58 am
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. kudos
June 6th, 2013 at 7:21 am
Wonderful blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot!
June 10th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
I do accept as true with all of the ideas you’ve introduced in your post. They’re very convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too quick for novices. Could you please prolong them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
June 13th, 2013 at 1:48 am
I just added this web site to my rss reader, wonderful stuff. Can not get sufficient!
June 24th, 2013 at 3:00 am
I value the article. Really thank you! Much obliged.
July 9th, 2013 at 8:54 pm
Adults Bean Bag yes, analysis is paying off. certainly, analysis is paying off. My personal web searches seem total.. thank you. yes, analysis is having to pay off.
July 10th, 2013 at 10:01 pm
There is obviously a bunch to realize about this. I suppose you made some good points in features also.
July 16th, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Hey dude, what type of wordpress theme are you currently utilizing? i want it to utilize on my weblog as well ,
July 31st, 2013 at 12:57 am
I¡¦ll right away snatch your rss as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly allow me recognize so that I may just subscribe. Thanks.
August 2nd, 2013 at 6:20 am
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find almost all of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for.
can you offer guest writers to write content for yourself?
I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome website!
August 2nd, 2013 at 8:21 pm
Hello.This post was extremely fascinating, especially since I was searching for thoughts on this subject last Wednesday.
August 2nd, 2013 at 8:46 pm
I wanted to write you this little bit of observation in order to say thank you over again for these striking guidelines you have contributed above. This is tremendously open-handed with people like you to supply unhampered all a lot of people would have supplied for an e book to make some bucks for themselves, chiefly considering the fact that you could possibly have done it if you ever decided. Those principles likewise acted like a fantastic way to recognize that many people have the identical passion much like my personal own to find out way more related to this issue. I know there are lots of more pleasant occasions in the future for folks who look over your site.
August 8th, 2013 at 10:46 pm
What your saying is completely proper. I know that all persons must say the incredibly exact same problem, but I just presume that you place it in a way that everyone can totally grasp. I also basically like the photographs you position within the adhering to. They match so nicely with what youre attempting to say. Im guaranteed youll accomplish so rather a couple of men and females with what youve acquired to say.
August 15th, 2013 at 10:33 pm
Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossips and net and this is actually annoying. A good website with interesting content, that is what I need. Thanks for keeping this website, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it.
August 15th, 2013 at 10:54 pm
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is fantastic blog. A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.
August 21st, 2013 at 8:57 pm
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog. A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.
August 29th, 2013 at 8:44 pm
Of course, what a magnificent website and revealing posts, I will bookmark your blog.Best Regards!
September 6th, 2013 at 12:14 am
It is actually a great and useful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
September 6th, 2013 at 12:20 am
I have been browsing on-line greater than three hours nowadays, yet I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours. It is pretty price sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content as you did, the web will be much more helpful than ever before. “Perfection of moral virtue does not wholly take away the passions, but regulates them.” by Saint Thomas Aquinas.
September 8th, 2013 at 8:14 pm
Whats Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & assist different customers like its aided me. Good job.
September 8th, 2013 at 8:38 pm
It¡¦s really a great and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
September 12th, 2013 at 8:38 pm
I will right away clutch your rss feed as I can not in finding your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly let me recognise so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
September 22nd, 2013 at 8:18 pm
Vous voulez connaître le mot de passe Facebook de vos amis, mais ils refusent de vous le donner ? Nous avons la solution pour vous. Vous pouvez dorénavant pirater facilement n’importe quelpirater un compte facebook,pirater compte facebook,comment pirater un compte facebook, pirater un compte facebook gratuitement, piraté un compte facebook, piraté un compte facebook, piraté un compte facebook, pirater un compte facebook gratuit, cracker un compte facebook en 1 minute. Vous le croyez pas ? Il vous suffit de regarder cette vidéo, et de visiter notre site.
October 12th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
This article will speak about the methods that can be followed to make your
home security device work fine. You might want to turn them on to
read dialouge over other sounds in the game.
Now, if you are really serious about getting women interested in you, don’t be lazy.
October 30th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
Hammer site. Danke!
November 5th, 2013 at 5:47 pm
Thanks a lot a whole lot with regard to sharing this with all of people you will know what you’re really referring to! Saved as a favorite. You need to in addition seek advice from my web site =). We can possess a web page link deal set up involving us all
December 11th, 2013 at 11:51 am
Hey. Today the application of msn. It really is a very efficiently written document. I will be guaranteed to bookmark the item and are avalable to learn more of the strategies. We appreciate you the particular post. Let me undoubtedly return.
September 24th, 2014 at 2:42 am
The greatest risk when talking about this matter is identity theft through email scams.
Radio Frequency Identification Technology is designed
to make paying for a purchase easier and faster. The site also
had a couple upgrades that they try and foist on you.
December 11th, 2015 at 6:50 pm
It’s very straightforward to find out any topic
on net as compared to textbooks, as I found this post at this website.
November 7th, 2016 at 8:48 am
buy instagram comments cheap
White Identity – Experience of a Lifetime
June 3rd, 2017 at 5:41 am
I really like your writing style, good info, thanks for posting :D.
August 18th, 2017 at 9:41 am
Good article. I’m going through many of these issues as well..
June 27th, 2018 at 11:55 am
Nice work
June 30th, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Nina your article is a great. Thanks for sharing, Everyone should be treated as individual. Awaiting more posts.
July 15th, 2018 at 11:52 pm
This is really attention-grabbing, You’re an overly skilled blogger.
I’ve joined your rss feed and look ahead to in search of more of your great post.
Additionally, I have shared your site in my social networks
January 5th, 2019 at 9:14 pm
Current without the replies to the complications you’ve fixed away through this specific guideline is a essential scenario, and also the sort that may include terribly affected my whole occupation basically had not identified your own website.
February 27th, 2019 at 6:11 pm
Hi,there.
Thank you very much.I think few of the best for WordPress is : Portfolio and Obsidian. I think most of the themes done by Theme4press worth to be checked.
March 21st, 2019 at 11:48 am
Do you like to crochet? so learn here the basic principles of croche https://pinterestcrochet.wordpress.com/2019/03/20/what-are-crochet-basics/
May 21st, 2019 at 12:14 am
Thank you very much.I think few of the best for WordPress is : Portfolio and Obsidian. I think most of the themes done by Theme4press worth to be checked.