The Perks of Being "White Like Me"

Tim Wise's exploration of white privilege and racism in America (titled White Like Me) took on an unfamiliar perspective. I had never heard of, let alone acknowledged, the idea of white denial and privileges we (as whites) have simply because we are not black. I found his ideas especially compelling because of his use of anecdotal evidence, rather than statistics (which can easily become empty numbers). For instance, in one paragraph Wise spoke of Oprah, the successful female, black entertainer. Even she, with all her fame and glory, "can't escape the possibility, can't be free of fear, can't get past the insecurity generated by racism" (72). Oprah had phoned the Hermes boutique in Paris, arrived just minutes after closing, and was refused entry into the store. While one could argue that the store policy prevented sales after closing, the fact that racial bias could have played even the slightest role in denying Oprah is a shocking thought. If Oprah can't escape racism, who can?
Racism isn't the only thing running rampant in the U.S.A, however. White denial is almost equally troubling. Wise describes our claims of "victimization" and "reverse racism" as akin to a mall parking lot. Whites blame blacks and affirmitve action for taking jobs and opportunities, when in reality they have nothing close to the vast opportunites we have. Whites tend to have more educational opportunity, job opportunites, and generally become more affluent. When this pattern is changed, we (whites) become upset. Wise notes that this "would be like. . . going to the mall, looking for a parking space, not finding one, seeing lots of unused spaces for persons with disabilites or pregnant moms, and then getting pissed at disabled folks or pregnant women, as if they had somehow kept [one] from getting a slot!" Whites complain that they're losing opportunities to affirmitive action, when in reality, they are competing no more with blacks than other whites.
Wise's anecdotes are more interesting than statistics about racial bias and privalage. They make one think about the issues at hand and instances in their own lives. Now, as I have completed the college admission process and move towards the final steps of my high school education, I realize just how much more I have had, just by living where I do and being white. My education has been better, my school has had more funding, I have had the chance to participate in programs and extra cirriculars, I have never had to worry about beign judged for my skin tone. I had thought, in my protective little bubble of whiteness, that racism was getting better in America, that things had improved drastically, that things were just about equal for blacks and whites or on their way to becoming that way. Wise's article popped that bubble, quickly and effectivley. There is still much to be done, that can't be done, because of our denial.