While I would not describe "white privilege" as an outright myth (there are substantial and troubling disparities with regard to race in America where white people reap most of the advantages), it is still a simplistic, inflammatory, and counterproductive phrase to describe such disparities.
In an APA study, a control group was given literature about "white privilege" while one was not. They were then told a hypothetical story about a man suffering from poverty, one group was told he was white and the other was told he was black (but otherwise completely the same). They were then asked to rate how they sympathized with this man's plight. It was revealed that participants who were taught about "white privilege" didn't change their views on the disadvantaged black man (i.e. no increase in sympathy) but gained a more negative opinion of the disadvantaged white man.
The phrase reeks of scapegoating disguised as activism. Attempting to cast blame on an entire group rather than targeting injustices in the system. Rather than challenge prejudices, it justifies and reinforces them. Rather than call for empathy, compassion, and understanding, it builds resentment, suspicion, and hostility.
Let me be clear, systemic racism is VERY real and non-white minority groups are at the receiving end of it with regard to criminal justice, employment, housing, healthcare, education and political representation.
The solution is for all of us, regardless of race, to come together and address these issues head on with rhetoric that lifts up voices instead of tearing others down.
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