3:38 pm - 12/07/2012
It feels like every time I turn on the TV these days, there goes another story about Lindsay Lohan getting arrested. Clearly, the young lady needs help, but rarely does she receive more than a slap on the wrist for whatever she’s accused of. Before people start calling me a Lohan-hater, let me say that I have absolutely nothing against her. Truth be told, I feel for her. What I am troubled by is the fact that she and other White celebrities seem to get special treatment in the criminal justice system and in so many other arenas.
There are some people that are quick to accuse us of using the race card, but how can we be at fault when we see racial disparities everywhere we turn? People are well aware of economic, educational, and housing inequalities, but we also see the constant unbalanced treatment of our favorite actors, artists, and athletes.
If a rapper (pick any), so much as jaywalks, he/she gets the book thrown at them — this goes for any and every kind of celebrity of color. How many times do we see them arrested, charged, or serving time for many of the things that we’ve already watched Lohan and others get a free pass on? And they have the nerve to say WE are the ones holding on to race. But every corner we turn, there’s a privilege being thrown in our face.
Let’s not pretend that this is all about Lohan, though.
How many times have we witnessed other White celebs get away with a slap on the wrist? Can anyone say, “Paris Hilton”?! The problem isn’t only about this unfair treatment, however, but rather what sort of example these women and others like them are setting for young White girls.
We often discuss Rihanna‘s actions and her impact on impressionable young girls. But why do we never speak about Lohan’s behavior and her responsibility to serve as a positive role model? Despite everything she has done, it seems as though folks in Hollywood glamorize her. “Liz and Dick” is the latest example of Lohan’s continued celebrity, which could be found on buses and billboards everywhere. Ironically, Lohan plays Elizabeth Taylor who had severe addiction issues. Is this supposed to be some form of reverse therapy?
At the end of the day, we’re sending the wrong message to young people everywhere when a person can be repeatedly arrested or accused of serious offenses, yet somehow not be held accountable. When the youth of America and the world see this over and over again, they think that they, too, can behave like this when they grow up. And that is just simply not true.
Some will blame a person’s parents, environment, or societal influences. But whatever the reason, at the end of the day, we are ultimately responsible for our actions, and those in the limelight have the added duty of serving as examples to others. While Lohan’s most-recent arrest may not be Lohan’s fault, in each instance, the common denominator is always HER.
If it turns out that she’s guilty, will we see the same kind of punishment if it were Rihanna who committed the same crime?
I don’t know. Is it White privilege, money, or am I just buggin’?
Source
Is Lindsay Lohan Benefiting From White Privilege?
It feels like every time I turn on the TV these days, there goes another story about Lindsay Lohan getting arrested. Clearly, the young lady needs help, but rarely does she receive more than a slap on the wrist for whatever she’s accused of. Before people start calling me a Lohan-hater, let me say that I have absolutely nothing against her. Truth be told, I feel for her. What I am troubled by is the fact that she and other White celebrities seem to get special treatment in the criminal justice system and in so many other arenas.
There are some people that are quick to accuse us of using the race card, but how can we be at fault when we see racial disparities everywhere we turn? People are well aware of economic, educational, and housing inequalities, but we also see the constant unbalanced treatment of our favorite actors, artists, and athletes.
If a rapper (pick any), so much as jaywalks, he/she gets the book thrown at them — this goes for any and every kind of celebrity of color. How many times do we see them arrested, charged, or serving time for many of the things that we’ve already watched Lohan and others get a free pass on? And they have the nerve to say WE are the ones holding on to race. But every corner we turn, there’s a privilege being thrown in our face.
Let’s not pretend that this is all about Lohan, though.
How many times have we witnessed other White celebs get away with a slap on the wrist? Can anyone say, “Paris Hilton”?! The problem isn’t only about this unfair treatment, however, but rather what sort of example these women and others like them are setting for young White girls.
We often discuss Rihanna‘s actions and her impact on impressionable young girls. But why do we never speak about Lohan’s behavior and her responsibility to serve as a positive role model? Despite everything she has done, it seems as though folks in Hollywood glamorize her. “Liz and Dick” is the latest example of Lohan’s continued celebrity, which could be found on buses and billboards everywhere. Ironically, Lohan plays Elizabeth Taylor who had severe addiction issues. Is this supposed to be some form of reverse therapy?
At the end of the day, we’re sending the wrong message to young people everywhere when a person can be repeatedly arrested or accused of serious offenses, yet somehow not be held accountable. When the youth of America and the world see this over and over again, they think that they, too, can behave like this when they grow up. And that is just simply not true.
Some will blame a person’s parents, environment, or societal influences. But whatever the reason, at the end of the day, we are ultimately responsible for our actions, and those in the limelight have the added duty of serving as examples to others. While Lohan’s most-recent arrest may not be Lohan’s fault, in each instance, the common denominator is always HER.
If it turns out that she’s guilty, will we see the same kind of punishment if it were Rihanna who committed the same crime?
I don’t know. Is it White privilege, money, or am I just buggin’?
Source
It's frustrating to be told you are something because of your color, and in an ideal world the history of whites would not be thrown back in the faces of current whites, however in an ideal world whites would realize the harm they cause and work diligently to attempt to fix the system. But we are not post racial, and as long as minorities suffer at the hands of whites and a white system there will be backing and legitimacy for people who want to deny the right of a white person to feel attacked because of their race.
If no one but the worst off in the world could legitimately complain about their problems than we'd never hear anything from anyone but modern day slaves and bystanders in war torn regions. Generally if you want a real discussion on an issue it is just best to avoid the people who can't actually discuss things in a real way.
Maybe you don't go around calling people names, maybe you have black friends, but you still will always benefit from racism and it will always be an inherent part of your life. It's not white hate. It has nothing to do with hating white people, it's just about the reality that every person of color faces in comparison to the reality that you will face as a white person.
You can't understand this because you only benefit from it. You don't have to see the system that exists because you have the privilege of believing it is intentional actions which perpetuate inequality. Minorities don't have that privilege and they see the system as it is. If one day you can try and see the world through the eyes of a person who lives in this society and try very very hard not to be offended you may be able to understand what ingrained racism is and how it affects people with or without your personal intentions.
then i scroll down like oh.