White Privilege

White privilege and educational inequality are related because with whiteness comes the privileges of things such as a better school, resources, etc. This isn't to say that these resources are not available in some capacity to colored people because more white people find themselves in private or charter schools. These same resources are sparsely scattered due to the majority of colored children finding themselves in public schools with little funding to afford such luxuries. Specific benefits that white people have in the education system are nicer school systems in general. Whether that be better books, transportation, or connections to people that can get their children help if they start to fall behind. It is because of these highlighted differences that affirmative action has become a factor at many schools. It serves as a tool to allow colored students an opportunity of having these resources at hand that white kids have always had. The reason that many people think ill of this program is due to the fact that they believe that it is leveled to put white kids at a disadvantage. However, the purpose of affirmative action is to enact justice for colored families that don't have the abilities to provide their kids with opportunities that many white kids take for granted. As stated from ACLU, "With affirmative action, federal contractors and employers must establish goals and timetables and make good faith efforts to meet them. But a legal affirmative action plan does not include quotas." (ACLU, 2002). White privilege plays into protest against affirmative action because now, kids of color are being handed opportunities that white families are now aware of. With being aware of how good they have it they are now afraid that resources may start to spread too thin for everyone to enjoy them equally. My personal thoughts on affirmative action are complex. I do believe that many colored families do have to come from behind to achieve the same things that many white kids do in school. However, I don't believe that the difference comes from white skin entirely, but what I would call a wealth privilege. I think our society has got money and white skin heavily intertwined and for good reason since more white people live financially better lives than other races. This would further explain how some rich colored families fit into the mix and get the resources that many say are tied to white privilege alone. As stated in one of the articles I found, "Research has shown that once admitted to top-tier institutions, low-income students complete their degree at higher rates and earn almost as much as wealthy students postgraduation." (Maxwell/Garcia, 2019). Although when it comes to a solution on how to distribute resources evenly so that the poorer families both white and colored alike can enjoy them, I wouldn't know how to go about that due to my lack of knowledge on how school funds and districts function. Inevitably I don't see a future where every school has the same resources available because there will always be an imbalance of wealth based on geographical location, but I would continue to strive for a global community that rations school resources and opportunities more liberally so that anyone can acquire a fulfilling and fair education.


Maxwell, C., & Garcia, S. (2019, October 1). 5 reasons to support affirmative action in college ... https://www.americanprogress.org/article/5-reasons-support-affirmative-action-college-admissions/. Retrieved February 21, 2022, from https://www.americanprogress.org/article/5-reasons-support-affirmative-action-college-admissions/

ACLU, A. C. L. U. (2002). Affirmative action - ACLU position paper. American Civil Liberties Union. Retrieved February 21, 2022, from https://www.aclu.org/other/affirmative-action-aclu-position-paper


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