Privileges

For this assignment, it was easier for me to notice the privileges of the white man. As a Hispanic female, I face gender and racial misconceptions every single day. Below is my list of privileges that are experienced every day by either men or someone of a different race of mine.

1) A white male can be assured to be taken seriously at a car dealership/ auto repair shop, where as a woman might just be there with her “dad” or a “boyfriend”
2) I might have difficulty finding a Latino history class where as African American studies and Native American histories are offered.
3)People might find it strange when I walk into a bank and make a deposit for a $1,000 dollars. This would most certainly be different if I was a man.
4)I can use the same hair care products offered for white people where as African Americans might have more difficulty finding an acceptable selection.
5)A male gets to keep his last name while society might find it strange if a woman does not want to take his last name after marriage.
6)Successful white members of a society are the norm while a Hispanic female might get labeled as a “success story”.
7)The White race has always seen their history in textbooks while Hispanics, Blacks and Native American’s have always had to ask about theirs.
8) White man never “invaded” the New World; However, Hispanics who wish to come to the United States today are considered “invading”.
9) Males are allowed to swear, where as if a woman were to, it would be considered crude and un-lady like.
10) Males can play the field until they are older and get hip labels such as “bachelor” or “playboy”, where as if a woman were to do this, she would be labeled as “spinster” “cougar” or “old-maid”.
11)White people have the privilege of always speaking their native tongue everyday while others of a different race may not have such an opportunity.
12) Because I have an opinion, I am labeled as a “pistol” or a “sassy” female. A man would simply be considered “strong willed”.
13) Males can be bad drivers without it being accredited to their gender. If I make a mistake while driving it’s because “women don’t know how to drive”.
14) Males are supposed to play sports. If women play too many sports, she may be considered “butch” or a lesbian.
15)The only holiday many White People may know about my race is Cinco de Mayo (NO! It is not Mexican Independence Day!), while I know most of the holidays and meanings of their culture.
16)It may be hard for a Black or White person to name a famous Latino political activist, while it would be very easy for me to name several leaders of their races.
17) If a woman speaks out for her gender she might be considered “militant” or a “raging feminist”. On the other hand, a man might be considered “a man’s man” or macho.
18)Because I might have more liberal ideas, it is because I am young, inexperienced or economically challenged.
19)A white male might only have to prove himself once, where as a Black or Hispanic man might have to prove himself twice so that his shortcomings are not attributed to his race.
20) Whites are expected to know only English, whereas a Hispanic who might not know Spanish is not considered "Hispanic enough".

Writing this list evoked a lot of thought these past couple of days. There are many privileges that I experience everyday that I may not have realized yet. However, as time passes I will study myself more closely.