Racial tensions within the United States are at a heightened level. Many in the country are upset as to what they perceive as social injustice towards one group, minority or demographic. Realistically, this is not an American problem or an upper class to lower class problem. Groups of people feeling superior or inferior to other groups of people has existed since the dawn of civilization. In modern times, when a situation arises between two people of differing cultural backgrounds, racism is always brought up. It’s a shame racism is brought up every single time as if it is a general blanket term for any problems between people of different races, because after all, people disagree, regardless of skin color. Through it all, the term “white privilege” has floated around media outlets, which is another blanket used term, but should it be?
The idea of generalizing an entire race by one or two characteristics is in itself racist. Despite that, the idea of white privilege is universally accepted throughout communities as fact. Realistically, it should be used on a case by case basis.
Now, Columbia University is educating its K-12 teachers on how to handle both students and parents who may receive preferential treatment due to the color of their skin. Instead of focusing on bullying in schools, educating students and setting them up for a better life, they are being educated on a blanket term which is misused and racist in itself (you could never use a blanket term about any other demographic). But just what is Columbia University suggesting teachers do to handle “white privilege”? Check out the video to learn for yourself.
