Let's Talk About White Privilege
White Privilege. These two words have been a topic of discussion amongst non-white communities for generations, but the reality of white privilege is still not fully accepted by many white people. The denial of white privilege correlates with the misunderstanding of what the two-word term actually entails.
White privilege is defined as the societal privilege that benefits white people over non-white people, particularly if they are otherwise under the same social, political or economic circumstances. But the words “white” and “privilege” cause immense backlash due to this preconceived notion that white privilege is insinuating that a whole group of people have never struggled. That is not what this term is referring to; rather, it’s acknowledging that white people have “a built-in advantage,” according to Teaching Tolerance.
In her recent Netflix documentary “Hello Privilege. It’s Me, Chelsea,” comedian Chelsea Handler sets out to unpack white privilege by trying to gain an understanding into what this sense of entitlement precisely looks like in society and how it affects certain communities around her. Additionally, Handler explores how white privilege impacts American culture, as well as how it has been beneficial to her own life and career.
Critics did not view this documentary as an enlightened film regarding white privilege; instead, Handler received extensive criticism for fixating the Netflix special on her white guilt rather than focusing on exploring white privilege. While she did speak with black celebrities and multiple activists—including Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Melina Abdullah—who gave credible insight, she also received backlash from those she spoke with regarding “how [she] can become a better white person to people of color without making it a thing.”
Handler attended a University of Southern California student group open mic night, which was started by Law Professor Jody Armour for minority students. She opened the floor by stating, “I don’t want to keep talking, because I’ve made a living out of talking, and I’m really eager to have a conversation about what it is I can know more about and to illuminate to people who are not of color what it means to be of color in this country.” Handler was not met with applause but rather frustration that called out her own negligence, as well as how white people are never held accountable for their actions.
“Your privilege is that your voice is always going to be heard,” one audience member stated. “You wrote a book called Uganda Be Kidding Me. … I don’t like the title, but you got to do it. You got to do whatever you want. I just want y’all to know that there is a different game that we have to play in.”
A young woman of color even called out the irony of Handler’s own project who is “exacting her privilege in ways that center her narrative,” according to Medium.
“Feel free to edit this out, because I'm embarrassed to be here with you because this is just another example of white privilege,” she exclaimed. “Using your white privilege, and what are you going to do with it other than come into this space and take?”
Handler, though, acknowledged that it felt good to be put in her place and also realized that “black people are tired about being asked questions about white people’s problems.” This is a vital point when dissecting white privilege; the objective should focus on what whiteness embodies, specifically in the United States, instead of the experiences of people of color.
“Hello, Privilege. It’s Me, Chelsea.” proceeds to expose how oblivious many white people are towards white privilege. One girl told Handler that “it isn’t something [she] sees very often,” to which Handler responds, “But would you see it if you’re white?” Handler even talks with four conservative white women from Orange County, Calif. where one of them stated, “Part of me thinks it’s time to move on and knock it off and quit talking about it.” Of course, this woman’s privilege gives her the luxury of not having to care about this subject matter—particularly how it affects people of color.
The conversation surrounding white privilege is difficult, yes, but it’s not meant to be comfortable. There is no easy solution for something that has been embedded in society for hundreds and hundreds of years. White allies are extremely important to have regarding race issues and while Handler could have better executed this documentary, she successfully made it aware that white privilege has to be talked amongst white people rather than looking towards the ones who have been oppressed for guidance.