At some point, everyone’s heard the argument: “If there’s a Black History Month, why isn’t there a White History Month?” It’s a common sentiment, especially among those concerned with “political correctness,” a term which has long been misused. Such a statement brings up some fundamental questions of fairness and equality, but not the ones the person asking may intend.
The question should not be why we have Black History Month, or Gay Pride parades, and not their majority counterparts — but why don’t majorities need them?
The answer comes down to privilege: White privilege, or male privilege, or straight privilege. Members of societal majorities receive special benefits simply for being members of those majorities. Unlike, say, affirmative action or special holidays, many of these benefits are not codified into law. Many people may not even realize the advantages they have.
White families in the U.S., for example, enjoy far greater median income than black families. A 2004 Brookings Institution survey of household incomes showed that the median income for black families was 58 percent that of whites. The gap has actually widened since 1974 when black median income was 64 percent that of white income.
Additionally, white children are likely to make more than their parents, while black children are likely to make less. So white privilege is not just greater income, but greater class mobility and opportunity to improve economic situation.
Male privilege is also a major factor in our society. On average, women make about three quarters what men make for the same jobs. Women also don’t rise as high in the workforce — the infamous “glass ceiling.” In 2009, there were only 12 women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.
Privilege can be tough to identify, and difficult to accept. Most members of majorities don’t want to believe they may have achieved success because being white or male gave them an advantage, and this has led to many refusing to accept the idea of privilege. But it doesn’t mean that. Majority privilege represents an advantage that isn’t often recognized. It is not the sole factor for one’s success, any more than affirmative action would be for minorities.
But it does mean the playing field isn’t level. Even without laws ensuring that majorities have an advantage, even with laws trying to fight discrimination. It means a disparity exists in economic, social and political power in this country. There is no White History Month because white people already have so many advantages in society. There is no Straight Pride parade because straight people in this country have not faced the kinds of discrimination and violence the gay community has.
We give special recognition to minority achievements in order to, in some small way, help level the playing field. On the surface it may seem unfair, but examining the underlying power disparities in America soon reveals that our society is unfair in the other direction. Fighting Black History Month or Gay Pride doesn’t help create equality. It just reinforces existing structures of power and privilege.