Does Donald Trump's Polarizing make him the "Poster Child" for "White Privilege" in America?

I often post articles here related to topics about race, education, White Privilege, militarized police actions, and other social justice issues. Today, I share an observation of mine that I've been making for awhile thinking that it will eventually fade and fizzle out as simply my way of viewing the world. But as I read more posts on social media, read more journal articles, newspaper and magazine articles, and continue to review data from reputable resources...I've finally come to an embarrassing reality.

I've determined that, as much as it pains me, I have to thank someone in particular for revealing more of the the hidden truth behind some of the biggest challenges we face in American society. This one person, IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, has single-handedly done more in recent history to reveal some of our nation's most serious issues, such as racism, bigotry, prejudice, dishonesty, White Privilege, misogyny, nepotism, homophobia, religious persecution and much more. And yes...that person is....

DONALD J. TRUMP

Some of you reading this post might be Trump supporters, so please allow me to clarify my statement before you rush to the comments section of this article. I'm not concerned with agreement, I am, however, seeking enlightenment and wish to encourage open dialogue and thought. I do not pretend to be a political expert. But this post is not about politics. It's about how one man seems to be the embodiment of this often avoided topic of White Privilege, a condition of societal privileges that are afforded to White Society, as a whole, that have developed over generations of racist history, discriminatory laws and practices as well as the continuance of wealth and power within the the dominant culture of american society. 

White Privilege is different from racism in that even a White person who does not engage in racism still has social privileges not afforded to non-White citizens. Here are a few examples of White Privilege.

Common White Privileges that are Uncommon among Non-Whites

1. I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.
2. I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed.
3. I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented.
4. When I am told about our national heritage or about “civilization,” I am shown that people of my color made it what it is.
5. I can be sure that my children will be given curricular materials that testify to the existence of their race.
6. Whether I use checks, credit cards or cash, I can count on my skin color not to work against the appearance of financial reliability.
7. I can speak in public to a powerful group without putting my race on trial.
8. I am never asked to speak for all the people of my racial group.
9. If a traffic cop pulls me over or if the IRS audits my tax return, I can be sure I haven’t been singled out because of my race.
10. I can easily buy posters, post-cards, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys and children’s magazines featuring people of my race.
11. I can go home from most meetings of organizations I belong to feeling somewhat tied in, rather than isolated, out-of-place, outnumbered, unheard, held at a distance or feared.
12. I can take a job with an affirmative action employer without having my co-workers on the job suspect that I got it because of my race.
13. I can be sure that if I need legal or medical help, my race will not work against me.
14. such as a lack of racial profiling, having the privilege of escaping violent stereotypes associated with my race, or 

I am not a fan of "the Don".... not because he's rich. I've met a few rich people (though not "Trump" rich), and money has nothing to do with my personal perspective of him. It does, however, provide Trump with a platform previously unprecedented in American history, even more than billionaire Ross Perot in the 1992 presidential campaign.

I am not a fan of "the Don".... not because he's a conservative. Mitt Romney and Bob Dole are conservatives I respect, despite differences in our social and political views. They have humility and a genuine concern and respect for humanity.

I am not a fan of "the Don".... not because he's a member of the Republican Party. Lindsey Graham is a moderate republican who has demonstrated a willingness to be bipartisan and work with democrats on national issues. Also add Secretary Colin Powell to this list of republicans I may disagree with politically, but still respect ethically and morally.

I am not a fan of "the Don".... not because he's White. Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton are two retired politicians whom I respect and admire who also just happen to be White also.

I am not a fan of "the Don".... not because I'm Black. Alan Keyes, Herman Cain and Dr. Ben Carson are all Black, yet I am opposed to practically everything they stand for and disagree with their political and social views as well as their ethics.

Simply put, I am not a fan of Trump because of who Donald Trump is. I know most American citizens are not like Trump, however, Trump has and does take full advantage of privileges that are afforded to most non-marginalized citizens, except that most people have the decency not to exploit their social, racial , gender, political or economic privileges to the extent that the Don does without hesitation, regret or humility. It is because Trump seems to get away with an unlimited about of insults, unsupported commentary and bigoted rhetoric that he has become the poster child of White Privilege in America.

Believe me when I say that I know he has millions of followers. I know that some of you reading my post are probably devoted supporters of Donald Trump, AND THAT'S FINE! The purpose of this post is not to debate politics or even how you or I feel about Donald Trump. The reason I refer to Donald Trump is because his negative actions, as described by multiple reliable news sources, and well respected politicians, both democrats and republicans, has been allowed to continue with practically no repercussions, no real sense of accountability and no serious efforts to minimize of discontinue his options to do so. In fact, Trump's media presence has increased and expanded as a result of his brazen rhetoric, not reduced. Obviously, whether the news is good or bad, ALL news increases ratings on TV and sells papers as well.

So, to be clear, Trump's ethics are irrefutable at this point. They are "a given" and now part of the political landscape of 2016. However, my question is...

What would've happened if SOMEONE ELSE instead of Donald Trump expressed themselves the way Trump has over the past year?

• Could a Black politician person say some of the things Trump has said and remain a serious contender for the office of the president of the United States? No? Okay....
• How about a Latino or Latina; could they get away with some of the comments that Donald Trump says on a regular basis?
• No? Okay...
• How about a Gay person from the LGBTQ community; could they get away with some of the comments that Donald Trump says on a regular basis?
• No? Okay...
• How about a well qualified , educated, experienced women; could they say racist and sexist comments still be a serious contender for the Presidency?
• No? Really?
• Okay...what about a Muslim candidate, or a U.S. citizen that was an immigrant, or almost ANYONE else for that matter?

It is my humble opinion that almost anyone except for Trump would have to suspend their presidential candidacy within weeks if not days of making some of the comments that Trump says on a regular basis. So this leads to my next question....

Why is it that Trump can get away with it, but practically no one else?

You see, Donald Trump didn't become the Republican Presidential nominee all by himself. He was voted into this position. He has millions of followers who not only believe he will supposedly "Make America Great Again", but they often agree with his damaging comments and perspectives. Despite Trumps challenges, this points to a bigger picture of our fractured society. It suggests that far more people in this country think the way Trump does and see nothing wrong with much of his bigoted commentary. As a matter of fact, Donald Trump gets a free pass!!!

Why is that?

When any person exercises a privilege not afforded to other groups, when this privilege is extended for no other reason beyond preference, and is not based on any other factors that might substantiate having such a privilege, then the privilege is, by definition DISCRIMINATORY. And if that discriminatory privilege is afforded only to a person based on their race, the the privilege is a raced based privilege. If that privilege is based on one's economic status or wealth, then the privilege is a wealth based privilege. If that privilege is based on gender, then that privilege is a gender based privilege.

Based on just 3 of the basic tenets of Critical Race Theory,

1. Critical Race Theory recognizes that racism is endemic to American life
2. Critical Race Theory expresses skepticism toward dominant legal claims of neutrality, objectivity, colorblindness, and meritocracy
3. Critical Race Theory presumes that racism has contributed to all contemporary manifestations of group advantage and disadvantage

Based on these tenets, Donald Trump continually experiences societal privileges as a White person, and as a male, and as a heterosexual, and as a person of wealth, that is not afforded to non-Whites, women, homosexuals and non-wealthy persons. Of all of these categories , RACE is the most prevalent and the demographic that is affiliated with generational privilege. White Privilege, whose existence is outlined in the tenets of Critical Race Theory, is alive and well, and thriving far more than most would think.

It is BECAUSE of the existence of White Privilege that Trump can continue to get away with his damaging rhetoric with little reaction from those in a position to slow or eliminate Trumps options to express and initiate negative comments and actions. Such a large percentage of Citizens relate to Trumps rhetoric that it is NOT seen as problematic, and therefore no serious efforts have been made to derail the "Trump Express".

I appreciate and respect all people from all cultures, religions, genders, nations, and various walks of life, even if they do not share my views or biases. However, there are some people that I am seriously concerned about because they are dangerous and cause harm or have the potential and capacity to do harm to others, especially the innocent. They are....

• People who lie in the interest of their own self interest
• People who are selfish and lack genuine concern for others
• People who are sexist
• People who are racists, and/ or bigots
• People who are homophobic and / or prejudice towards the LGBTQ community
• People who are bullies
• People who are disrespectful towards others
• People who are inconsiderate of others
• People who wish to do harm to others and are not acting in self defense
• People who tend to use religion as a means of justifying and initiating harm to others
• People who tend to think that the end justifies the means
• People who are over confident or arrogant
• People who are close minded
• People who crave power, especially over others, especially those less fortunate or marginalized
• People who are in denial about the realities of the society based on empitical data, facts and witnesses
• People with no sense of honor
• People who lack humbleness, a sense of humanity and humility

Though like all of us, he's not perfect and probably has some endearing qualities. Still...Donald Trump epitomizes many if not all of these negative qualities and is actually a microcosm of much bigger issues within our society.

If our society was less racist, less sexist, less prejudice, then we would not have him as the Republican candidate for the Presidency. This is quite telling as most people would tell you that they are nothing like Trump, and that he should be stopped, yet, there he is!

All too often, politicians, and media have tried to use logic, knowledge, truth, data and research to undermine the damage that Trump spreads with his comments, but with little, if any effect. The reason being that you can't use logic, knowledge, truth, data or research to undermine privilege that is based on race. In fact there is only ONE way to do so.....

VOTE

Just in case you think that Donald Trump's reign of damaging rhetoric is an exaggeration, I've provided a list of....

The Don's "Greatest Hits"

1. "I think I've made a lot of sacrifices. I work very, very hard." –Donald Trump, rejecting the assertion made at the Democratic convention by Muslim lawyer Khizr Khan, whose son died in Iraq in 2004, that Trump had "sacrificed nothing and no one." Trump was unable to name a single sacrifice when pressed to elaborate. (ABC News interview, July 30, 2016)
2. "I'd like to hear his wife say something." –Donald Trump, smearing Ghazala Khan, the mother of a fallen American soldier, by implying that she was not allowed to speak, despite the fact that she has spoken publicly about her son's death (ABC News interview, July 30, 2016)
3. "I always wanted to get the Purple Heart. This was much easier." –Donald Trump, on receiving a Purple Heart as a gift from a retired lieutenant colonel and supporter (August 2, 2016)
4. I was gonna hit this guy so hard his head would spin and he wouldn’t know what the hell happened... I was going to hit a number of those speakers so hard their heads would spin, they’d never recover. And that’s what I did with a lot – that’s why I still don’t have certain people endorsing me: they still haven’t recovered." –Donald Trump, reacting to the Democratic National Convention (July 29, 2016)
5. “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press." –Donald Trump, calling on Russian espionage services to intervene in the U.S. election and help sabotage Hillary Clinton. The emails in question were deemed "personal," but Trump has previously said he thinks they contain sensitive intelligence, meaning that Trump is hoping Vladimir Putin gains access to classified government information (July 27, 2016)
6. "I alone can fix it." –Donald Trump in his self-aggrandizing acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, July 21, 2016
7. “The LGBT community, the gay community, the lesbian community — they are so much in favor of what I’ve been saying over the last three or four days. Ask the gays what they think and what they do, in, not only Saudi Arabia, but many of these countries, and then you tell me — who’s your friend, Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton?" –Donald Trump in a boast that provoked widespread ridicule from the LGBT community, June 15, 2016
8. "How about bringing baskets of money into Iraq? I want to know -- who were the soldiers who had that job? I want to know who were the soldiers that had that job, ’cause I think they’re living well right now, whoever they may be." –Donald Trump, apparently accusing U.S. soldiers in Iraq of grand larceny, June 14, 2016
9. "I’ve been treated very unfairly by this judge. Now, this judge is of Mexican heritage. I'm building a wall, OK? I'm building a wall." –Donald Trump, accusing U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who is presiding over the fraud case against Trump University, of being biased against him because of his Mexican heritage, despite the fact that he is a U.S. citizen who was born in Indiana (CNN interview, June 5, 2016)
10. "Happy Cinco de Mayo! The best taco bowls are made in Trump Tower Grill. I love Hispanics!" –Donald Trump on Twitter
11. "His father was with Lee Harvey Oswald prior to Oswald's being – you know, shot. I mean, the whole thing is ridiculous. What is this, right prior to his being shot, and nobody even brings it up. They don't even talk about that. That was reported, and nobody talks about it." –Donald Trump, suggesting that Ted Cruz's father may have been involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Fox News interview, May 3, 2016
12. "There has to be some form of punishment…you go back to a position like they had where they would perhaps go to illegal places, but we have to ban it." –Donald Trump on women who have abortions, MSNBC interview, March 30, 2016
13. "Just so you understand, I don't know anything about David Duke, OK? I don't know anything about what you're even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists. So I don't know. I don't know -- did he endorse me, or what's going on? Because I know nothing about David Duke; I know nothing about white supremacists." –Donald Trump, refusing to condemn former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard and noted white supremacist David Duke, who endorsed Trump for president, February 28, 2016
14. "We won with poorly educated. I love the poorly educated." –Donald Trump on his performance with poorly educated voters who helped him win the Nevada Caucus, Feb. 23, 2016
15. "I love the old days, you know? You know what I hate? There's a guy totally disruptive, throwing punches, we're not allowed punch back anymore. ... I'd like to punch him in the face, I'll tell ya." –Donald Trump on how he would handle a protester in Nevada, sparking roaring applause from the audience, February 22, 2016
16. "There may be somebody with tomatoes in the audience. If you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously. Okay? Just knock the hell -- I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees." –Donald Trump, encouraging violence at his rallies, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Feb. 1, 2016
17. "That was so great. Who was the person who did that? Put up your hand, put up your hand. Bring that person up here. I love that." –Donald Trump, praising two audience members who tackled a protester at his rally in South Carolina, Feb. 16, 2016
18. "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters, okay? It's, like, incredible." –Donald Trump, speaking at a rally in Sioux Center, Iowa as the audience laughed, January 23, 2016
19. "Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on." –Donald Trump campaign statement
20. "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're sending people that have lots of problems...they're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime. They're rapists." –Donald Trump
21. "Yeah, she's really something, and what a beauty, that one. If I weren't happily married and, ya know, her father?.?.?.?" –Donald Trump on his daughter Iv
22. "Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president I mean, she's a woman, and I'm not supposed ta say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious?" –Donald Trump on Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina
23. "A person who is very flat chested is very hard to be a 10." –Donald Trump
24. "I think Islam hates us." –Donald Trump, CNN interview, March 10, 2016
25. "If I were running 'The View,' I'd fire Rosie [O'Donnell].
26. I mean, I'd look her right in that fat, ugly face of hers, I'd say, "Rosie, you're fired." –Donald Trump
27. "I don’t even know some of those statements. I don’t even know what they are. Nobody respects women more than I do." –Donald Trump, when asked in a CNN interview about his degrading remarks about women, March 21, 2016
28. “I like kids. I mean, I won’t do anything to take care of them. I’ll supply funds, and she’ll take care of the kids." –Donald Trump
29. "There were people that were cheering on the other side of New Jersey, where you have large Arab populations. They were cheering as the World Trade Center came down." –Donald Trump, making an unfounded accusation regarding the 9/11 attacks
30. "The other thing with the terrorists is you have to take out their families, when you get these terrorists, you have to take out their families. They care about their lives, don't kid yourself. When they say they don't care about their lives, you have to take out their families." –Donald Trump, Fox News interview, Dec. 2, 2015
31. "I will build a great wall – and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me —and I'll build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." –Donald Trump
32. "I've seen numbers of 24 percent — I actually saw a number of 42 percent unemployment. Forty-two percent. 5.3 percent unemployment -- that is the biggest joke there is in this country. … The unemployment rate is probably 20 percent, but I will tell you, you have some great economists that will tell you it's a 30, 32. And the highest I've heard so far is 42 percent." –Donald Trump, vastly overstating the unemployment rate in a claim rated false by Politifact, Sept. 28, 2015
33. “I don’t think I’ve made mistakes. Every time somebody said I made a mistake, they do the polls and my numbers go up, so I guess I haven't made any mistakes." –Donald Trump
34. "We're going to knock the s**t out of ISIS." –Donald Trump, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
35. "My fingers are long and beautiful, as, it has been well been documented, are various other parts of my body." –Donald Trump
36. Even if the world goes to hell in a handbasket, I won't lose a penny." –Donald Trump
37. (On Immigration), “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re sending people that have lots of problems…they’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.”
38. (On John McCain), “He’s not a war hero. He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured.”
39. (On Obama’s Heritage), “I have people that have been studying [Obama’s birth certificate] and they cannot believe what they’re finding… I would like to have him show his birth certificate, and can I be honest with you, I hope he can. Because if he can’t, if he can’t, if he wasn’t born in this country, which is a real possibility…then he has pulled one of the great cons in the history of politics.”
40. (On Diplomacy), “When was the last time anybody saw us beating, let’s say, China in a trade deal? They kill us. I beat China all the time.”
41. (On Gay Marriage), “It’s like in golf. A lot of people — I don’t want this to sound trivial — but a lot of people are switching to these really long putters, very unattractive. It’s weird. You see these great players with these really long putters, because they can’t sink three-footers anymore. And, I hate it. I am a traditionalist. I have so many fabulous friends who happen to be gay, but I am a traditionalist.”
42. (On Racial Issues), “I have a great relationship with the blacks.”
43. (On Megyn Kelly After The Debate), ” You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her wherever.”
44. (On The Idea Of His Daughter Posing For Playboy), “I don’t think Ivanka would do that, although she does have a very nice figure. I’ve said if Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.”

White Privilege Doesn't begin or end with Donald Trump...but his current campaign and success owe much to the prevalence of White Privilege, which is sad, because as forward thinking as I many of us would like to think our country can be, "the Don" Demonstrates that, socially and ethically, little has changed in over 100 years, and that is simply...

UNACCEPTABLE!