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Connecticut Town's Sponsored 'White Privilege' Student Essay Contest Brews Controversy
4 New York ^ | 1/30/2017 | By Michael Melia

Posted on 01/31/2017 5:24:14 AM PST by Puppage

When the town sponsored a student essay contest on the topic of white privilege, it was intended to provoke discussion in this wealthy, overwhelmingly white community on Connecticut's Gold Coast.

It did, along with no small amount of outrage.

Contest organizers have been surprised by the reaction from some who say the question wrongly suggests race plays into the good life enjoyed in Westport.

Residents like Bari Reiner, 72, say the question is offensive because the town welcomes anybody who can afford to live here.

"It's an open town," Reiner said. "There are no barricades here. Nobody says if you're black or whatever, you can't move here."

The contest, put on by the town's diversity council, asks students to describe the impact white privilege has had on their lives, using a term that refers generally to advantages conferred automatically to whites, and not to minorities. The concept has moved into the mainstream as the nation has discussed race more openly.

The chairman of the diversity council, Harold Bailey Jr., said that in addition to the chatter in town, people as far away as Singapore have weighed in online.

"There's a lot more controversy around it than many of us expected," said Bailey, a retired IBM vice president who is black. "Just the fact it says 'white' and 'privilege,' for some people that's all they need to see, and all of a sudden we're race-baiting or trying to get people to feel guilty. That's not at all what it's about."

Like other New York City suburbs on the Connecticut shoreline, Westport ranks among the country's wealthiest places. Its median family income tops $150,000, and it is home to the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates. As of the 2010 census, its 26,000 residents were also 93 percent white.

The town has a liberal streak that some attribute to its vibrant arts community, and it voted by more than 2 to 1 for Democrat Hillary Clinton over Republican Donald Trump. It also has not been immune to episodes of racism. Dozens of students at the public Staples High School were disciplined for circulating racially offensive memes in a private Facebook group uncovered in November.

The diversity council, TEAM Westport, was created more than a decade ago to increase diversity and make the town more welcoming. The winner of the annual contest's $1,000 top prize will be announced April 3. The essay questions are developed by a committee and approved by Staples faculty members.

Some parents welcomed the discussion stirred by this year's question as a reminder for local teens that not all places are as affluent and homogeneous as Westport.

"I like the idea to get it out there so kids can talk about it and embrace it," said Bert Dovo, a white father of two who are now in college.

Janet Samuels, 60, said that her children are now grown but that she believes it is the role of parents to teach what privilege is.

"That would upset me very much," Samuels, who is also white, said of the essay question. "I wouldn't go there."


TOPICS: Education; Society
KEYWORDS: academicbias; bluestates; connecticut; diversity; endwhiteshaming; leftismoncampus
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I am SO sick of this garbage!
1 posted on 01/31/2017 5:24:14 AM PST by Puppage
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To: Puppage

Westport, that’s where Marlo and Phil Thomas live!


2 posted on 01/31/2017 5:25:44 AM PST by Dr. Sivana (There is no salvation in politics.)
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To: Puppage

This could be good...maybe one of them can finally define what “white privilege” is...exactly.


3 posted on 01/31/2017 5:27:12 AM PST by FrankR (You're only enslaved to the extent of the charity that you receive!)
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To: Dr. Sivana

And Paul Newman did as well.


4 posted on 01/31/2017 5:28:47 AM PST by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: Puppage
I knew it had to be down there somewhere.Traveling the roads of “back country” Greenwich as I do once in a while I'm astounded by all the black and brown faces I see on the grounds of those $20 million dollar estates.Of course they're all landscapers and nannies.The Ferraris and Bugattis I see there all seem to have white faces at the wheel.
5 posted on 01/31/2017 5:29:37 AM PST by Gay State Conservative (Deplorables' Lives Matter)
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To: Puppage
My essay:

You're right. White privilege, baby! You had eight years of a half-white half-whatever anti-American President crapping all over 63% of the people...but now's a new day.

President Big Daddy Trump is the new Sheriff in town, and you better tighten up!

6 posted on 01/31/2017 5:30:36 AM PST by MuttTheHoople (Yes, Liberals, I question your patriotism)
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To: FrankR

What if a white wins?


7 posted on 01/31/2017 5:31:41 AM PST by dblshot (I am John Galt.)
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To: Puppage

‘That’s not at all what it’s all about’

Of course it is! The only group that suffers the slings and arrows of the ‘diversity’ crowd is the White Male group. It is politically incorrect to complain about ANY other group. My siblings are all Left and I get this crap from them from time to time. Individua people are responsible for whatever their life becomes. Period.


8 posted on 01/31/2017 5:31:46 AM PST by originalbuckeye ("In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." - George Orwell)
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To: originalbuckeye

using a term that refers generally to advantages conferred automatically to whites, and not to minorities.


“White privilege” is a racist concept.


9 posted on 01/31/2017 5:36:02 AM PST by marktwain (We wanted to tell our side of the story. We hope by us telling our story...)
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To: Puppage

The CHOWM* Must Die!
The Rise Of True Progressive Identity Politics
By Matt Bracken

*Conservative/Christian Old White Men

My progressive friends and intersectional allies, the CHOWM really just have to die, and the sooner the better. I don’t care if they die of old age or of something else, but they had better die pretty soon, because let’s face it, they have f8**ed up the entire world, and it’s only getting worse. The illegitimate “election” of the CHOWM-in-Chief was the last straw. Now it must finally be said out loud: the CHOWM must die, if our progressive, peace-loving peoples are to survive!

Look at almost any developing nation, or just look at our own inner cities. The CHOWM blood-suckers, who don’t even live there, have all the money and all the power, while our people are forced to suffer in poverty, misery, degradation and oppression. And whom shall I ask enslaved our beautiful, peaceful African people and dragged them to this miserable continent in the first place, 400 years ago? The CHOWM–and don’t you ever forget it!

Sure, some of our more timid progressive ally-sisters and ally-brothers will say that not all of the CHOWM are completely evil, that not all of them were slave masters and patriarchal colonial oppressors and racists and Islamophobes and cisgender bigots. They will point out that airplanes and televisions and smart phones were invented by the CHOWM. And while this may be true, it’s only because the CHOWM stole the best secrets from the ancient Africans and the other people of color around the world, people who would also have invented all of these things too, if the CHOWM had not oppressed them and held them down through colonialism, slavery, capitalism, white privilege, Islamophobia, the patriarchy, and cisgender bias of every kind.

But lucky for us, the CHOWM are easy to recognize in a crowd. In fact, they can’t hide at all. First of all, their skin is a nasty pasty white, and they are old and ugly and weak. And worst of all, they are all men. No, worst of all, they are white. No, worst of all, they are white men. Now, some non-Christian and non-conservative gay and trans men can be intersectional allies of the oppressed peoples, but not the CHOWM. The CHOWM can never be an ally, because they do not intersect with our oppressed peoples in any positive or beneficial way. The CHOWM are our eternal enemies and oppressors, period.

But there is some good news, (other than the fact that the CHOWM are very easy to spot). Most of the CHOWM are getting old, and they are going to die soon. Walk into any government office and look around: most of the CHOWM are really, really old. As soon as all of the CHOWM retire and die off, or just die off, they won’t be in charge anymore. And when the CHOWM are no longer our bosses, they won’t be able to protect those other pricks, the CHYWM. And then it will really be payback time for 400 years of oppression! No, make that 4,000 years, because of how the ancient CHOWM stole all of the best ideas from the ancient Africans, and used them to oppress all progressive peoples.

Now, because we can’t always tell the CHOWM from our own progressive LGBTQ – OWM intersectional allies, let’s just agree that all of the OWM must die. We can’t take any chances when it comes to the sneaky, lying CHOWM, because they are simply too dangerously evil to tolerate. And as far as the YWM, well, you must certainly understand that 100% of the CHOWM began life as YWM, so after 4,000 years of CHOWM oppression, don’t you think that they have had more than enough time being in charge? So all of the YWM must die too, or eventually we’ll be dealing with CHOWM oppression all over again.

And as far as our progressive WW intersectional ally sisters, for sure they are not part of the patriarchy, (thank Gaia!), but let’s face it, haven’t they been far too close to the CHOWM for far too long? Collaborating with the CHOWM at every turn, “marrying” them, sleeping with them, and together, making lots of little CHYWM who invariably grow up to be CHOWM? Of course they have. So just to be on the safe side, let’s get rid of the WW and especially the YWW, because let’s face it, it takes a YWW to make a YWM who will grow up to become a CHOWM. Nits make lice.

So all progressive peoples must finally agree: we just need to get rid of the OWM, the YWM, the OWW, and the YWW, if we want to be absolutely sure that we have eradicated the CHOWM menace from the Earth. Or to simplify the message, let’s just get rid of the evil W strain of humanity. Only then can the peace-loving non-CHOWM peoples of the world all live together in perfect harmony, sharing the unending social progress that we deserve. In 2017, all reasonable progressives must understand that 4,000 years of CHOWM oppression have been more than enough.

The CHOWM must die.


10 posted on 01/31/2017 5:37:02 AM PST by Travis McGee (EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: MuttTheHoople

11 posted on 01/31/2017 5:37:49 AM PST by Travis McGee (EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: Dr. Sivana

Phil Donuhue has an apartment on 68th and 5th in Manhattan. Seen him there many times. Used to work next door.


12 posted on 01/31/2017 5:41:27 AM PST by ETL (On the road to America's recovery!)
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To: Puppage

:: a student essay contest on the topic of white privilege, it was intended to provoke discussion ::

I think I see the problem here.
Vis-a-vis, “students...provoke discussion”? Really?
They have no school board of adults? They have no city council of adults?


13 posted on 01/31/2017 5:42:02 AM PST by Cletus.D.Yokel (Catastrophic, Anthropogenic Climate Alterations: The acronym explains the science.)
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To: Puppage

Gee...

Black people have been in control of Haiti for nearly as long as the United States has existed.

So why don’t we see all the advantages of “Black Privilege” in Haiti?

What is denounced as “White privilege” is simply western civilization. Follow the rule of law. Become educated, create a business, figure out how to sell people what they want and need. Treat people as you wish to be treated. Do not have children out of wedlock. Spend less than you make.

All of these principles have been known for millennia, and they work.

That is what “white privilege” amounts to.


14 posted on 01/31/2017 5:42:08 AM PST by marktwain (We wanted to tell our side of the story. We hope by us telling our story...)
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To: ETL
Phil Donuhue has an apartment on 68th and 5th in Manhattan. Seen him there many times. Used to work next door.

One of the better low brow books I read was "That Girl and Phil", where Desmond, his Major Domo, spills much as a warning to the world. Phil comes off better than Marlo. Danny Thomas comes off fine.

And of course, they have home sin both Manhattan AND Westport.
15 posted on 01/31/2017 5:45:33 AM PST by Dr. Sivana (There is no salvation in politics.)
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To: Dr. Sivana

They well may have a vacation home in Westport. That I don’t know.


16 posted on 01/31/2017 5:46:34 AM PST by ETL (On the road to America's recovery!)
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To: Dr. Sivana
And of course, they have homes in both Manhattan AND Westport.

Yes, I answered before reading your followup.

17 posted on 01/31/2017 5:48:06 AM PST by ETL (On the road to America's recovery!)
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To: marktwain
So why don’t we see all the advantages of “Black Privilege” in Haiti?
And it's not just Haiti - name me one successful black country in the entire world.
18 posted on 01/31/2017 5:52:15 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: Puppage

Why does their township even have a political correctness tribunal?


19 posted on 01/31/2017 5:53:34 AM PST by a fool in paradise (The COM-Left is saddened by the death of the Communist dictator Fidel Castro. No surprise there.)
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To: Puppage
Most white people can't afford to live in Westport either.
20 posted on 01/31/2017 6:00:36 AM PST by peeps36 (Obama = the skidmark on America's underwear.)
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