Couric-Palin Interview: Surprise quiz question

Question:  In what ways does this interview reflect white privilege?  (For help with the concept, see the immediately preceding post.)

Also, I’d love to hear how this interview strikes others, maybe especially those  who teach.  From my professorial perspective, I’m tempted to say that she looks as though she’s gobbled down a lot of material, but hasn’t yet thought about it.

For the second part, see:http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/25/eveningnews/main4479062.shtml

White Privilege and the Election

From Tim Wise at Buzzflash (Thanks Rebecca):

For those who still can’t grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.

White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because “every family has challenges,” even as black and Latino families with similar “challenges” are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.

White privilege is when you can call yourself a “fuckin’ redneck,” like Bristol Palin’s boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you’ll “kick their fuckin’ ass,” and talk about how you like to “shoot shit” for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.

For more, go here.

And I might also add, white privilege means your pastor can say nutty things (like affirming a belief in witchcraft, in your presence, on camera, while blessing you) without it running round the clock on the news.