Privilege And Power In 'Angry Black Boy'

It is no secret that people have struggled through racism for a long time. Even though, people make it seem like every race is equal and it is not a problem anymore when it is still a huge problem for people of color. On a regular basis for people of color, it is a constant battle with their identity and who they are to themselves and how they were seen in the community. In addition, privileges within races and power that are conceived within those privileges are affecting the people of color. The difficulty to identify oneself, to be able to have privileges, and to be able to conserve power is what keeps racism alive in today’s world. Identifying yourself is hard; however, what is even harder is identifying yourself when everyone else is stereotyping you only because of your race. For …show more content…
For example, Macon was white and he was standing up and speaking for all the black and people of color out there (Mansbach, 2005). People listened because he had the privilege of being white, they saw him as a trustworthy source. Which leads to the power that the privilege of being white brings you. In the novel, Angry Black White Boy, it is discussed that “even if they (White people) have black friends, never expose themselves to any situation that will make them feel uncomfortable or like the minority” (Mansbach, 2005, pg.142). By feeling like they are the minority it takes power away in a sense. Even when people are friends with other people that are different races white people still want to conserve the power that they have, even if they don’t notice they are doing it. The fear of losing the power that white people have is the main reason why nobody does anything to help other people of color create something better, fear this the reason thy people don’t expose themselves in any “uncomfortable situation”. Power is the main reason why “race”