In What my Bike has Taught me about White Privilege (2014), Jeremy Dowsett explores how whites react defensively towards the white privilege phrase. The author raises the issue that many white people dislike being associated with opportunities that other races have been unable to enjoy. The exposure of white privileges is indicated as a significant reason for initiating defensiveness. The article is credible because Dowsett uses his experience as a biker to portray how the white privilege concept has managed to spread. Also, he views white privilege as an ideology that has emanated from historical racism. Therefore, most whites distance themselves from the privilege assumption because it is founded on past injustices affiliated to race. To expound on white privilege, Dowsett introduces numerous reasons for its existence. He believes that whites dislike white prerogative not only because it unearths favoritism, but also because they avoid being racists.
Dowsett assumes that most people view white privilege as a term that brands them as racists. Due to this aspect, many people end up avoiding conversations that seem offensive. The best point of Dowsett’s ideology is that he does not take sides with any of involved races. His focus is on clearing the air for Americans to gain an in-depth understanding of the subject issue. Due to his experience in racial matters, Dowsett avoids blaming either whites or other races (Dowsett). His explanation of white privilege is unique because it revolves around systemic imbalances that have been in existence for long. These disparities have emerged as a result of racism’s influence. Instead of people getting annoyed by white privilege stories, they ought to understand the historical racial injustices are responsible for the current state of affairs. “You are a bad person because you are white” (Dowsett). This statement showcases the extensive damage that racism has inflicted on the American Society. This assumption is made because the system is highly skewed.
Despite the misunderstandings, Dowsett emphasizes the significance of engaging in privilege talks. He views this action plan as a crucial step towards understanding the strife at hand without getting defensive. White people can gain an in-depth understanding of privilege without feeling as if they are being attacked. Being a white bike rider in Lansing, Michigan, Dowsett explains how he struggles while using both roads and sidewalks. While some people hurl insults at him, others splash water on him intentionally. Dowsett encounters people who are angry at him for being a biker despite the fact that they do not know him. The author relates his experience while cycling to people of color residing in a white dominated society (Dowsett). Even though one is entitled to something legally, they face numerous challenges because of historical foundations. These difficulties have enabled Dowsett to understand what the privilege talk is all about.
On a broader perspective, Dowsett illuminates privileges by comparing road usage between cars and bikes. Lansing drivers dominate their roads instead of sharing them with bikes. Thus, Dowsett and other bikers are not safe on the roads due to this inequality. The transport system’s idea of favoring automobiles and leaving out bikes is presented as a promoter of privileges. Since drivers have grown knowing that the roads are reserved for cars, they endanger the lives of bikers like Dowsett. Although the author notes the privilege and dominance associated with automobile road usage, he is convinced that some drivers are not bad at all. “So the semi driver who rushes past throwing gravel in my face in his hot wake is not necessarily a bad guy” (Dowsett). As such, this realization leaves him with no option, rather than associating the drivers’ behavior with the system’s influence. Since the drivers are favored, then it becomes the riders’ responsibility to take caution while cycling.
Dowsett brings forth this lengthy explanation to portray what privilege is, and how it affects societies. This approach paves the way for whites avoid misunderstanding privilege conversations. While addressing the privilege dilemma, Dowsett also enlightens the minority groups that have suffered at the hands of racism. He does this by indicating that some nice and non-aggressive whites can carry out their activities without thinking about the challenges faced by colored individuals (Dowsett). At this point, Dowsett informs the victims of racism that not all whites are racists. Also, there is the impression that the white privilege controversy should be handled with the utmost precision to avoid worsening the situation. Dowsett’s prowess in racial issues creates the impression that a lot needs to be done to transform the system. The involved races also need to be actively involved in solving the complication to achieve a better future.
Dowsett goes ahead and links poorly enforced laws to the suffering of cyclists, especially after the occurrence of accidents. The subject issue is that no efforts have been made to streamline concerns for all parties to enjoy equal opportunities. Based on Dowsett’s arguments, it is evident that his life as a cyclist has exposed him to troubles that are beyond his control. His article is credible because it digs deeper to showcase the controversy facing many Americans, as well as its origins. By following this approach, the author succeeds in presenting privilege as a term that is not provocative. Also, it does not portray people as inhuman and racists. To him, it is a word that depicts the past racial complications that are still in existence since the lapse of slavery. Dowsett’s ideas prove that being white is not a guarantee that one is a racist. As such, there is no need for anyone to get offended when other races talk about white privilege. The article enlightens both whites and African-Americans on the importance of having streamlined societies that embrace equality (Dowsett). Legal frameworks should be transformed to serve all people equally in pursuit of rectifying past injustices. Considering all these elements, it is evident that Dowsett’s efforts to eradicate defensiveness in regards to racial privileges have borne fruit.
Conclusion
Racism stands out as a predicament that is deeply ingrained in the history of the U.S. Most minorities believe that their white counterparts are doing better because of societal privileges. While this statement has some truth in it, Dowsett purposes to paint it as a conversation that should not be viewed negatively. His example of how cars dominate the roads over cyclists points out how the transport system is flawed. Since the setback lies in the governance, whites should not be offended by white privilege conversations. Thus, the author has prevented the rising or escalation of race-related problems. Different races should get themselves well-acquainted with the privilege topic to avoid unnecessary confrontations.
Work Cited
Dowsett, Jeremy. "What my Bike has Taught me About White Privilege”. A Little More Sauce, Sept. 2014, alittlemoresauce.com/2014/08/20/what-my-bike-has-taught-me-about-white-privilege/. Accessed 6 Feb. 2018.
