Summary

The article discusses the persistence of inequity and privilege in society, emphasizing the need for systemic changes to address these issues through higher taxes on the wealthy and fair representation for minorities.

Abstract

The piece reflects on the inherent inequality and privilege that pervade society, acknowledging that while some progress has been made, much more needs to be done. It highlights the systemic advantages enjoyed by the wealthy, particularly White individuals, and the societal structures that perpetuate these disparities. The author references an anonymous woman of privilege who recognizes her unearned advantages and supports higher taxes on the rich as a means to level the playing field. The article also touches on historical injustices, such as the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, as stark examples of systemic inequity. It calls for societal change to ensure fair treatment and opportunities for Black people and other minorities, suggesting that the upcoming U.S. presidential election could be a catalyst for such reforms.

Opinions

Inequity and privilege are deeply ingrained in society, affecting access to wealth, education, and basic rights.
The current system disproportionately benefits the wealthy, allowing them to accumulate and pass on wealth with minimal tax penalties.
Progressive taxation is suggested as a tool to redistribute wealth and mitigate systemic economic disparities.
Racism and racial profiling contribute significantly to societal inequities, affecting safety and opportunities for minorities.
The article implies that the two leading candidates for the U.S. presidency, both White men, have lived lives of privilege without the burden of racism.
The author believes that recent protests against racism and inequity signal a demand for societal change.
The piece calls for increased representation and equitable opportunities for minorities in all areas of life.
The historical example of Japanese American internment during WWII is used to illustrate the severe consequences of institutionalized racism.
The author suggests that the concept of justice has become compromised, favoring those with financial means, as articulated by Joseph E. Stiglitz's quote.

Inequity and Privilege Exist in Abundance

Yes it is a problem

Inequity and privilege are just part of life. These issues cause problems in society. Life is not equal, and life is not fair. There will always be the “haves” and the “have nots” with lots of people in between. The “haves” do have privilege as do almost ALL White people to some degree.

In theory we are all equal before the law. In practice, there are overwhelming privileges that come with winning the birth lottery. — — Arianna Huffington

Justine van der Leun is a journalist who wrote in GEN and Medium about the story of an anonymous woman of privilege. She wrote this quote from the woman:

“I struggle with a radical progressive hope for the future and my current desire for pleasure. I know that I won the lottery in a profoundly unfair system. I live off of a trust, which I have because our tax laws are crafted to benefit the 1%, who can create enormous wealth in their lifetime and pass on the majority of that wealth without penalty to their offspring. My every pleasure is tethered to a deeply inequitable, disjointed system tilted toward the wealthy.”

The woman of privilege further said that she would vote for higher taxes to be levied against the rich. Because rich people don’t want to voluntarily give up their wealth, perhaps they need to be taxed at higher rates in order to share more of what they have.

The woman stated: “Instead, I vote to pay higher taxes — against my own interests, some would say. I believe I should be mandated to pay, not asked to make that decision out of the goodness of my heart.”

A while back, Bernie Sanders was getting criticism from the right because he was a millionaire from his book sales. At a town hall, Fox News noted that Sanders hadn’t given most of his money away to charity. Sanders said… “That’s why I need to be taxed.”

The anonymous woman grew up in privilege, and she knows it. In fact, she enjoys it. Who wouldn’t?

Thank you to Justine for sharing the story of this woman of privilege. We can all learn something from it.

* * * * *

Some people have said, “I have been rich, and I have been poor. I can tell you that rich is better.”

* * * * *

It is privilege to be able to have a beautiful, BIG house in which to live. It is privilege to drive a luxury car instead of having to use public transportation. It is privilege to be able to have plenty of good food to eat and to eat at the most expensive restaurants if that is your pleasure. It is privilege to take lavish vacations. It is privilege to go to a really expensive private school where you are assured of getting an excellent education.

It is privilege to be able to feel totally safe walking down a street. It is privilege to be able to go into a store without the employees following you around and suspecting that you might steal something. It is privilege to be able to drive a car without constant fear of being pulled over by the police just because of the color of your skin. There are definitely advantages to living a life of privilege. That is even without counting the financial aspect.

Although Asian Americans like myself are privileged to some extent by not having the police constantly suspicious of us and generally not enduring the treatment such as being followed in a store, we have had our share of problems from racist people and racist actions.

“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt

The above quote is something which may sound wise. This was said by the President of the United States who issued the Executive Order which caused 120,000 Japanese Americans to be forcibly removed from their homes on the West Coast during World War II. They were then housed temporarily in horse stalls at race tracks and fairgrounds. Then they were unjustly incarcerated in barbed wire enclosed camps in desolate areas of the country. Most were held as prisoners for the duration of the war. That was a huge injustice and was inequitable. They had done nothing wrong. They did not deserve the racism and the travesty of justice which they endured. They lost all their privileges of home and employment, education and freedom.

Home for Japanese Americans during World War II (photo in the public domain)

Life is inequitable. That is a given. The richest person in the world has well over one hundred trillion dollars of net worth. If his net worth and his ex-wife’s net worth were combined, they would have nearly two hundred trillion dollars. There are people who cannot afford food or shelter. That is inequitable. There are a lot of inequities in the world. Finances are just one of the inequities. Privilege is caused by inequity.

There are now two old White men running for President of the United States. There are similarities, and there are notable differences between the two of them. They could both definitely be considered people of privilege. They have not had to personally deal with racism against them and their families. One has been shown to be racist although he will deny it. The other is supported by more people of color.

With the coming election in November, hopefully more equity will be evident as new policies must be enacted. All the recent protests and demonstrations because of racism and inequity demand change.

Black people and other minorities deserve to be treated fairly and given a more equitable chance in life. They deserve representation in all fields of endeavor. It is true that Black people dominate in some areas such as the NFL and the NBA, but more of them should be given a better chance to be represented equally in other areas of life.

Inequity and privilege are evident all around us. Racism is part of the inequity. It will take a lot of work to make the world more equal, but it is worth trying.

“Rather than justice for all, we are evolving into a system of justice for those who can afford it. We have banks that are not only too big to fail, but too big to be held accountable.”― Joseph E. Stiglitz

[Thank you for reading this. If you would like a gift of an ebook of speeches and articles about The Japanese American Story, send an email to [email protected].]