Discrimination Diversification

I had an interesting discussion with some friends the other day on the topic of racial discrimination, and how it affects social opportunities. My black friends at times seemed to be saying that no matter how hard it got in the economy, I as a white guy would never really understand desperation or hopelessness. When the economy improved, I would go right back to assymetric vocational access, something that blacks systematically are prevented from. When the economy improves, blacks are still black, and therefore their situation remains essentially the same.

My response was on several levels: that if I was so priveleged, why was I working here, so far from home? why had I been rejected on my last 10 applications to Korea - not even gaining a response form thank you letter? why had I enjoyed much-less-than-poverty-level wages for the last three years, which depleted my reserves substantially? why I lost money on real estate deals for the past 3 years, basically losing my retirement funds? and, why was I continuously impressed with the notion that the field of education was increasingly dominated by women at every level and position, effectively marginalizing my chances?

Even further back, why was I so poor just before I came to Korea, having to go to the food bank and driving a car that literally had a hole in the gas tank? why I was working 100-hour weeks and clearing 500 dollars, at times taking my life in my hands to just get by? And even further, why both my parents came from Europe after the war, after suffering deprivation of the war fought in their front yards, and the great depression before that? Does that sound like a life a privilege, that I was born with a silver spoon in my life?

I agreed that I could never really understand life as a black man in America. I have never lived in America for one, and I do not have a black heritage either. However, my wife is Korean, and my son is Korean-Canadian; vicariously, I have suffered through various social indignities and assaults with them: intrusive and incompetent immigration procedures, social shunning, in Korea pushing and shoving on the street, in Australia spitting, in Canada taunts, epithets and ignorant comments especially at my son. And of course the day-to-day slights that come with the life of being an expat in Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia for 15 years.

I have suffered from discriminatory treatment too. I have lost money and been prevented from jobs I would have liked and would have been qualified for. I understand what discrimination is like. And I am not of the opinion that I am better, or more privileged, in any way, than the black citizenry of Canada.
In fact, I see this reaction, of viewing whites through what is essentially a stereotyped prism generated by longstanding attitudes of victimization, as unfair. I am not the token white.

It is like someone with a longterm terminal illness, who struggles with pain every day. This person sees someone who breakes his leg, but does not respond with compassion. Instead, he says, "what's wrong with you?! what are you whining for? that does not really hurt - you don't know pain like I do! In a month, you will be walking around again. Me? I might not even be here in a month!" I feel sorry for the person who has the illness. But why does that negate the pain of a broken leg? Why does that not arouse compassion, but derision? And why respond with anger? Did the person with the broken leg give you that illness? If not, then why not face the end of life with gratitude, compassion, and hope? Isn't that a better way?

We all suffer from discrimination: white, blacks, non-royal Saudis, non-Saudi Muslims, Christians, women, men, children. Discrimination has no face. It is as diverse as all of us. And I would wish that our common suffering would bind us together, because that makes us all stronger.