White Strain

White Strain is a theory acknowledging the institutionalized abatement of white privilege. White privilege is historically rooted into American culture; nevertheless as society embarks into new social policy adjustments within the public and private sector, white privilege dwindles. This concept may seem false to minorities or those who have not benefited from white privilege. It is my belief, white individuals currently suffer from White Strain. Historically white males have had access to the pursuit of happiness based on lineage; according to Explaining White Privilege to a Broke White Person by Gina Crosley Corcoran, being born with white skin in America affords people certain unearned privileges in life that people of another skin color simple are not afforded. For example:

• “I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented.”
• “When I am told about our national heritage or about “civilization,” I am shown that people of my color made it what it is.”
• “If a traffic cop pulls me over or if the IRS audits my tax return, I can be sure I haven’t been singled out because of my race.”
• “I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.”

Moreover, White Strain suggest those who were afforded special accommodations based on skin color will no longer have these privileges. For example, John Doe recently graduated high school, the conventional path would provide him with the opportunity to acquire a sufficient paying job without a college education. However, due to sensible social policies along with a higher minority college graduation rate, John Doe may be forced to take a hourly position which still pays more than minimum wage. John Doe can survive without a comparable education to his minority counterparts.

White Strain is created when his siblings or cousins graduate from college and obtain a well paying job with a local accounting firm or law firm. John Doe has positioned himself into a class where he can not keep up with the Jones. Family or culture rivalry is the focus of this theory. Henceforth, John will blame minorities for his misfortune; John looks at minorities as a threat to his ability to gain upward mobility. White Strain which is a social structure within society may pressure John into committing an unlawful act or cause him to become prejudice against a particular group of people.

In parallel, minorities are held at the same standard as whites; however, these standard may only reflect short term upward mobility e.g. Obtaining a entry level management position at Kohl’s Department Stores. This form of upward growth within the minority community is socially approved.

“My momma was raised in an era when,Clean water was only served to the fairer skin, Doing clothes you would have thought I had help, But they wasn’t satisfied unless I picked the cotton myself.” (Kanye West — New Slave 2013)