The Interracial Concerns Committee sponsored a panel discussion in Collis Common Ground last night to discuss the question "Is White Male Privilege a Myth or Reality?"
Director of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Mary Childers moderated the panel. The panel members were English Department Chair William Cook, Sociology Professor Steven Cornish, History Professor Mary Kelley, English Professor Donald Pease and Dean of Residential Life Mary Turco.
Cook opened the discussion by speaking in what he called "general terms." He identified two mythical characterizations of white males.
"I want to discuss what I think are two simplistic approaches," Cook said. "One of those is the myth of the 'angry, white male.' The second of those is what I call Rodney Kingism -- 'can't we get along.'"
"Both are silly and stupid," he said.
He also pointed out some contradictions influenced by the "white male privilege." He noted that women and minorities must be "highly qualified," while others need only meet basic qualifications.
"We want a highly qualified black woman, or perhaps even a black woman lesbian with one leg," Cook said.
Tracing its existence through the development of coeducation at the College, Turco had a different take on the issue of "white male privilege."
She spoke about how several powerful, wealthy trustees were able to slow the process down by exercising their strong influence.
"Dartmouth's President [at that time, John Kemeny], whom I interviewed on the subject, told me that the vote for coeducation passed by a narrow margin," Turco said. "Even when it passed, the process itself was completed in stages, or 'installments,' to appease these privileged men.e
The disputes over laws which required equal facilities and resources for both men's and women's sports is another example she cited as the exercise of white male privilege.
"It took the college 25 years, from the implementation of coeducation to the mid-90's, to realize sports equality," she said.
Not all of the white male privileges have been equalized, as Turco pointed out.
"The most persistent male privilege is in the social and residential options," Turco said. "Males inherit the unearned privileges of controlling the College's social scene and having access to private residential beds."
Referring to the issue of "white male privilege" in terms of economic status and social class, Pease added a third element to the classification -- the middle class.
"We cannot lose sight of economic base in this discussion," he said. "Class is a crucial component."
"White male privilege is established on a triple-axis -- race, gender and class," Kelley said.
She referred mainly to the recent racial incidents at the College. Quoting Elizabeth Cady Stanton's 1892 speech to Congress, Kelley said, "we cannot be free when prejudice and bigotry remain. We can not suffer the 'crippling influences of fear.'"
Cornish strongly condemned the "white male privilege." "Privilege is a rather polite and weak way of expressing this. White maleness confers domination," he said.
He also looked at the reasons why "white male privilege" has become so entrenched in society. "White males are taught not to recognize or confront this privilege, and they have no training to see themselves as oppressors," Cornish said.
"White males cannot deny that the male hegemony has opened doors for them," he said. " The question now is how to undo it."
