Voters Tired of “Privilege” Hustle

While race still matters, we would be foolish not to consider privilege primarily in terms of class; for there are millions of poor white people in America for whom their skin color brings no advantage at all, to whom the progressive emphasis on white privilege is offensive – and justifiably so.

John Wood, Jr. (USA Today)

The New York Times reports Democrats predict a “midterm trouncing” because of “Biden’s struggle to advance the bulk of his agenda.” Wow! Even CNN sees a Red Wave in November, citing inflation and rising crime. Of course a bad economy matters, but that doesn’t explain the seething anger showing up in poll after poll. That would be the culture war, and it’s driving non-whites and women to the GOP.

Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has a blunt explanation: “Voters are tired of that crap.” Five months out, Democrats are losing a culture war, which they started but cannot win. The consequences will be a crushing blow to identity politics and the birth of the next Republican president.

A cadre of prominent Republicans – DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and Tim Scott – are doing unto “privilege” what Ronald Reagan did unto “liberal” in 1980. They are at once appealing to everyday people and putting Democrats on the defensive. This is exactly the point of the opening quote from John Wood (son of white father and black mother); Democrat cries of “white privilege” are driving poor whites away from the party.

The same day, as if on cue, Barrack Obama (son of black father and white mother) went DEFCON 1 at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, expressing “little sympathy” for critics of cancel culture, re-branding “racism and sexism and homophobia” as the “original identity politics,” claiming some “preserve existing privilege” by “condemning identity politics,” forgiving any “tweet from an aggrieved liberal,” and equating January 6 to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Those poor Democrats seeking re-election to Congress. If it’s not Biden’s ruinous policies, it’s Obama’s identity politics and existing privilege sound bites. It’s insanity, when numerous polls show Asians and Hispanics equate identity politics with fewer AP classes and more crime, while Catholics and parents attribute privilege gripes to anti-church and anti-family socialists.

This is no way to hold onto power, not after Virginia swung back to the GOP in 2021. That silent majority tired of being lumped into a “privileged” group (Christian – male – straight – white – you name it) because the average voter copes with his/her problems, thinks his/her family values are right, and wants to believe in American exceptionalism.

As a practical matter, why race-shame at all? A 2019 study by Winthrop University found 71% of whites agree that non-whites face “barriers” that whites do not. But, only 50% of whites agree that whites have “privilege” non-whites lack. John Wood’s opening quote – there ARE millions of poor white people in America – explains the findings of the Winthrop study (see misery table below).

Because higher percentages of the non-white population live troubled lives, 71% of whites will admit “barriers” exist for non-whites in America. But, because higher numbers of the white population live troubled lives, 50% of whites will not agree that “white privilege” exists in America. They see what’s really going on in America; all working-class folks are hurting.

This also squares with my life’s observations that few families credit “privilege” for their state of affairs. I’ve often heard Christians feel “blessed” and immigrants feel “fortunate” to have good educations and jobs, but I usually hear “privilege” credited for someone else’s better state of affairs, which is why Democrats invoked white privilege to oppose Georgia’s election-integrity laws.

Numerous polls find almost all voters feel put out by one or more “privilege” accusations; employers hiring fewer “privileged” persons, local schools ending merit-based programs, city councils enacting defund-the-police policies, or school districts allowing boys to compete in girls sports. That’s disappointment and why likely Democrat voters are not enthused about the mid-terms.

Numerous reports and articles document what happens when privileged groups (Christian – male – straight – white – you name it) protest the above. They are banned from social media, fired for bigotry, put into a “deplorable” basket, or mocked for “clinging to their bibles.” That’s indignation and why likely GOP voters will turn out in record numbers on Election Day this fall.