Another political phrase (‘woke’ and ‘cancel culture’) new to me is “white grievance” so I’ve done some research and will give my thoughts. First, some definitions:
Reddit – Grievance – a feeling of resentment over something believed to be wrong or unfair.
Basically, Trump claims white people are unfairly treated as “bad guys” in current circumstances.
The Washington Post, Steven Gillon
Beginning in the 1960s, many white men perceived the changes wrought by the rights movements and increased immigration not as building a fairer, more diverse society and rectifying past wrongs, but as a direct assault on them and their values…They fumed about companies and schools giving preference to less-qualified minorities in an effort to achieve greater diversity. And they’ve battled against liberal academics who want to erase them from the history books by stressing multiculturalism and celebrating the contribution of minorities while distorting and minimizing the achievements of white men.
Breitbart.com, Jeff Poor
According to O’Reilly, that rise is fueled by what he deemed to be “white grievance,” which he specifically defined as white working class males that feel disaffected by both political parties…
The Black grievance industry is a powerful force. That group sells the notion that most problems in the African-American precincts are caused by White people and historical oppression.
While the media gives that view a lot of attention, most African-Americans themselves reject the propaganda. Recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation says 61 percent of American blacks believe the breakdown of the African-American family is a major reason for the economic deprivation in social problems in the black community. Now, in the White side the issue is similar. Many white Americans believe that illegal immigration hurts their job prospects and are angered by changing neighborhoods and changing social patterns. Their refrain is often, ‘I want my country back.’ These voters are tired of seeing welfare doled out to people who are not motivated to succeed or even American citizens.
So ‘white grievance’ appears to be a political subset made up of white men angry over the shift away from their being in charge and at the same time being blamed for much of the nation’s ills.
Apparently, President Trump tapped into white anger when he won in 2016 as he struck a chord with the vast group of blue collar workers pushed out of good paying jobs. Those men not only saw their own well-being slipping but they saw the once mighty middle class shrinking. So Trump, speaking to their pain, got their votes.
So do white men have a legitimate grievance? In some situations – Yes. There are more than a few instances where white men have been passed over for less qualified people of color in order to meet hiring or enrollment quotas either mandated or perceived.
Where they do not have a sound grievance is when they think they have privilege or preference because of color. Listen, we are all people of color – shades of brown. We have got to be color-blind. A color does not qualify or disqualify. What should qualify is character, preparations (experience) and physical ability (a blind person should not be a truck driver). Acts 17:26, And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth… 29, Therefore, since we are the offspring of God. All men are equal before God but there are cultural differences which should be respected (every nation).
There is much said about ‘white privilege’ these days and there is surely some truth in the charge. However, while some “privilege” does fall to whites by other whites (some of it happens by way of inheritance, Proverbs 13:22), some of the said “privilege” could be God’s favor on men who are modeling the ways of Jesus. Such favor is seen on all colors (Ben Carson, Tony Evans) and is available to all men, not just whites. Rather than a blanket condemnation of white men, there ought to be thankfulness for their service in our society and a bent to helping all men know and model Jesus.
White grievance probably has some legs which should be considered and policies and actions that anger must be ended. On the other hand, white grievance should not be an entity that gets political traction. Anger needs addressed and should not be used to get one’s way – the temper tantrum should be checked.
a PK Musing 
Leave a comment