This map has been making the rounds on the internet. Some find it surprising. It shouldn’t be surprising.
- White privilege is a real thing. Being white has all kinds of benefits--from being more likely to survive encounters with law enforcement, to getting jobs and easy credit. Those benefits extend across the spectrum of incomes and lifestyles.
- White people don’t want to lose those privileges. It’s nice to fantasize about an America where everybody has it as easy as white folks, but that’s a long ways away, if we ever get there at all. In the meantime, it’s close to a zero-sum game. (Frankly, I find it more surprising, and encouraging, that a substantial minority of whites are willing to do the right thing and stand up for equality.)
- White people get, instinctively, that the way to preserve white privilege is to prevent Black people, in particular, from gaining political power. The way to prevent Black people from gaining political power is oppose the candidate Black people are supporting, even when that candidate is someone admirable like Hillary Clinton, and when even when the opponent is clearly unqualified.
But what keeps some progressives (well, some white progressives, anyway) from understanding and acting on these facts? Why are they surprised by that map?
Here’s why I think they’re surprised:
- Most political analysis ignores or hides the fact that elections generally have an overwhelming majority of Blacks on one side, and a solid majority of whites on the other side. Instead, we hear and see endless chatter about candidates and parties appealing to made-up constituencies (Reagan Democrats, soccer moms, millennials), while ignoring what’s really going on, which is, generally, #3 above.
- This problem is even worse among progressive writers and analysts. Remember “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” As if Democrats’ limited appeal to white voters had anything to do with so-called “cultural” issues. At the time, it was, generally due to #3 above. It still is.
- Even worse is the fantasy that there is such a thing as progressive populism. Sure, populist rhetoric will, for a brief time in a primary battle, bring over some white voters into the “progressive” camp. However, that fades quickly—certainly by the time of the following general election. See #3 above.
So, to my fellow white progressives: Let’s get over being surprised about the map. Let’s put aside old, failed ideological fantasies and recognize the U.S. political reality.
Let’s choose sides and get wholeheartedly behind the multiracial movement for equality that is today’s Democratic Party.