Why I'll Never Apologize for My White Male Privilege

time.com/author/tal-fortgang/

Check his attitude!

I never thought I would be able to trudge through the long procession of misery and sacrifice of Tal's Jewish European ancestors, whose lowly existence and demise was finally rewarded here in America.

In his own words so far outside the bane of everyday people that live in the real world, not one of untouchable security where we hear how the privileged get their way.

Mr. Fortgang says...

The truth is, though, that I have been exceptionally privileged in my life, albeit not in the way any detractors would have it. It has been my distinct privilege that my grandparents came to America. First, that there was a place at all that would take them from the ruins of Europe. And second, that such a place was one where they could legally enter, learn the language, and acclimate to a society that ultimately "allowed them to flourish."

It was their privilege to come to a country that grants equal protection under the law to its citizens, that cares not about religion or race, but the content of your character. (Who is he kidding making a blanket statement like this?)

It was my privilege that my grandfather was blessed with resolve and an entrepreneurial spirit, and that "he was lucky enough" to come to the place where he could realize the dream of giving his children a better life than he had.

But far more important for me than his attributes was the legacy he sought to pass along, which forms the basis of what detractors call my "privilege," but which actually should be praised as one of "altruism and self-sacrifice." Those who came before us suffered for the sake of giving us a better life.

When we similarly sacrifice for our descendants by caring for the planet, it's called "environmentalism," and is applauded.

But when we do it by passing along property and a set of values, it's called "privilege."

(And when we do it by raising questions about our crippling national debt, we're called Tea Party radicals.)

Such sacrifice of any form shouldn't be scorned, but admired.

It's not a matter of white or black, male or female or any other division which we seek, but a matter of the values we pass along, the legacy we leave, that perpetuates "privilege." And there's nothing wrong with that.

While I haven't done everything for myself up to this point in my life, someone sacrificed themselves so that I can lead a better life. But that is a legacy I am proud of.

I have checked my privilege. And I apologize for nothing.

Tal Fortgang is a freshman from New Rochelle, NY. He plans to major in either History or Politics.



I get it already.

He's extremely proud of how everyone around him has suffered so much just so he can have a life of relative ease. So he doesn't actually have to get his hands or clothes dirty via his Ivy League education that will open doors for his rise to meteoric heights above all the rest of us.

This wet behind the ears up and coming politician doesn't know the first thing about personal sacrifice. Or about what really makes the world go round.

I guess one day all of us lowlier folks will be commenting on all the decisions this young whipper snapper will make for others that he can't relate to once he gets in office too.

Good grief...

Another Republican in the making...

actually another Statist/Collectivist fully developed!

He is paying extreme Homage to his name,the Jacka$$!
Typical Progressive Leech!

So true.

And I would have cried for him if he wasn't so damn retarded and stuck on himself.

Karl would be proud of him!