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posted by cmn32480 on Wednesday November 04 2015, @07:11PM   Printer-friendly
from the time-to-skip-middle-age dept.

Gina Kolata reports at The New York Times that something startling is happening to middle-aged white Americans. Unlike every other age group, unlike every other racial and ethnic group, unlike their counterparts in other rich countries, death rates in this group have been rising, not falling, primarily because of the declining health and fortunes of poorly educated American whites who are dying at such a high rate that they are increasing the death rate for the entire group of middle-aged white Americans. "It is difficult to find modern settings with survival losses of this magnitude," say Ellen Meara and Jonathan S. Skinner.

Though not fully understood, the increased deaths are largely thought to be a result of more suicides and the misuse of drugs and alcohol, driven by easier access to powerful prescription painkillers, cheaper high quality heroin and greater financial stresses. Death rates for people with a high school education or less rose by 22 percent while they actually fell for those with a college education. The rise in death rates among middle-aged white Americans means half a million more people have died in the US since 1998 than if the previous trend had continued. The death toll is comparable to the 650,000 Americans who lost their lives during the Aids epidemic from 1981 to the middle of this year, the researchers say. Anne Case and Angus Deaton warn that middle-aged Americans who are turning to drink and drugs are set to suffer more health problems than their elders unless the downwards trend can be halted. "This is not automatic. If the epidemic is brought under control, its survivors may have a healthy old age. However, addictions are hard to treat and pain is hard to control, so those currently in midlife may be a 'lost generation' whose future is less bright than those who preceded them."


Original Submission

Related Stories

Kroger Supermarkets to Carry Naloxone Without a Prescription 29 comments

In order to help fight the heroin epidemic in the northeast United States, Kroger supermarkets and CVS pharmacies will carry the anti-overdose (opioid antagonist) drug naloxone (trade name: Narcan) over the counter:

Ohio-based grocery chain Kroger Co. said Friday it will make the overdose-reversal drug naloxone available without a prescription in its pharmacies across Ohio and northern Kentucky, a region hard-hit by deadly heroin. Kroger said more than 200 of its pharmacies will offer naloxone over the counter within days. "We want families dealing with addiction to know that they can count on having the drug available in the event that they need it," Jeff Talbot, Kroger vice president of merchandising, said in a statement.

Ohio fire crews and other first responders use naloxone thousands of times a year to revive opioid overdose victims. Ohio overdose deaths jumped 18 percent in 2014, one of the nation's sharpest increases. Those on the front lines of the battle against heroin's spread have increasingly supported allowing and educating families and friends of addicts to administer naloxone in emergencies.

State regulators in Ohio and Kentucky have allowed the drug to be sold over the counter. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, joined Kroger officials at a Cincinnati grocery store for the retailer's announcement. Portman has been pushing a multi-pronged heroin bill in the Senate that includes expanded availability of naloxone. "This marks an important step in our fight to combat addiction and we all need to continue to work for a bottom-up, comprehensive approach to the heroin epidemic," Portman, from the Cincinnati area, said in a statement.

CVS said recently it will soon offer naloxone without a prescription at its Ohio pharmacies.

Naloxone became available over the counter in Australia on February 1.

In the U.S., there are currently a patchwork of state laws which govern access to Naloxone.

In the U.K. as of 1 October, 2015, "...[A]ny worker in a commissioned drug service can now distribute naloxone without prescription."

Related: Alarming Rise in Death Rates for Middle-Aged White Americans


Original Submission

Obama Administration Expands Access to Suboxone Treatment 10 comments

The Obama administration is loosening restrictions on buprenorphine/Suboxone prescriptions in order to fight the "heroin epidemic", while calling on Congress to act on a request for $1.1 billion in additional funding for opioid treatment programs across the U.S.:

The Obama administration is making it easier for people addicted to opioids to get treatment. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced new rules Wednesday to loosen restrictions on doctors who treat people addicted to heroin and opioid painkillers with the medication buprenorphine. Doctors who are licensed to prescribe the drug, which is sold mostly under the brand name Suboxone, will be allowed to treat as many as 275 patients a year. That's almost triple the current limit of 100, and HHS estimated that as many as 70,000 more people may have access to the drug as a result.

"There are a number of ways we are trying to increase access to medication-assisted treatment," said Michael Botticelli, the director of national drug control policy, on a conference call with reporters. "This rule itself expands access and gets more physicians to reach more patients."

Suboxone is itself an opioid. It eases withdrawal symptoms and cravings, but doesn't make people high. [...] Botticelli said an average 129 people a day die from opioid overdoses.

Here is some basic information about the differences between buprenorphine (Suboxone) and Naloxone (Narcan).

Previously:
White House Announces Heroin Response Strategy for the US Northeast
Alarming Rise in Death Rates for Middle-Aged White Americans
Kroger Supermarkets to Carry Naloxone Without a Prescription
4/20: Half-Baked Headline


Original Submission

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  • (Score: 0, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @07:20PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @07:20PM (#258472)

    Us poor down-trodden honkies. Next you know, they'll ban Abba and Barry Manilow.

    • (Score: 3, Informative) by DECbot on Wednesday November 04 2015, @07:21PM

      by DECbot (832) on Wednesday November 04 2015, @07:21PM (#258473) Journal

      I thought those were already banned in public places.

      --
      cats~$ sudo chown -R us /home/base
      • (Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @08:22PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @08:22PM (#258494)

        pssst, between you and me, they should

        • (Score: 3, Funny) by edIII on Wednesday November 04 2015, @11:20PM

          by edIII (791) on Wednesday November 04 2015, @11:20PM (#258567)

          I know your problem. It's YOU. I suffer the same thing. The moment Dancing Queen comes on in public, I'm a seventeen year old girl in the club getting freaky....

          --
          Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
  • (Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @07:33PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @07:33PM (#258475)

    Obama does not care about White people.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @09:50PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @09:50PM (#258540)

      The trend started around 1999. And his mother is white.

      • (Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Wednesday November 04 2015, @11:16PM

        by Ethanol-fueled (2792) on Wednesday November 04 2015, @11:16PM (#258565) Homepage

        Why does everything always have to be about race? Sheesh.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @01:59PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @01:59PM (#258834)

        1999. When we had our FIRST black president still in office, Bill Clinton.

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @08:35PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @08:35PM (#259072)

          You're thinking of George Clinton. Chocolate city, right on!

    • (Score: 3, Insightful) by edIII on Wednesday November 04 2015, @11:24PM

      by edIII (791) on Wednesday November 04 2015, @11:24PM (#258569)

      Guys.... stop with the Troll moderation... It's a modified quote from Kanye West, one that people are now lauding as insightful and correct. Originated from the Katrina floods when he was on the air and had a 'moment', that was quite frankly, understandable and forgivable under the circumstances.

      By doing so, it's the reverse of George Bush not caring about black people. Obama not caring about white people.

      I don't know what to moderate it, but trolling doesn't seem fair.

      --
      Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
      • (Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Thursday November 05 2015, @01:44PM

        by LoRdTAW (3755) on Thursday November 05 2015, @01:44PM (#258819) Journal

        Its funny. Mod it funny. Or have you no sense of humor?

  • (Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @07:47PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @07:47PM (#258481)

    Maybe now the GOP will be open to a single payer health plan. If not, they will not have a base left to pander to.

    • (Score: 5, Insightful) by ikanreed on Wednesday November 04 2015, @08:16PM

      by ikanreed (3164) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday November 04 2015, @08:16PM (#258490) Journal

      You don't understand the right wing mindset well enough. It's far more important for them to stop the vague set of people they don't like than it is to help the people they do like.

      In general people on the left are constantly confused when their "look, government spending disproportionately benefits republican voters" points don't hold much sway in arguments. Because the mere possibility of any kind of support being given to someone who "doesn't deserve it" is an instant anathema to certain mindsets.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @02:00AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @02:00AM (#258622)

        "You don't understand the right wing mindset well enough."

        See the science on reasoning:

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYmi0DLzBdQ [youtube.com]

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @06:25AM

          by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @06:25AM (#258717)

          Who the fuck has time to watch a random youtube video?

          Lamer.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @08:20PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @08:20PM (#258493)

      It's just the Market doing its job, removing the deadwood.

    • (Score: 3, Interesting) by mmcmonster on Thursday November 05 2015, @12:19AM

      by mmcmonster (401) on Thursday November 05 2015, @12:19AM (#258585)

      I work in the health care field in a rural white county.

      The population here is strongly against Obamacare, even those who personally got insurance because of it. They'd rather have no insurance and be on charity (and only get their health care in the hospital ER) than pay $100 a month for healthcare. They are good people. They don't want the government messing around with their affairs. They're not well educated and only seek medical care when there's no other option.

      Can they afford Obamacare? Depends. Most can, if they're willing to stop their pack-per-day smoking habit. But that requires some self control and delaying gratification.

      tl;dr - The poor whites aren't being pushed off the cliff. They're jumping off without even being asked.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @02:44AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @02:44AM (#258645)

        [...] only seek medical care when there's no other option.

        These may not be the ones dying from Oxycontin.

  • (Score: 5, Informative) by TrumpetPower! on Wednesday November 04 2015, @07:58PM

    by TrumpetPower! (590) <ben@trumpetpower.com> on Wednesday November 04 2015, @07:58PM (#258483) Homepage

    Huge numbers of people are out of work. Not just officially unemployed, but not even counted because they've given up hope of finding a job and thus aren't even looking.

    People with no prospects for work look for means of escape, including self-medication, and are less likely to care much about what little they might have. And caring less will lead to less attention for things like driving, which in turn can lead to more fatal errors.

    It's a shame the "wealth creators" have conned everybody into being so opposed to investing in our community. The last time we faced this sort of economic crisis, we created the Works Projects Administration...and the people the WPA hired built all the infrastructure that's served us for so well for so long but is now finally starting to decay. A new WPA for the new century would be about the best thing the country could do. We'd re-invest in our own infrastructure, and give countless people opportunities to do something productive with their lives.

    But, since that does fuck-all for the quarterly P&L statements for the parasite class....

    Cheers,

    b&

    --
    All but God can prove this sentence true.
    • (Score: 3, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @08:31PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @08:31PM (#258496)

      No, this is more idiotic medical research:

      Mortality rates are presented as deaths per 100,000. These are not age-adjusted within the 10-y 45–54 age group.

      I happened to already have this population data... You can see it is just the distribution of ages within that range (45-54) skewing from younger to older (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_boomers): [wikipedia.org]
      http://s10.postimg.org/m774e1bmg/pops.jpg [postimg.org]

      Data source:

      1990s
      http://www.census.gov/popest/data/intercensal/national/index.html [census.gov]
      Intercensal Estimates of the United States Civilian Population by Age and Sex,1990-2000: All Months

      2000s
      http://www.census.gov/popest/data/intercensal/national/nat2010.html [census.gov]
      Intercensal Estimates of the Resident Population by Single Year of Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin for the United States: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2010

      2010s
      http://www.census.gov/popest/data/datasets.html [census.gov]
      Annual estimates of the resident population by single year of age and sex for the United States: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014 (NC-EST2014-AGESEX-RES)

      • (Score: 3, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @09:01PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @09:01PM (#258511)

        Actually, looking at the percentages makes it more obvious: http://s7.postimg.org/wp94li18p/pops2.png [postimg.org]

        This is for the whole population (not just whites), but I bet the age shift is even stronger for that subgroup. Also, the last author on this paper has a nobel prize:

        In October 2015 it was announced that Deaton had won that year's Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angus_Deaton [wikipedia.org]

        Ridiculous.

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @01:21AM

          by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @01:21AM (#258608)

          The prize for economics is the one that tries to ride the coat-tails of the real Nobel Prizes, right?

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @02:08AM

            by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @02:08AM (#258625)

            Original AC here. Yea, it's true that prize is a fake nobel.

            Still, it is a very bad sign that people this incompetent are being rewarded in our society with professorships, prestigious prizes, and national media attention for their research . How is an apparently top level economist unaware of the baby boom and how this creates artifacts in data with binned ages? Not only that but the other author on the paper, the three reviewers and editor at PNAS, and the half dozen researchers quoted in the media about this topic. It's idiocracy out there.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @01:17AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @01:17AM (#258607)

      That's why I've suggested that Japan's "make work" programs may be better than having cheaper trinkets. A dude without a job is a pariah in our society (whether fair or not). That he can buy $8 plastic lawn-chairs matters to him much less than having a job. Plus, idle people are more likely to get into mayhem.

      (True, Japan has a high suicide rate, but it may be more of a cultural thing than due to the economy. It's more or less a "solution" accepted throughout their history.)

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @02:48AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @02:48AM (#258647)

        It could also be related to their insane working conditions.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @02:03AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @02:03AM (#258624)

      Sooner or later technology is going to put us all out of work... except for a few jobs like CEO and US Senator.

      That's if the bugs don't take over on account of global warming.

      We're doomed...

  • (Score: 4, Insightful) by RamiK on Wednesday November 04 2015, @08:07PM

    by RamiK (1813) on Wednesday November 04 2015, @08:07PM (#258486)

    Not without an income, medical care or housing.

    "It is difficult to find modern settings with survival losses of this magnitude"
    No it's not. Try the great depression.

    --
    compiling...
    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 06 2015, @08:17PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 06 2015, @08:17PM (#259628)

      The 1930's hasn't been considered "modern" for quite some time.

      How the hell your post was modded insightful baffles me.

  • (Score: 1, Funny) by Runaway1956 on Wednesday November 04 2015, @08:35PM

    by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday November 04 2015, @08:35PM (#258498) Journal
    • (Score: 2) by DeathMonkey on Wednesday November 04 2015, @10:16PM

      by DeathMonkey (1380) on Wednesday November 04 2015, @10:16PM (#258551) Journal

      Crap he's on to us!
       
      Let's hope he doesn't realize that our suicide-inducing mind-control rays can be easily blocked by tinfoil.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @08:46PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @08:46PM (#258502)

    here [slashdot.org]

    • (Score: 3, Touché) by DeathMonkey on Wednesday November 04 2015, @10:18PM

      by DeathMonkey (1380) on Wednesday November 04 2015, @10:18PM (#258554) Journal

      Yep, definitely wanted to kill myself after visiting that link. Good point AC.

  • (Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @09:19PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 04 2015, @09:19PM (#258525)

    Legalize heroin.

    And cannabis, cocaine, lsd, meth, etc.

  • (Score: 5, Insightful) by cubancigar11 on Wednesday November 04 2015, @09:25PM

    by cubancigar11 (330) on Wednesday November 04 2015, @09:25PM (#258527) Homepage Journal

    The alarming rise of suicide among white men of USA becomes 'rise in death rates for middle-aged white Americans'.

    No mention of gender when if it is male? Check!
    Suicide becomes death in middle-age? Check!

    Great going. First define the problem away from unwanted solutions, then try to find solutions.

    • (Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Wednesday November 04 2015, @09:36PM

      by PartTimeZombie (4827) on Wednesday November 04 2015, @09:36PM (#258531)

      I'm pretty sure no-one gives a toss about middle-aged white men.

      • (Score: 5, Insightful) by Francis on Wednesday November 04 2015, @10:00PM

        by Francis (5544) on Wednesday November 04 2015, @10:00PM (#258543)

        Probably, but nobody cares about the huge number of young black men that just disappear either.

        Personally, I think they're both serious problems that need addressing, but because it involves men, it's considered less important than fictitious issues like the pay gap. Things are starting to change, I saw an ad up on the bus for a men's only homeless shelter, but for the most part, you better not be a man that fails. Because you're fucked.

        • (Score: 5, Insightful) by edIII on Wednesday November 04 2015, @11:44PM

          by edIII (791) on Wednesday November 04 2015, @11:44PM (#258575)

          The entire article is almost trolling quite frankly. It got me riled up, because I *feel* this way. Anytime people seem to mention racism and discrimination, they can in the same breath, somehow exclude white men from being victims at all. That's not unique to "me" either. Transgender people get excluded from gay and lesbian events historically, as well as bisexual people. A fact that very much surprised me when I learnt of it. Honestly expected them to have some solidarity, but I'm not surprised that some lesbians would be arrogant douches attempting to exclude some others for 'co-opting the discussion'.

          Basically, everyone can be guilty of this ugliness. I've noticed the behavior in minorities and those classes seeking protection against what they themselves are guilty of. I entirely object to affirmative action and social programs, that by definition, do not apply to me. Why? For the *sole* two reasons that I'm apparently white (even though my ancestry clearly indicates otherwise), and I possess a penis (a modest one).

          Do I not get to feel bad about that? I've been told, "No. You're a white male. You get everything in the world handed to you". Yet..... I don't. I've worked extremely hard with no handouts whatsoever. I'm deeply in the cracks with serious medical conditions and going on five years with no medical care and no hope. I'm NOT a woman or a minority, so most programs I don't have access to at all. In fact, when I show up, I always need to explain to financial services the same story. Those people keep asking me for money, or that I can clearly borrow from somebody.

          In the public, the discussion always seems to be same old shortsighted stupidity. There are TWO classes in America people. The 1%, and the 99%, and IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE COLOR OF ANYTHING, OR WHAT GENITALIA YOU PUT IN YOUR MOUTHS. The myth of the white man is exactly that. A myth. Most people don't know an extremely rich white man that's s sociopath like any Wall Street executive. I know a few (1 degree from Dick Cheney even), but the vast majority are working stiffs just like me, getting screwed over, just like everyone else. We are all equally fucked.

          As long as people keep up with this retarded bullshit, you're missing the ugly truth. The 1% is as diverse as you are globally, but pits the 99% against themselves with bullshit like this convincing them that "evil white men" are the problem, when the truth is that the average middle aged white man is just as fucked by the 1% as everyone else. Where they see lavish lives lived in decadence, articles like this show the ugly truth I live everyday. The fact I work for equality in all things is made meaningless by the color of my skin.

          It's hard, it's brutal, no one is coming to help, and my options are suicide or keep going by myself. Nobody will give me any lenience or slack because of my color, and I'm the only one that cares for my penis. If I'm still writing here tomorrow, well, you know what I chose.

          Yeah. I completely get why suicide rates are up. Nobody to blame anything on, and nobody gives a shit to listen to you.

          All I have to do to be the evil white man is this:

          #BlackLivesMatter to #WhiteLivesMatter. Both tags are true, yet one is acceptable.

          --
          Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @12:50AM

            by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @12:50AM (#258593)

            You were getting my sympathy until you used the ugly slur against intellectually disabled persons.

            • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @01:03AM

              by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @01:03AM (#258597)

              Retard? As in, retarded: not meeting full potential. A person that does not fully use their intelligence is just as retarded as someone with a mental disability which is physical incapable to thrive.

              To think that word means anything except its intended and original meaning is literally retarded.

            • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @01:34AM

              by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @01:34AM (#258610)

              Does anyone ever use it as a slur against intellectually disabled people?

              Do you really think that the parent meant any offence to the mentally handicapped? If not, then you should try to convince the parent to not use the word instead of saying something that might make him/her defensive.

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @01:52AM

            by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 05 2015, @01:52AM (#258619)

            The US decided to develop certain programs to try to correct some of the disparities that are caused, at least in part, by low-income status and race. It is unfortunate that not everyone who is down on their luck has government help available to them and that some people take advantage of government help when they don't need it.

            I think many people get confused and assume that all white men have an advantage and are, therefore, the enemy that is keeping them in a disadvantaged state. Two problems with this is that they ignore the fact that everyone is subject to bias and that the vast majority of people, including white men, are pro-equality.

          • (Score: 2) by joshuajon on Thursday November 05 2015, @03:08PM

            by joshuajon (807) on Thursday November 05 2015, @03:08PM (#258876)

            I'm reasonably certain you'll scoff at what I'm about to say, but it's worth a shot anyhow. Part of the idea when people talk about white privilege or male privilege is that it isn't apparent. Some have even made the argument that we are conditioned to ignore it as a fundamental part of it's nature. Here's a list of examples from an essay called Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack that I encourage you to consider. If you find even some of these things to be true consider that they might not be true for those of another race. That's the white privilege you asserted doesn't exist:

            1. I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.

            2. If I should need to move, I can be pretty sure of renting or purchasing housing in an area which I can afford and in which I would want to live.

            3. I can be pretty sure that my neighbors in such a location will be neutral or pleasant to me.

            4. I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed.

            5. I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented.

            6. When I am told about our national heritage or about "civilization," I am shown that people of my color made it what it is.

            7. I can be sure that my children will be given curricular materials that testify to the existence of their race.

            The rest of the essay is pretty enlightening as well. It can be found here [whiteprivilegeconference.com].

            • (Score: 2) by edIII on Thursday November 05 2015, @09:48PM

              by edIII (791) on Thursday November 05 2015, @09:48PM (#259114)

              I still, and will always, forever, continue to assert that white privilege and male privilege is not only offensive morally and intellectually, but is a complete myth. "Check your privilege" is about the worst thing I've seen the world produce in my life. You are essentially saying that certain advantages exist because of my skin or penis, and not *only* that, but that it controls the arguments that I can make. The *real* facts of a situation are irrelevant and/or immaterial, as long as I "check" my "privilege", find the color of my skin objectionable and not fit for purpose in the argument.

              No white man can ever complain since privilege exists for him, whether or not it is actually true nobody wants to talk about. I'm not scoffing at you, since you've presented yourself very well, and are asking for cooperation in an experiment. I will cooperate in good faith.

              1. I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.

              True for anybody, and any race. Unless you're speaking about a different country? Last time I checked in the United States our Constitution allows peaceful assembly as a right. It's been amended a few times, and I do believe at this point very little discrimination exists at all. Certainly not one as stupid as race. Quite frankly, if we still suffered from it, Muslims would be an interment camps like the Japanese were in World War II.

              If you think law enforcement picking on #BlackLivesMatter disproves my point, then sadly, you are deluded. Whether a group is multi-colored, white, black, or purple, it can very easily be subjected to abuse by those in power. It's a very dangerous and sad myth that the white man is above this.

              Kelly Thomas was white. His murderers were multi-colored and diverse men acting like animals behind badges. Where was his white privilege that day? It would be more accurate to say that rich people have privilege, when they can be recognized as such by their attackers. Predators and abusers, that are found everywhere, truly don't care about the color of skin. Only who you know, how well you can defend yourself, etc. Typical operating procedures for cowards and badged brigands.

              2. If I should need to move, I can be pretty sure of renting or purchasing housing in an area which I can afford and in which I would want to live.

              Nope. Certainly not just because I'm white with a penis. In the past, absolutely yes. That was because of six figure income (worked my ass off), I owned multiple houses (again, worked my ass off), and never failed to pay a bill. Ever. I'm not sure if my credit report said "WHITE PRIVILEGE HERE" on the top of it, but I'm fairly certain it had far more to do with my ability to speak, how I presented myself, and the color-blind facts of my credit report and assets.

              Now, I have two foreclosures because some sociopaths on Wall Street sold my houses twice, for a total of four times, with no mortgage note being transferred or ultimately available for production. With full doc and six figures no bank would even speak to me. Looking nice, white, and male, apparently made no difference speaking to the bank employees. In 18 months all of the equity was gone, and the country had tanked.

              Guess how much ability I have now to find a place? Guess if my "white privilege" is working against me? It is. I've been turned down several times solely because of my penis. I realize that it's illegal under law, but can I really get made at a 50 year old woman for not wanting to live with a man she doesn't know? I promise you this; My "white privilege" hasn't magically found me a roommate in the last 7 weeks of looking. Nor has it found an apartment complex willing to let me in... without a near $2,000 nonrefundable deposit because of my credit report.

              My "white privilege" is clearly malfunctioning. Moving on.

              3. I can be pretty sure that my neighbors in such a location will be neutral or pleasant to me.

              No. That's BECAUSE I'm white with a penis. I've noticed my entire life that I've needed to convince people that I'm *not* some soul sucking Republican wanting to oppress them. If there is a black man that feels uncomfortable around strange groups of people because of his skin, he should know that many white guys like me don't have it any different. We can feel just as self-conscious, and I've walked up to groups of people and felt myself prejudged.

              Regardless of that, I ultimately know that my neighbors will be pleasant to me if they aren't insufferable assholes or bitches. Why? I don't rely on my "white privilege". I rely on the fact I'm a genuinely nice guy, and given the Golden Rule, it will only be a matter of time before I start receiving the same treatment from others.

              That's held true most of the time. The assholes who are determined to still be assholish to me, are not an indication of anything really. There's always a couple of em'.

              4. I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed.

              I go shopping alone most of the time anyways. I'm not exactly certain how to answer this question. I've experienced being followed before. You know what? I've been followed with intent eyes around a convenience store before. I've even been asked to find something and leave before.

              Still think it's a bullshit question though, and it has more to do with how the individual is presenting themselves. Mark "Fuck Your Privacy" Zuckerberg would get the same treatment walking into a convenience store with a hoodie and sun glasses. A big black man dressed to the 9's smiling and speaking nicely? I honestly don't think so. I see a gangsta thug because of the dress, tattoos, their body language, and they way they present themselves. Yes, I do somewhat prejudge them and am very careful till I can assess them. That's a color-blind stereotype. Take the same man, even a black one, and dress him in a suit, have him act naturally, speak cogently, and smile? I might be walking up to him to say hi, introduce myself, or ask if he needs assistance.

              5. I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented.

              Uhhhh.... which race isn't? Last time I checked (which I don't watch commercials or advertising) TV was very diverse. Grimm has a black detective, Stitchers is very diverse (across the board and the two people in charge are black and Muslim), and that's off the top of my head. Honestly, other than the joke about their being no Muslims in Star Trek, I'm not seeing how this can be possibly be true or related to "white privilege" in any way, shape, or form. Haven. That's about the only show I can that doesn't represent very well, but that's actually explainable. Why would there be black people in a town hidden by magic, that has been since the 1600's?

              Unless by race you mean transgendered or similar? That's changing. Some dude turned into a chick is apparently the new hotness for media to latch on to.

              6. When I am told about our national heritage or about "civilization," I am shown that people of my color made it what it is.

              I'm American. We're told the truth. White people didn't make America. Immigrants looking for better lives unwilling to put up with any shit from a king is what made my country. Later on, it was Chinese labor that did quite a bit of it, followed by a lot of contributions from Mexicans. Of course, there is that whole ugly forced labor deal with black people we purchased from slave traders. They contributed quite a bit to the building of America.

              America isn't about white people. America is about freedom, opportunity, and equality. At least on paper.

              7. I can be sure that my children will be given curricular materials that testify to the existence of their race.

              BWAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHH!!!!!!!

              Sorry, but that is some intensely funny shit. Are we talking about some backasswards people like the state of Kansas or Oklahoma? What books refuse to testify to the existence of a people? I never read of a book that doesn't testify to the existence of people, but I know of plenty that refuse to testify to anything older than 6500 years.

              Yes. 1000% yes. I'm 100% positive that curricular materials for my children will be accurate. From an anthropological perspective, they will receive accurate information about the culture and origins of different races of people across time and history.

              The rest were pretty much the same bullshit, but let me touch on this one:

              21. I can go home from most meetings
              of organizations I belong to feeling
              somewhat tied in, rather than isolated,
              out-of-place, outnumbered, unheard,
              held at a distance, or feared.

              I'll let you take a wild guess on this one. I don't feel like I belong to shit, even though I share the same dreams, ideals, and vision as anyone seeking equality in the world. Please stop deluding yourself. "White Privilege" doesn't exist except as some irrational hurtful bullshit some people say. I've never felt privileged for one second in my entire life.

              I feel right now that if I were to attempt to join a group fighting for equal rights, that some people may not accept me initially because I'm a white male that looks fresh from a Republican convention. Yeah, I feel very outside of everything and excluded.

              It may have something to do with fucking idiots saying "white privilege" to me all the time while I've nearly lost everything in my life, and to my knowledge, plenty of people across all colors and races (including white) have as well. It doesn't exist for me, and I can't find existence of for others either.

              I'm not trying to call you a fucking idiot either, it's just very hurtful for me to continually hear this stuff. I don't have a lot of appreciation for the malfunctioning intellects that promulgate it, and I sorely wish they would open their eyes and hearts to the truth. I'm one of you. Stop excluding me please on the basis of my skin and gender.

      • (Score: 4, Funny) by Mr Big in the Pants on Thursday November 05 2015, @12:23AM

        by Mr Big in the Pants (4956) on Thursday November 05 2015, @12:23AM (#258588)

        "I'm pretty sure no-one gives a toss about middle-aged white men."

        BS.

        Divorce lawyers, salesmen, fast food outlets and other parasites love this sort of host...

        • (Score: 1) by dierdorf on Thursday November 05 2015, @05:11AM

          by dierdorf (5887) on Thursday November 05 2015, @05:11AM (#258685) Homepage

          "I'm pretty sure no-one gives a toss about middle-aged white men."

          Actually, the comment should say that no-one gives a toss about STUPID UNEDUCATED middle-aged white men. They are much more likely to belong to the NRA and the Tea Party than does the general population, and the more of them die, the better off the USA will be. Survival Of The Fittest has a converse: Death of the Dumbest.