Enlighten us then. What have you gone through that was negative that had specifically to do with your background, whatever it may be that was not a one off incident but a constant in your life or the lives of others with your background?
I'm Hispanic and I myself tire of the Black/White psychodrama of America because it's something that sucks the oxygen out of the room leaving other issues unaddressed. And I'll be the first to say that there are a lot of times "White people", get crapped on as a whole and in ways that are unfair... But it's always interesting that just bringing up that there is a privilege to being a White American sets some off. I went to a majority White High School having transferred from NYC to the rural lands of Pennsylvania. I've never been "street" even though I was raised in Brooklyn. Too "nerdy". Called a coconut by other Hispanics too often (brown outside, white inside). I wasn't a type inclined to be a trouble maker to begin with but I had a weight that my friends didn't have. As someone with a full on WAY too ethnic name (Miguel Alejandro Velez... Seriously mom?) I knew that I had to walk a straight and narrow MORE than my white peers. Why? Because if they got into minor trouble it would have been "boys will be boys". Slap on the wrist. I get called in front of a magistrate as a teen and the book will get thrown at me. That's but one of a plethora of examples of the biases that people of color face in the nation all the time for their whole lives. And yeah... The Martin hoodie thing resonates because it's based in a reality that while it makes some uncomfortable or elicits a snickering reaction is reflective of the real world.
That there are negative feedback loops of pathologies inside communities of color in this country that yeah, have a lot to do with just plain old bad choices doesn't somehow negate the existence and perpetuation of racial biases or structural and systemic racism in all facets of society, even yes, when as in law enforcement sometimes the perpetrators and upholders of those biases and systemic oppressive policies are themselves African or Hispanic Americans.
Everyone has their struggles. Just because someone is born "white" doesn't mean their life is a cakewalk or that things are handed to them, and no one in good faith that brings up "privilege" should suggest that. But it's disingenuous to say it's non-existent, or has not come into play in many situations in life in comparison to black and brown skinned citizens who are facing the same challenges white citizens have PLUS the lack of consideration that simply being white does grant one in various situations. We can just look at the headlines to see that yeah... Being a clean cut an average looking white guy at Starbucks probably means you can stay at a table for while before ordering. Do that as a clean cut, average looking African-American and apparently you get to go through the process of arrest and all that entails.
As for the show... Yeah, there's some clunkiness at times, even I will admit that. At the same time, I think taking that aspect of Cage and his world seriously has yielded some good material and performances. The back and forth Claire and he had in Ep 3 was very good because it illustrated issues Luke has but it also CHALLENGED Luke at the same time. My take was that yeah, Luke may have a right to be angry for any number of reasons, but it's not legitimate to let his anger lead him by the nose as all that does is make his life worse and the lives of those around him. As in politics, anger, outrage and resentment feel GREAT. But they aren't a solution to anything, whether as policy or as a way to live your life. That doesn't mean there aren't legit reasons to be angry but if anger is the start and finish of what you bring to the table (and sometimes, yeah, maybe even question whether you are even getting angry at the right thing) then end result is gonna be way more heat than light.
