24FA Class #2: 'The Whites' | White American Culture Lecture

Welcome to the Sociology 119 (SOC 119) live stream! SOC 119 is an innovative course taught by Dr. Sam Richards at The Pennsylvania State University. This is class two of the Fall 2024 Semester. This is the original live stream, which was broadcasted on Thursday, August 29, 2024 on Penn State's University Park Campus.

Feel free to participate in the comment section.
But please be kind.
Remember, this is a classroom.

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We live stream every class, Tuesday and Thursday (Eastern Time).
🏖️ August to 🍂 December, the stream happens from 1635-1750 (435-550pm).
☃️ January to 🌷 May, the stream happens from 1505-1620 (305-420pm).

Timestamps:
0:00:00 Topic and Volunteer Introductions
0:07:17 What Do You Know?
0:10:26 How Did You Learn?
0:18:09 White People vs. White Culture
0:24:29 White Americans & Non-White Americans
0:34:28 American Racial Population
0:38:21 Where’s the White Privilege?
0:45:35 Questions from the Chat
0:51:00 Comments from White Students
1:05:50 Final Questions

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Did you watch an ad and have questions about where the money is going?

Do you have a comment, question or concern?

Want to check out the slides and references used in this class:

This lecture has English closed captioning edited by students and volunteers.

#SOC119 #Racism #WhitePeople

[Nicole-dpks]

I listened to almost the full video before I decided to comment. I’m white. I grew up dirt poor. At age 9, my family lost our home and were basically homeless until my grandma took us and let us live in a tiny travel trailer in her backyard. I lived in California so I was a minority. I was surrounded by mostly Mexicans. Which was great growing up, honestly didn’t even noticed until high school. To hear that I have some unknown privilege or generational wealth has to be the most annoying thing. I worked two jobs most of my life. I got through community college. That’s where the poors go to college if you didn’t know. My parents didn’t pay for my schooling. Most of the scholarships at my community college were designated for brown or black people. Only one that everybody could apply to, including me. I can’t afford to buy a house. I’m so sick of hearing I have privilege when I’m barely surviving and I feel like it’s been that way my whole life.

Edited to add that I’m a girl. The name is Nicole. Not sure why y’all are calling me a he. 😅💁‍♀️

[noahh.]

It is so fascinating how a white person should be careful, be interested and understand different non-white cultures, when the other people dont even care about white culture.

[richardklanecky]

I like the way you make the students think for themselves! That is what education is supposed to be!

[Rincy]

at 22:37 when she is talking about the german word "digga" she completely misunderstood. "Digga" (pronounced quite similar to the english "digger") has nothing to do with any word beginning with N. It comes from "Dicker", german for "Big one" or even "fat one" and is meant and used like "Pal", "Mate" or "Bro". It originates with german hiphop culture.


The N-Word does exist in German, it is even almost identical in the german language as it is in the english language, just for one letter. (Seeing as it derives from the latin word for the color black in both languages). And that word in germany is not in use nowadays, it is as shunned as it is in english.

[michaelsanders]

Just a note, “Digga” is slang in northern Germany for “bro”. It has no historical baggage or racial connotation. Danke!

[PetrolJunkie]

My takeaway is that these people didn't really know anything about “white people”. Or “white culture.”

It's because there has been a one-sided discussion for so long the other side has been erased from the conversation.

[elminweatherbee]

I have traveled to many countries in the world and America is the least racist of any place I have been.

[jimmymichaud]

As someone from the white state of Maine, I have witnessed more classist than racist situatuons. Growing up, the majority of black and brown people i encountered were middle class suburban type people and other than the novelty of being non-white were just that, middle class suburban people. More recently the influx of black and brown people migrating from lower income urban areas seems to be changing how many view the difference in races. To me, in my personal experiences, socioeconomic status seems to be the more prevalent difference in cultures than color

[timwierenga]

Man, Dr. Richards, I wish I could travel back in time, go to Penn State, and take your class. I'll def settle for just following along as long as you keep posting these incredible topics of conversation. SOC 119 4 life

[silkyjohnson]

Quick clarification, at 22:40, or there abouts she mentions the German slang term "Digga". This word does not share a root with the other, offensive English word. It's based on the word "dicke(r)" which means "fat" and has been used for decades, and was picked up in the German hiphop scene.

[laurencezemlick]

This class has become self-aware of its own popularity. These kids are being careful not to saying something absolutely stupid like I’ve seen in some older videos.

[simong]

I like the question ‚if you go to Africa you’ll be recognized as an American, no matter the skin color.’ Same in Europe. There are white people. There are black people. And then there are people behaving American. And those Americans not acting recognizably American are assumed to be either European, Asian, or African, or whatever. But no one thinks ‘oh, an African American or white American.’ The denominator is American. Not far gone ancestry.

[matthewfocheezy]

I'm proud that PSU is having these conversations... this is a teacher that other teachers should look up to

[eciesz]

This is a great class. I think adults could benefit from this type of interaction.

[darraghpolimeni]

This professor is awesome, his style and approach provokes thought and is affective. I like how he doesn't push his opinions but rather just presents facts and how to conclude from those facts.

[Makmurf]

I wish you would have a cultural discussion about why in the world we use the word “LIKE” so much.

[mia]

Santa is white because it’s based on a European character. White (European) culture does exist.

[lanes]

Professor: Explain white privilege.
Students:

[bod_optimus]

As a white American I can say we have to be more careful then other races with what we do and say because everything can be interpreted as racial. If we have a black idol or we listen to certain music or wear certain clothes it's always we are trying to steal it or make it white. Maybe we just like it. Other races have integrated our style and tastes and we just have to accept it amd move on.

[MaraJadeTX]

I hate the idea of "cultural appropriation."

I grew up in Southern California in a tiny town. My Mexican neighbors treated us just like their grandkids. My parish was Mexican-Catholic. My culture as a little kid was not just Western/Roman Catholic, but Mexican Catholic.

"That thing is only for that race" is super racist.

I hate "white people." Or, "white people have no culture. "

I'm not "white." I'm Norse, French, English and German. I'm third generation UK, Cornish of Norman descent. My family maintained a lot of British traditions, like tea.

I'm not "white." I'm Catholic and especially love Mexican traditions and Mexican Catholic traditions. Piniatas at birthdays. Mariachi music. Amazing food. Family closeness.