A student’s perspective about white privilege caused quite a stir among ideologies this week, following an essay published last month on the subject by Princeton freshman Tal Fortgang.
The essay, titled “Checking My Privilege: Character at the Basis of Privilege,” appeared in April’s issue of The Princeton Tory, a conservative news outlet for the university. Fortgang articulated thoughts on the phrase “Check your privilege,” and demanded that he not be judged solely on race, but to the perseverance of his forbearers.
Fortgang states, “Those who came before us suffered for the sake of giving us a better life. When we similarly sacrifice for our descendents 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.””
According to the New York Times, the largest argument against Fortgang is that he failed to understand the intricacies of the term ‘privilege,’ while others remain more optimistic.
Former Tory editor in chief Zach Horton commented, “He will stir the pot and get people thinking and get people talking.”
This week, Fortgang appeared on a Fox News segment titled “Student Takes Down Liberals Over ‘White Privilege’ Debate.”