Deborah, I’ve read some of your history in your other posts, and let me just start by saying that I am so impressed with how you’ve moved on with your life and your fair-mindedness in talking about racial issues. So few people would choose to be an advocate after what you’ve been through.

I think it’s pretty clear that you didn’t benefit from white privilege in those instances, although had you reported either rape you might have gotten some. And I suspect you’re right that being the minority in your community was a major factor. But then, anything involving people has so many factors. White privilege holds as a general rule, but then you have to layer in economics, the specific environment, the individuals involved, etc. In your second case, I think there’s also an “athlete’s privilege” (maybe there’s a real term?) that frequently applies. Our culture too often turns our sports figures into demigods who become almost incapable of understanding the word No.