The white person’s guide to white privilege: 5 steps to understanding your societal advantages
by Rachel Runnels
Do the words “white privilege” make you feel uncomfortable? Nervous? Guilty? White privilege has become a hot topic, a media buzzword, and we white people need to understand what white privilege really is, as well as what it is not. Many white people are hesitant to broach this topic, but it’s time to start the conversation.
Step 1: Define.
White privilege, above all, is a system. It is a system that America is built upon where white people are more likely to have a certain advantage simply because of their race. It means that seeing people of your own race on television is common. It means that you do not get pulled over by police as often as non-white people do. It means that when you do get pulled over, you are less likely to be arrested. White privilege means that society is built in such a way that white people have a better chance at success than other racial groups.
Step 2: Understand.
White privilege is not a myth. It is not a plan devised by minorities for the purpose of having something to blame for their lack of motivation or success. White privilege is real, and we benefit from it every single day. Leonard Pitts Jr, in his article “A Whiter Shade of Privilege,” defines white privilege as “the privilege of being seen, of having your worth presumed, of receiving the benefit of the doubt and some human compassion, of being treated as if you matter.”
Growing up as a white kid, I never thought about my race. I thought of myself as smart, funny, maybe tall. Never white. I watched TV shows about white characters, read books by white authors, played with my white friends, and was taught by white teachers. But in my mind, I just watched TV shows with funny characters, read books by talented authors, played with my school friends, and was taught by my intelligent teachers. To me they weren’t white — they were just normal. It wasn’t until I was a young adult that I realized that not everyone viewed the world the same way I did. That’s white privilege.
Not all people have the luxury to say that they are surrounded by people who looked like them or see people of their skin color on TV. Not all people are allowed to grow up not thinking about their race. Minorities have had their race shoved in their faces all their lives. They are been judged for their race before a conversation has even occurred. They are presented with stereotypes that shape who others think they are, regardless of anything they have done to disprove them. Hispanics are been denied jobs because of their race. Blacks are been arrested for minor offenses. Even the “model minority” faces discrimination. Asians have to measure up to the stereotype of being smarter, being better workers, and being more hardworking than other minorities. They are constantly been compared to whites and other minorities in a competition they never wanted to enter. In addition, many Asians are constantly faced with the question, “Do you speak English?” when it’s possible that they’ve lived in America their whole lives. That’s white privilege.
Step 3: Identify and reject misconceptions.
White privilege is not a guarantee of success. I think this is why many white people reject this concept so passionately. The concept of white privilege has been warped to mean that all white people will get the jobs they want and the economic status they want just because they are white. This is not true at all. There are thousands of white Americans that live under the poverty line. There are white people who are unemployed, who can’t get a job, who are arrested. Gina Crosley-Corcoran, a writer for Occupy Wall Street, says that “recognizing privilege simply means being aware that some people have to work much harder just to experience the things you take for granted”. In essence, white privilege means that white people have a better chance at success, as compared to non-whites.
Step 4: Accept.
The purpose of talking about white privilege is not to make all white people feel guilty. Skin color is not something you choose; there is no reason to be ashamed of being white. The purpose of white privilege is awareness. Educating ourselves about this issue can help us wake up and pay attention to our situation. Notice how white has become the norm. Notice the lack of non-white actors and actresses. Notice stereotypes. Accept that white privilege is a real issue in this country, and that we benefit from it just because of our race.
Step 5: Act.
Knowledge leads to action. Action leads to change. We are aware, and now we need to do something about it. Educating is important. Don’t be afraid to talk about white privilege with white people. Speaking about about white privilege can help bring justice to those that need it. White privilege is benefitting from social advantages while other races are discriminated against, and it needs to end. It’s time to start the conversation.
