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Understanding White Privilege

"White privilege is both unconsciously enjoyed and consciously perpetuated. It is both on the surface and deeply embedded into American life. It is a weightless knapsack—and a weapon." - Cory Collins

 

Learn more about the definition of white privilege here.

“White privilege doesn’t mean that your life isn’t difficult. It simply means that the color of your skin isn’t adding to your difficulties”  - Shola Richards tells why he brings his young daughter with him for protection when he walks in his neighborhood.
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“The most damaging aspect of colorblindness is that it encourages us to put our collective heads in the sand and pretend that our differences do not exist. But here’s the thing—if you don’t see my race, my culture and my heritage, then how could you really see me?” - Shola Richards answers 7 Difficult Questions About Racism.

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White Privilege Consortium Journal

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An open-access journal by those working in the field to provide their voices, offered through the White Privilege Institute. 

10 Examples of that proves white privilege exists in every aspect imaginable.

My White Privilege

Here are some ways that white privilege shows up in my life.  This is not meant to brag, but to get people thinking about how they have benefited from being white.  And if you have benefited, that means that others have been hurt by it.  No one is saying that you've had an easy life.  You may have grown up poor or dealt with abuse or have a chronic illness.  But even with those challenges, being white is an advantage.  

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  • I can walk through my neighborhood without fear of someone calling the police.  I look at people's homes and stop by their mailboxes and see the police drive by without fear of being arrested.

  • I can pick up packages from my neighbor's porch when they are out without fear that someone will call the police saying there is a theft in progress.

  • I don't have to worry about getting a callback on a job solely due to the sound of my name.

  • I can walk through a store without getting followed by police or sales clerks or questioned as to my motives.

  • I'm given the benefit of the doubt when I get into a car accident or make a mistake.

  • I'm able to vote without fear of suppression or having to stand in an hours-long line.

  • When I'm successful, I don't have to worry about someone thinking I got a leg up or being amazed at how well I did.

  • When I fail, I don't have to worry about people thinking that they knew it would happen.

  • I drive my car without fear of being pulled over for stupid reasons (ie driving while Black)

  • I can wander around the trails in the woods without people being afraid of me.

  • I had positive relationships with teachers at school.  When I got in trouble, I knew it wasn't because of the color of my skin.

  • I have always had role models that looked like me in government and mass media.

  • I have the comfort of being in the majority because of my skin color.

  • I have the privilege of focusing on issues like the environment or school shootings because my personal security is not in question.

  • I'm not in constant fear of losing a family member to police violence or wrongful imprisonment.

  • I am financially comfortable thanks to real estate that my parents and grandparents were able to buy and sell. 

  • I own my own home in a safe neighborhood because I had no issue getting a loan.

  • I had my pick of neighborhoods in each town that I lived where the majority of faces looked like mine.

  • I've never been the only person of my race in my neighborhood, workplace or school.

  • I have no fear of being taken seriously by doctors and nurses when needing medical care.

  • I have the ability to walk away from conversations on race and focus on other areas of my life.

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