Imagine sitting in a room that is filled with people of different cultures and skin colors and backgrounds. If you're like me, that doesn't normally scare you. But now imagine that suddenly you're the minority in that room where the topic is mentoring and diversity. If you're still like me, now you're uncomfortable. Something about being white and talking about diversity (in parts of America that are pretty d*mn white) immediately makes me feel like I stand out. I am, in one way, part of the majority which puts me in a different paradigm than the other people who come from a minority population. I was in this situation the other day and it made me realize some of the privilege I experience.
I'm frequently outspoken about how race relations are way too bloated right now, meaning that every little thing is still related to race. Look no further than the recent police issues the country is facing. Look at all the complaints of whitewashing and lack of diversity in Hollywood. Personally, I don't like the word diversity because I believe that diversity comes from individuals, not their skin color. But I'm not here to debate that right now; I want to say that I was partially wrong. I used to resent being called privileged because my life has convinced me that I'm very unprivileged, but all depends on where we set the standard.
I know that my feeling uncomfortable could be construed as racist, but I don't want you all to think that. Maybe there is a little racism embedded in me (and likely in every person on the planet) that made me uncomfortable. However, I want to take that experience and turn it towards something productive. If I can feel uncomfortable in a place where there's almost guaranteed safety, I can't imagine how a person of color might feel in an exotic environment where they're only one of a handful of non-white people.
Privilege is something that EVERYBODY has. Even minority's have some degree of privilege by simply living in the United States. They have affirmative action policies and countless organizations trying to help them succeed where the majority has fewer. Regardless of what privilege we have and who has more or less, we have to move past it. We get nowhere by pointing fingers and wishing we had what other people have. Playing the blame game really only serves to divide us further, and that's the opposite of what we should be doing. We need to be acknowledging our privilege where it exists and cast it aside. When it comes down to it, our success and attitude is still dependent entirely on us and our work ethic. We control our own destinies.
This doesn't change the way I feel about diversity in the broader sense, but my goal here is to bring awareness to the problem. Be a little more considerate and thoughtful of the environments you create in the classroom, workplace, or any other environment either consciously or unconsciously. Nobody should have to feel uncomfortable in a place meant for education or work, especially because of something like race. Keep your eyes out for ways you experience some privilege and just accept it. It doesn't change who you are or diminish what you've been through, it just means you're more aware of the broader culture around you, and that gives you the power to change it.
