As discussed in an article by Peggy McIntosh, in school we are taught the disadvantages of minorities but oftentimes are not taught the advantages that white people receive. It seems as though nobody likes to talk about white privilege, as if acknowledging it could be misinterpreted as condoning it. In fact, it's quite the opposite. By acknowledging that white privilege does exist (and affects us every day), hopefully we will be able to open up a dialogue and figure out ways to further improve race relations in the United States. In the following list, you will see some ways in which my white skin has benefited me in my daily life.

1. When I was accepted into my dream school, nobody told me it was due to affirmative action.

2. If I am shopping, sales associates do not follow me around or harass me.

3. I can be assured that whenever I start a new job, the majority of my coworkers will be the same race as me.

4. In movies and books, my race is well represented.

5. If I were to ever be arrested or killed, the media would choose a photo of me that portrays me in a positive light.

6. I do not have to search hard in order to find Band-Aids that match my skin tone.

7. People do not cross the street when they see me walking towards them.

8. When hanging out with a group of friends, nobody refers to us as a 'gang' or as 'hoodlums.'

9. When someone meets me, they never ask if I am 'legal' or if I 'have my papers.'

10. If someone asks me where I am from and I answer Minnesota, they never say, "But where are you originally from?"

11. I do not need to go to a specialty salon to have someone be able to cut and style my hair.

12. People in position of authority treat me with respect before knowing me.

13. I do not have to "prove" that I am not like other people in my race.

14. My own personal actions are not used to represent all white people.

15. Nobody tells me that I'm good at a sport "because I'm white."

16. When I accomplish something, I am not told that it is because of or in spite of my skin color.

17. When I am selected for extra security at the airport, I do not have to worry that it has to do with my skin color.

18. In my university, I know that I will have faculty and staff members that are the same race as I am.

19. I am never called an "Oreo" or "banana" because the way that I act is different than the stereotypes people assume about my race.

20. If someone tells a racist joke, it is never about my race.

21. As a child, I could always be assured that the "nude" or "skin color" crayons actually matched my skin tone.

22. I can find bras and underwear that blend in with my skin color at department stores.

23. If someone does not like me before getting to know me, I do not have to worry that racism is the cause.

24. I have a positive relationship with police officers, and generally feel protected when they are around.

25. A history class focusing on my race is the general curriculum, not an elective course.

26. I can choose a foundation and concealer from a number of brands and be assured that it will closely match my skin color.

27. My name and race will never deter a potential employer from calling me back.

28. I'm not seen as threatening or suspicious because of the color of my skin.

29. In public, strangers are not afraid to ask me for directions.

30. In turn, if I get lost I can approach someone and know that they would be willing to help me.

31. If I become wealthy, nobody assumes that I gained my money through illegal means.

32. I don't have to convince anyone that I am better than their predetermined stereotypes about me.

33. If I go to a Halloween party, I do not have to worry about seeing someone dressed as my culture.

34. There's 42 out of the 43 past Presidents who have been members of my race.

35. It would be much easier for me to turn a blind eye to racism than a person of any other race.