You probably don't need me to tell you that this thing called racism is a regular feature of human history. What is it? We all have our own ideas; if you look up the word on dictionary.com, you are provided with the following definition:

"a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others."

Most of the common ideas are all in there: that there are intrinsic differences between races, that there exists a hierarchy between them, and that races higher in the order have the right to superior treatment. These are more or less universal across most discussions. Invariably a champion of the pure-of-heart white person arises. They stand, watchful and alert, ready to deflect the accusations of prejudice. They will often surround themselves with like-minded warriors, a vanguard of the righteous children of privilege, who will not so easily have the hoods pulled over their eyes. I'm certain you know the type.

I would like to address those champions here, actually. Let me start by saying thank you. You seem to be committed, at least intellectually, to the idea of equality. Half of my family is black, and I know they do genuinely appreciate white people who are willing to do the work of advancing the social consciousness with them, assuming you are willing to do the work of course. I think most of you probably would, at least in some small ways. But at the very least you have that ideological commitment, which is necessary for making change in the world, and yourself.

However, there is something you might not realize. Something important about your great crusade. You have already been a part of racism. And if you haven't yet, you will. It's only a matter of time. It's nothing you did, not directly. It probably wasn't even your choice. Not the thing I'm talking about. What you fell into was a trap, one that you couldn't have avoided, and you probably didn't even know about. A lot of people don't. I didn't even know about it for a long time. But you deserve an explanation from someone who only wants to see you succeed at the ideological commitment you say you've chosen.

Imagine that you are going in for a job interview. Your suit is nicely pressed, your resume couldn't be neater, and you went over all the talking points in the mirror this morning right before breakfast. You're sitting outside the office of the head partner at the law firm, next to a black person. Their suit is nice, just as nice as yours, and they mention that they're also interviewing for the job. The head partner comes out and calls you in first. The interview goes perfectly, and he says they'll call you in a few days. A few days later, congratulations! You got the job.

Now what you didn't know, what you couldn't have known, is that he called you in first because you looked friendlier to him. When you asked about starting salary, the figure he showed you was a few thousand dollars more than what he showed the other candidate. From the moment he saw his two options, his decision was made. He felt better about hiring you, a white person, than a black person. Now don't get defensive, I'm not accusing you. You were party to the prejudices of another person, which you couldn't have changed. But this is the trap.

You are white, you were born that way. It wasn't something you chose, but it is your life. You could be the most progressive champion of justice and equality who ever lived, but there are things beyond your control. The fact is, there are people in the world who believe that your white skin makes you someone better. You are going to meet that person eventually. When you do, they are going to treat you better than they would treat a black person in the same position. They are going to offer you the job, even if the other person is more qualified. You can't control that. It doesn't even matter if you refuse, because they'll find another white person who is happy to accept the offer in your place. Like it or not, you are participating in prejudice.

Am I saying that white people will always win everything over black people, or people of any race? No. Am I saying that you have to turn down every job offer you get if you are white? No. What I am saying is that it doesn't matter how racist you are or aren't. As long as there are racist people, and you happen to have the same skin as them, you will be benefiting from racism just as the people on the other side of the trap will be diminished by it. The particular history of our society was built with a racial hierarchy in place, and white people at the top. It could have happened any other way, but this is how it did. While we are still doing the work of dismantling it, you are still getting those benefits. That's what it means when people tell you that you are participating in racism in action. It's not about how well you mean, it's about a social consciousness that was here long before you were. This is a small taste of being trapped by your skin color, a much friendlier taste than many people have the good fortune to experience.

So what can you do? Well, remember the status that white skin ears you with these people. You are positioned to win their trust and confidence more easily. It's a perfect position to open their eyes to the people who they have been hurting.