Racism is an issue in today's society as a whole. This doesn't effect just minorities, but it effects everyone, regardless of race. As a young white woman in America, I have my own take on the racism that is ongoing. Before you criticize me and my views (or call me racist), you should actually listen to what I have to say. I'd like to use my apparent white privilege to discuss the issue.

Speaking of white privilege, let's define it first. According to Mount Holyoke College, white privilege is a set of advantages and/or immunities that white people benefit from on a daily basis beyond those common to all others. White privilege can exist without white people's conscious knowledge of its presence, and it helps to maintain the racial hierarchy in this country. The biggest problem with white privilege is the invisibility it maintains to those who benefit from it most. The inability to recognize that many of the advantages whites hold are a direct result of the disadvantages of other people, contributes to the unwillingness of white people, even those who are not overtly racist, to recognize their part in maintaining and benefiting from white supremacy. White privilege is about not having to worry about being followed in a department store while shopping. It's about thinking that your clothes, manner of speech, and behavior in general, are racially neutral, when, in fact, they are white. It's seeing your image on television daily and knowing that you're being represented. It's people assuming that you lead a constructive life free from crime and off welfare. It's about not having to assume your daily interactions with people have racial overtones. White privilege is having the freedom and luxury to fight racism one day and ignore it the next. White privilege exists on an individual, cultural, and institutional level.

It's a rather long definition, but it is necessary to understand what the term white privilege means. I think that white privilege does exist, but to a certain extent. I want to acknowledge that I have been exposed to many other people from other countries, cultures, races, and ethnicities. I am aware of their struggles and unique issues. However, I do not fully understand them because I have never experienced them myself. This is an example of where white privilege exists. It is also an example of "checking your privilege." According to Everyday Feminism, being told to check your privilege isn't a form of insulting you or saying you've never struggled, it is asking you to really examine and think about your life compared to the disadvantaged. It is becoming aware of the privileges that you do have that some do not. When the phrase, "check your privilege," is used correctly, actual checking and awareness occurs. The phrase shouldn't be used to insult someone for being white, or to shut someone down from discussion or free expression. An example of when it shouldn't be used (or incorrect use) is one in which my best friend from speech was told by another "friend" of his that his father dying before Christmas was "a part of the privilege he needs to check." The death of a parent and white privilege doesn't even correlate, and it is definitely not a privilege to lose a loved one. It is absolutely disgusting that people use the phrase in this manner.

Recently, the host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, had the conservative host of Final Thoughts, Tomi Lahren, on his show for an interview. They discussed various topics and issues, such as racism, the election, Black Lives Matter, and Colin Kaepernick. Lahren stated that she "doesn't see color." We've all heard this quotation before. It is usually followed by, "I see people," or "I treat everyone the same." It may not sound bad, but some can take it the wrong way. As a white person, I think that "I don't see color" means that I don't see it as a barrier...or at least that's how I was raised. I obviously see skin color, but it's not a reason to treat someone differently. Even Trevor Noah said it perfectly himself, "there's nothing wrong with seeing color. It's how you treat the color that is more important." I agree with him. It just goes to show that skin color shouldn't be seen as a barrier, and it's not an excuse to mistreat someone. We should all be treated equally, and we need to treat others as that.

Stereotyping is wrong, no matter what your skin color is. Not all white people are racist, not all black people are thugs, not all Mexicans are illegal immigrants, and so on. It is racist to automatically assume things like this about an entire race of people. We need to change our attitudes toward this issue, and not divide ourselves further. We need to respect one another, and not immediately shut down a discussion. Sometimes, things are uncomfortable to talk about.... and that is when people need to discuss it rather than getting offended over it.