Hey there. I knew that headline would get your attention. Before you judge me for what the headline says, ask yourself, "What does it mean to be white?" Seriously, do it. Ask yourself what it means.
If you are white, I am sure you have never thought about it. You probably just laughed and shrugged it off. You probably acted like it wasn't important. I did the same thing when I first heard the question. It just seemed ridiculous and caught me off guard. I remember thinking, "What kind of question is that?"
If you are not white, you have probably thought about it before. You have probably thought about how life is different for us and we get things handed to us simply because of our skin color. In a way, you're right. Life isn't necessarily "easier" for us. We just do not have as many obstacles standing in our way.
Recently, the phrase, "white privilege," has been thrown around, but let's think about what that actually means. One of my psychology professors explained privilege as being a part of a society's norm or being a part of something that is considered "right" or "correct." That includes the society's beliefs, values, actions, etc. It goes farther than just race. Right-handed people are considered privileged, too, in America. It seems so silly, but it is true. I mean, door handles are on the right side of the door, so it is easier for right-handed people to grab them. In a car, the radio and gear shift are on the right side. For left handed people, it makes life a little more challenging because there are not special accommodations for them. They have to conform to what society says is the "right" way to do things. In this case, being right-handed is the "right" way. "'White privilege" is essentially the same thing. Aside from Native Americans, "white" has been the social norm in the United States since the Europeans arrived here. Is it fair? No, but that is how our society is.
If you are still reading, thank you. Race is always a tough topic to talk about because people just want to avoid it which they shouldn't. It makes you who you are. It would be like people saying they do not want to recognize your gender. Like, no, please do. It makes me who I am, and I want you to see who I am. Race is like that, too.
Anyway, back to my original point. To me, white means I do not have as many negative stereotypes about me. I do not have people judging me because of my skin color. I can be around people in the same race as me pretty much everywhere I go. I can buy a card that has a white family on it if I need to. All of my textbooks have people of the same race as me. White means I am privileged. Should I be ashamed of it? Of course not. As I said earlier, it is a part of who I am, and I love who I am. Although I am proud of being white, it does not mean I am going to take advantage of having this privilege.
Being white does not mean anything more than a skin color, and the people of United States treating me as a "normal." It does not mean I am superior in any way. It just means I was born in my society's norm.
If you are not in society's norm and you are annoyed by what I am saying, keep in mind I am also a woman which means I do not have male privilege. Yes, race and gender are two completely different topics, but when talked about compared to privilege, they really aren't. I see things differently and have to change the way I see things just because I am not a male. For example, men can adjust genitalia in public and it is considered perfectly normal. If a woman does it, it is considered gross. Why? Because I am a woman.
All I was trying to accomplish by writing this was to get you to think. If you are white, realize the privilege you have and use it for good and not bad. If someone who is not white is being treated differently simply because of their race, say something. (An example of using it for good is listed below). You can even forget race. If you are privileged in some way whether is it because of your gender, sexuality, religion, whatever the case may be, help the ones around you. We are all humans.
