We have been talking about racial inequality for so long that the argument has become tangled and clouded by radical thoughts, pride, and ignorance, and so many of the people involved have no idea what is valid and what is not anymore. Before I continue I want to state that I am white, I do not apologize for being white, but I understand my place in society and I understand that because I am white, I am privileged.
Now, for my fellow Caucasians, I am positive you have been told of your privilege and you reacted by either denying it, saying that we are all equal in the eyes of the law, or you deny it and say that you face prejudice and you have no privilege, or maybe you know that we still live in a racist country and you acknowledge you are privileged. Whatever the case may be, the fact of the matter is that you have white privilege, and that is not a bad thing, what you do with your inherent power is what counts.
This privilege comes in many different forms: some being not living in fear that a traffic violation could put you on the wrong end of a police officer's firearm, and with that comes the luxury of being ignorant to the injustices happening to the people of color around you, the bliss of being unaware of the evil that you are exempt from. When someone tells you that you are privileged they are not suggesting you are to blame for the wrong doings that have been done to them, they are asking you to open your eyes and educate yourself.
As a white person you have the power to be the voice for those who have been snuffed out, you have the ability to change the minds of those committing and justifying these heinous acts of prejudiced violence. You are the apex predator in our social environment and instead of using that to turn a blind eye or kick those who are already down, use it to stand between the abuser and the abused.
Be a shield for the unarmed. If you do not stand with the oppressed, you stand with the oppressor — neutrality is no longer an option. Innocent men, women, and children are being murdered in cold blood and you can no longer hide behind your hind ignorance. If you are not part of the solution you are enabling the problem. Set your pride aside, open your eyes, open your mind, and speak out. All lives will matter when black lives matter. Rise to the occasion. You should only stand above someone to help them up, never to keep them down.
