My Skin Gives Me Privilege I Didn’t Earn
Growing up in a small town, I never heard the term “white privilege”. Racism was not something that we talked about or discussed at the dinner table. My high school was 90% white — maybe more. We learned the basics about slavery and civil rights in school — you know, from the text books written by white men. And I don’t come from a wealthy, successful family…so how do I have white privilege?
The problem is that white people continue to deny their privilege instead of trying to use it to help the people who do not benefit from their skin color. They choose to live in this defensive state where they did not “ask for white privilege” so how could they have it? But white privilege is not something you request. White privilege is not just being rich. White privilege does not mean you haven’t suffered or had hardships. It simply means that a white person’s whiteness comes with an array of benefits and advantages.
I have never worried about the police killing me. Not as a child or as an adult. I have walked up and down the streets with friends. I have walked out of a store without buying anything and never once was worried about being accused of shoplifting. When I have been pulled over, I was not worried about anything other than receiving a ticket. As a white person, you don’t even realize that these are things that some people have to worry about every single day.
When I was little, I remember the cops coming to my home — countless times — for noise complaints. My family would get together and drink. Someone would usually end up getting into an argument or my dad would have his music too loud. So the cops would come, tell them to quiet down and leave. I don’t recall anyone ever getting arrested. My whiteness has saved me numerous times. I’ve been pulled over twice. The first time I was driving 20 mph over the speed limit (reckless driving)…I was let off with a warning. Another time, I was pulled over because one of my taillights was out. I did not have my license, insurance card or proof of registration. Again, I was let off with a warning and a reminder to carry these things in my car. When I was 18 years old, I went to a club with my friend. I had to wear a bracelet saying I was underage but my friend was still able to buy drinks and bring them to me. We decided to go change our shoes. A cop followed us and knocked on my window as I was drinking alcohol that we had in the car. He simply asked that we call a cab and not to drive.
But racism is much deeper than police brutality just as white privilege is deeper than wealth. White people have access to better neighborhoods, better education, better jobs. White people have the benefit of flesh colored bandaids, an abundance of children’s books and movies with white characters. Most movie producers, book publishers and CEO’s are white. White people do not have to worry about going into a store or restaurant and being the only one of their race. Or being stared at. White people can drive a luxury vehicle without people assuming they stole it or got it from “drug money”.
As a white woman, I have so much to learn. I have so much work to do. I was never taught how to be an advocate for people of color or how to use my white privilege to combat racism. First, we have to listen. Listen to people who experience racism on a daily basis. Ask what we can do to help. Read books and articles written by African Americans about racism and their history. It is time that we stop allowing other white people to educate us on slavery, civil rights and systematic racism. Stop asking your white friends how you can be a part of the change. They do not have the answers. And most importantly, free yourself from your ego and admit that you have white privilege — then use it to create change.
It is time for us to listen. It is time for us to educate ourselves with the truth instead of what we learned in school. It is time for us to speak up and use our voice — because our voice is the only one that is ever heard. We have to stand up for the ones who have been dehumanized throughout history. The ones who are still denied equality in 2020. It is time for us to break down the system as we know it and create a better future for our children. It is time time that we stop being a part of the problem, and become part of the change.
African American’s make up only 13% of the US’s total population while whites make up 60% of the country’s total population. Yet, African American’s make up 33% of the country’s prison population, while whites make up only 30%.
In 2020, only four Fortune 500 companies have African American CEO’s.
Overall income for African American’s is 42% lower than for whites in 2018.
Homeownership rates for African Americans is 44% while whites is 73.7%.
African American men are 5.8 times more likely to be imprisoned than white men.
This is systematic racism.
