31.3.09

White Privilege

What is white privilege? I find myself explaining this concept to people often. I have to explain the idea of white privilege because by the very definition of white privilege a white person does not even realize he has this advantage.

White privilege is the social, political, and economical advantages enjoyed by whites that is not standard for non-whites. It is an institutionalized bias that whites benefit from without necessary being conscience of it. The mainstream system is structure for white society and whites take it for granted. Whites don't talk about white privilege because they don't have to. That's part of the privilege. Their color is not a source of unfair treatment or conflict with mainstream. Non-whites can sometimes ride on white privilege if associated with a white person, such as through marriage or employment.

Still don't get it? White privilege is:

not having to ask yourself if your skin color was the reason you were
mistakenly accused of stealing.


when people don't look surprised that you don't speak with an accented voice.

not getting looked at you EVERY TIME the words
diversity or culture are used in a conversation.


getting served first at a store counter

No comments: