Peggy McIntosh, a prominent feminist scholar and anti-racism advocate, coined the term “white privilege” to illustrate the unseen advantages that come with being white.
Essentially, white individuals often navigate life without realizing the inherent benefits, opportunities, and access that their skin color provides them.
It’s only when these privileges are highlighted that some white people acknowledge them, while others may choose to ignore or reject the concept altogether.
Number 1: “It’s not my job to fix racism because I’m not racist.” In essence, if you believe that systemic racism doesn’t affect you directly, recognizing your privilege, it may seem like you can remain uninvolved in combating it.
However, it is crucial for white individuals to take a stand, support marginalized communities, and actively utilize their privilege to promote positive change.
“It takes the actions of every single person to call out racist behavior and be a part of the solution,” Michelle Saahene, co-founder of From Privilege to Progress, said. “It’s a privilege to be able to only talk about race and never experience it. It’s a privilege to choose not to talk about it or acknowledge it.”
Number 2: “I don’t see color.” While this statement may aim to show that you are not biased, psychologist Erlanger Turner points out that we all notice racial distinctions unless we are visually impaired. By choosing not to recognize someone’s skin color, you are also disregarding the challenges and discrimination they have experienced due to their race.
Recognizing your white privilege is just the beginning; it’s a crucial first step towards actively using that privilege to challenge and break down the oppressive structures that harm the Black community and other marginalized groups.
We engaged with educators, activists, therapists, and scholars to explore the common statements made by white individuals that inadvertently showcase their privilege, often without their awareness.
“People of color would also like to live in a world where their skin color didn’t impact the way they were treated and just never talk about race,” Saahene said. “But systemic racism is real, people of color must talk about race, to navigate a system that was never meant for their freedom — and continues with the support of white silence.”
“For most white people, they have the privilege to receive many benefits in society based on ‘whiteness’ that people of color don’t receive,” said Turner, an assistant professor of psychology at Pepperdine University.
Number 3: “There’s no need to worry about the police if you’re not doing anything illegal.” The experiences and interactions that white individuals have with law enforcement starkly contrast those of Black and Latino individuals.
Moreover, there is a long-standing pattern of police disproportionately targeting, stopping, and arresting Black individuals for minor offenses or without clear justification.
“This is because white people tend to feel an innate sense of safety and security from the policing policies that racially profile and target Black people, in many cases leading to the use of excessive or even lethal force. This is a prime example of white privilege.”
“It is a privilege to not have to take a risk of alienating yourself from others,” Saahene said. “It’s saying that the drama or backlash you don’t want to face from potential racists is more important than speaking out against innocent people being oppressed.”
“The mere assumption that someone does not benefit from systemic privilege reveals how inherently unaware they may be of systemic racism,” Makepeace said. “Ignorance of complicity indicates that someone has been protected from and sheltered by the system — a luxury that POC have never had.”
“For example, think about the recent protests [in Michigan] when white men went into a state government building with guns and they didn’t experience any harm. Yet, Black people engage in peaceful protests and police are shooting them with rubber bullets. That’s white privilege.”
Black individuals have tragically lost their lives at the hands of police while engaging in ordinary activities: for instance, Botham Jean was simply eating ice cream in his own home, Breonna Taylor was asleep in her bed, and Atatiana Jefferson was playing video games with her nephew.
The case of George Floyd further exemplifies this, as he lost his life in police custody over an alleged incident involving a counterfeit $20 bill, highlighting how even minor incidents can escalate into deadly confrontations.
“White people often claim that Black people, specifically, should have nothing to worry about if they, Black people, aren’t doing anything illegal,” said anti-racism educator Myisha T. Hill, author of “Check Your Privilege: Live Into the Work.”
Number 4: “I don’t want to post about racism on social media because I’m scared of the backlash.” Prioritizing personal comfort over speaking out against injustice, such as fear of losing followers or facing backlash, is criticized as placing one’s convenience above essential values, according to Saahene.
Number 5: “I don’t have white privilege.” Some white individuals deny the concept of white privilege by claiming they are not affluent, have worked hard for their achievements, or have faced struggles in life, leading to defensiveness due to a lack of understanding of the term.
“It simply means that the color of your skin is not one of the reasons you may experience personal or professional hurdles,” said Abigail Makepeace, a marriage and family therapist.
Number 6: “I’m not sure when I should start talking to my kids about racism.”
“This urge to shelter their white children from the realities of racism is directly born of their own white privileges. Black, brown, indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, people of color, do not have the luxury of putting blinders up to shield our children from racism,” Hill said.
“Our livelihoods depend on us constantly having these heart-wrenching conversations with our children, from very early ages, about why they have to behave differently from white children and what to do if we are pulled over by the police. Because our safety is never guaranteed.”
