the everyday reality that white people are treated with respect & are trusted more than people of color (poc).
White privilege means that
white folks voices & opinions are heard more often than pocs. Turn on the news and count the faces! It means
white folks are more likely to advance in their jobs than poc. If a white person's voice is silenced or they are held back in their job, it is most likely not due to their skin color, but it
may be due to their prejudices.
White privilege means white people's full humanity is on display in the media & poc are reduced to stereotypes.
White privilege does not mean that a white person
will never experience classism or sexism or be faced with any dehumanizing stereotype. It just means that a white person experiences those things differently than a poc. It is a recognition that despite all other parts of a white person's life, they are less likely to be arrested, incarcerated, or to receive cruel sentences than a poc. They are more able to display/threaten violence or engage in violent behavior against others & leave the situation ALIVE. A white person could be incarcerated or killed, but black kids, unlike white kids, have been killed for playing in a playground or walking down the street. If you are
white & still
don't think
white privilege exists, ask yourself if you would rather have your exact same life & be black. Also, check out
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack on the National SEED Project website.
Despite stockpiling weapons all over the city and carrying a traitorous flag, the
white folks protesting the removal of a Confederate statue all went home safely because they have
white privilege. The one that was arrested were arrested because one ran over and killed a woman.
Despite blocking traffic and peacfully engaging their first amendment rights, #blacklivesmatter protesters were demonized in the media and, primarily, activists of color have been arrested.
Despite blocking traffic and peacfully engaging their first amendment rights, white women at the Women's
March were praised for their civility because the women's march
white activists have
white privilege and the #blacklivesmatter protesters do not.
Despite being stoned and pulled over for having an out taillight in an open carry state, a white woman was sent home safely without a ticket because she has
white privilege. Philando Castile, who is black, was
shot dead for following the rules.
