Privilege

Have you ever thought about privilege?  I’ve been thinking about it more and more.  Privilege meaning the boost we are given because we are born into a specific set of circumstances.  For example, I’m white, skinny, and was born into upper-middle class circumstances.  This affords me certain opportunities.  Have you ever read this: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack?  Here’s my favorite part of the introduction:

As a white person, I realized I had been taught about racism as something that puts others at a disadvantage, but had been taught not to see one of its corollary aspects, white privilege, which puts me at an advantage.  I think whites are carefully taught not to recognize white privilege, as males are taught not to recognize male privilege.

The author makes a good point, that we never think about racism putting us at an advantage, but only others at a disadvantage.

There’s a list about halfway through the article that identifies some of the effects of white privilege.  As you go through the list, try not to be offended if you’ve never thought about white privilege before (or even if you have).  It’s really easy to be offended because it seems like you’re being blamed for the effects of white privilege, both good and bad; this is not true.  I’ll say it again: this is not true.  No one’s blaming you for anything, only asking you to think about the ways in which you’re privileged.

Strange, isn’t it?  It’s like deconstructing everything you took for granted and looking at it through a skeptic’s eyes.  I like to think about my privilege and how I can break it down and notice things around me that I never noticed before.

For example, I mentioned yesterday that I went to a party this weekend.  Did I also mention that this party took place in upper New Hampshire, which is full of white people?  One of my friends who lives in New York City showed up with his (new?) girlfriend, who happens to be black.  My friend’s girlfriend walked into the backyard, full of white people, and I saw her eyes dart from person to person.  Is she realizing that she’s the only black person? I thought, I would, if it were me.