"Just because I'm white, doesn't mean I'm privileged!!!!" Here we go...

No. No. No. Sorry, but no. I've heard this statement far too many times and in this rant-styled blog I will attempt to explain how privilege is deeply connected with power and the flaw in the just-because-I'm-white-doesn't-mean-I'm-privileged mindset.

I honestly do not think my white peers mean harm when some of them say statements like this. However, as the dominant paradigm they must realize the detriment of this ignorant statement and its effect on the efforts of minorities to combat racism. First, let's clear up a common misconception about privilege. This term does NOT mean that your life is perfect, your parents are rich, and that you drive a Benz. This term does NOT mean you've never endured hardship, struggle, and pain. This term does NOT invalidate your experiences as a human being. The word "privilege" provides an analysis of what "favorable" attributes you were given at birth and how they give you an advantage in society. And in our society white is equated with power. In general, a white person is afforded more opportunities than minorities. White people are more likely to be hired by an employer. They also have the opportunity to not be discriminated against by the police or followed in retail stores for fear that they are a thief. Again, I'm not saying a white person has never experienced this, but the majority have not.

This brings me to my second issue. I've heard this one a million times as well. The classic its-not-fair-that-a-person-of-color-can-say-something-racist-towards-white-people-and-its-okay attitude. I agree and disagree with this statement, but in order to address it we have to take a closer look at what racism is. There are two types of racism: individual and institutional racism. A person of color saying a derogatory remark to a white person qualifies as individual racism because they are expressing their own personal prejudices. This form of racism can be very hurtful to those affected. However, institutionalized racism is what minorities face everyday. This form of racism happens on a large scale and allows the perpetuation of stereotypes and prejudices against minorities. Everything from the government passing laws in the worst interest of my people, designers like Tommy Hillfiger saying his clothes are not for African-Americans and Asians, minorities not being featured in TV/Film enough, and corporations not hiring minorities is institutionalized racism. This racism can only come from a group in power (white males) and therefore as a collective group minorities can not be systemically racist towards white people. It would be very naive to believe that a situation where a white person facing an isolated incident of individual racism can be compared to the institutional racism minorities have faced for decades. That white person has every right to feel hurt and disrespected, but we cannot pretend those forms of racism are equal because at the end of the day, hurt feelings or not, that white person still has their privilege.

I want to reiterate that I am not referring to every white person. And I do not believe the ones making these assumptions are bad people, just misinformed. Also, I'm not at all implying that one should feel ashamed for being white. Embrace who you are and be proud! The whole point is that in order to get rid of these unfair advantages that are based on attributes, not character we must acknowledge privilege. And guess what? Not only white people have privilege. For example, straight people have privilege over gay people and men have privilege over women in America's power hierarchy. Now that we are aware of our privilege, we can begin to try to make society more fair by abolishing our own entitlements.

(This addressed the "That's Not What I Meant" prompt from someone else's perspective)