White privilege in America
I and other white people have a duty to use our white privilege to help people of color always, not just now because it is trendy.
Graphic by Melissa Liu, Managing Print and Design Editor
Megan Serfontein, Copy Editor
Only 55% of Caucasian American adults believe in white privilege, but there is no denying the system of racial injustice that has been laid out in the United States. I have personally benefited and seen how my fellow white Americans are treated compared to other races. Caucasian (and white-passing) people, such as myself, have inherent privileges that we have never even thought about.
I want to preface this by saying the term white privilege does not mean that white people do not have struggles or issues. Rather, it means that being white does not contribute or worsen any of the problems.
I can have good relations with the police, meaning I have no fear in calling 911 when I need to, I do not arouse suspicion from just existing, and I have no reason to fear for my life when an officer stops me. A 2019 poll by YouGov found 78% of African Americans are worried about police using deadly force on them or a family member compared to 21% of white people polled. The poll found that black Americans are more worried about being victims of police brutality than of a violent crime committed by a non-officer. There are systemic issues that need to be fixed within the police force so that every American can feel safe and have good relations with the police.
I have always been able to see images of myself in every media form. I grew up watching “Friends” with my parents not even thinking about how all the main characters were white people in New York, one of the most diverse cities in the United States. The barbie dolls I played with and Disney movies I watched were not diverse either. I was lucky to see myself in everything. Now that I am older, the beauty aisles at stores carry my shade of foundation, and the default ‘nude’ color is my skin tone. While this sounds trivial, media and generic representation are important to how society views certain groups of people and even creates problems within racial groups. Media portrayals have led to deep-rooted and harmful stereotypes of many communities even leading some to use harmful products to lighten their skin. Children can have lower self-esteem and negative feelings towards their own culture due to the lack of equal representation on TV and toy shelves. This is a systematic problem that requires immediate change.
I am an immigrant and recognize that my life as an immigrant has been made easier by my white skin color. I have never been asked about my status. I have never had anyone question me when I have said I am a citizen. Most people do not even notice I am an immigrant, as I do not speak with an accent and am ‘what an American should look like’ - whatever that means. Since most people assume I am a European immigrant (which I am not), I have never had stereotypes pushed onto me. I have, however, seen non-immigrants questioned about their status and labeled due to the color of their skin.
I also do not have to worry about work discrimination because of my race. Discrimination is not legal, under the Equal Protection Clause, however, that does not mean that people always adhere to it. People with ‘white-sounding names’ are often more likely to be considered for employment positions. Within workplaces, people of color are less likely to receive promotions or more in-depth assignments than their white coworkers. A Pew Research Center study showed that men and women of color earn on average between 69% and 75% of what their white colleagues for the same work and hours but this often goes unnoticed.
As a white person, I recognize my white privilege and understand the need for me to use it effectively to help people of color. If you are white, here are some things you can do to help. First, do not deny the innate privilege you have been granted. Second, be a good ally. Listen and learn from people of color. Ask them what you can do to help. Stand up for them but never speak for them; you and I can never fully understand what their experience has been and, therefore, it is not our duty to speak for anyone. Third, educate yourself the best you can. Finally, if you can, donate, go to protests, and make sure you sign petitions.
White privilege is real. Although people with it do not have to feel guilty, there are responsibilities that come with privilege. As I get older, I understand that I and other white people have a duty to use our white privilege to help people of color always, not just now because it is trendy.
How to help:
https://www.change.org/p/mayor-jacob-frey-justice-for-george-floyd
Call County Attorney Mike Freeman at 612-348-5550 to demand justice, accountability and/or policing changes. Call Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison at 651-296-3353. Call Gov. Walz at 651-201-3400.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd
