This week has been very uneventful for me. It has been a good week, don't get me wrong, but I have completed little school work this week because I did not have much due. On Tuesday night, I went to watch one of the Georgia Southern theatre productions, The Importance of Being Earnest. I enjoyed the show very much, and I am glad I went (even though it was required for my theatre class). Wednesday night, my roommates, my friends, and I watched Riverdale. I also used up all 100 of my dining dollars this week, and I am quite sad - I know, you may be shocked that I spent it all halfway through the semester...but I love Chick Fil A a little too much. I am excited for the weekend because my friend is coming to visit, and we plan to go to the game on Saturday!This week's FYE class was a continuation of last week's discussion regarding Make Your Home Among Strangers. I would like to point out that our class discussions this week have educated me on the true meaning of "white privilege" more than any peer, politician, or speaker has ever educated me on the topic. Whenever I used to hear the word "white privilege," I always associated it with either economic status or social status. This assumption caused me to believe that those discussing white privilege were grouping all white people into a single category that suggests white people's lives are "better off" than the lives of people of color. I know that this assumption is simply not true. There are people of color who have better lives than white people. I never questioned my beliefs because I was given the opportunity to think for myself and to create my own definition of white privilege.
So I wondered - In the past, why was I unable to grasp the true meaning of white privilege? The truth is, I thought I knew the true meaning. I saw wrongs and rights on both "sides" of the equation. I had my thoughts and my opinions about the topic aligned perfectly in my head.
But no one ever defined white privilege. Whenever I heard the term, I would always think - "My family goes through rough times too!" and "Just because I'm white doesn't mean life is easier for me."
White privilege can be simplified down to this - White people do not have to worry or fear for their lives in a certain situation because of the color of their skin.
To put it in perspective, as Dra. pointed out in class, she has never had to worry about being judged or targeted when she walks into a gas station because of her skin color. I, too, have never been afraid to walk into a building or an event because of my skin color. Sure, I've been afraid of going places - but not because of my skin color. Never once have I been worried because of my skin.
I believe the message surrounding white privilege is often distorted and miscommunicated. During Jennine Capo Crucet's speech (1) last week, she gave me the opportunity and the time to create my own definition of white privilege, as I'm sure most people in the room were able to do. As a white person, I have never had to experience being judged solely because of my skin color, so how would I ever be able to see the truth behind a person of color's perspective if no one ever told me? Jennine Capo Crucet was unclear in her approach, and she did nothing but create chaos and confusion in my mind. After she spoke, I did not know the true meaning of white privilege. Her approach failed. She failed to educate the white people in the room. It was my peers in my FYE class who helped me understand the true definition.
I believe that there needs to be more speakers who take an educational approach towards teaching white people what exactly white privilege is. People need to know its true definition - just like I needed to know. It does not mean that white people are "better off" economically or socially; it means that white people do not have to worry about the color of their skin when they go somewhere. I think the truth is that white people cannot comprehend the feelings unless someone gives them examples and teaches them the true definition.
My eyes have been opened, and I feel as though I take an entire different approach when I now think about white privilege. However, I think one reason why there are so many misconceptions surrounding the topic is because of the word "privilege." It implies "better off" or a "higher status," which leads to the confusion.
I do not know how to fix the issue or if it can ever truly be fixed. But I do know that the first step in solving the problem is first becoming aware of it. I don't think that white people are actually aware. Like I was just a few days ago, I did not know the true meaning of white privilege even after knowing about the term for years.
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In the article that Dra. gave us titled, "11 ways white America avoids taking responsibility for its racism (2)," I have learned not to get defensive when someone questions my thoughts or my actions. I aim to learn from my mistakes and to help spread awareness and positivity. I also enjoyed reading the answers that my peers gave on our anonymous quiz. I found that the speech became rather personal for some people, and I do sympathize for them. To be honest, I keep a lot of school related issues to myself. Sure, the speech bothered me, but I didn't go home complaining to my parents. I sucked it up and realized that this is the real world. Not everyone is going to agree with me, and that is okay. The sooner I learn that, the better.
Thanks for reading this week's post.
Resources:
(1) https://youtu.be/5BJUta-9BsU
(2)https://www.salon.com/2015/06/16/11_ways_white_america_avoids_taking_responsibility_for_its_racism_partner/
(3)https://images.app.goo.gl/KazF4H6NT7L7Zj4w6
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