My goal in writing this opinion article is to offer a definition of white privilege that better lends itself to discussion. I’ve noticed a lot of misunderstandings and contention surrounding the concept, and I feel they can be circumvented with a more nuanced understanding of the topic. Once understanding is established, fruitful discussion and change can follow. Whether or not white privilege exists is a different conversation as it deals exclusively with the history and effects of institutionalized racism.

Terms to know:

White privilege: the absence of marginalization based on race and the access to opportunities usually denied other groups (called white privilege as the denial of the access is usually levied against non-whites).

Marginalization: a persistent state of impoverishment and oppression perpetuated by a government against a person or a group, often based on racial lines.

Institutionalized (aka systemic) racism: the pattern of racially-biased legislation which has led to the disenfranchisement and marginalization of minority communities in the country.

Cultural (aka individual) racism: discrimination and/or antagonism directed towards a person or group based on race or ethnicity.

White privilege is not about having money.

I often hear it argued that white privilege centers on possessing wealth; it doesn’t. White privilege isn’t even about having two parents or a college degree. White privilege is a result of modern social disparities; it’s an indicator of other, genuine ills. However, too often white privilege is framed as an actual root of America’s racism, as opposed to the symptom it truly is. America is in a crisis that can push us towards revolution or revival, and most of us want to play our part in effecting changes for the better.

One of the most consistent avenues to change is fruitful communication, yet one of the most consistently contentious issues in our conversations on race is that of white privilege. We cannot rebuild our culture when our language continues to divide us. This is why I’d like to re-frame our understanding of white privilege.

White privilege can be understood as the absence of marginalization based on race.

Additionally, white privilege does not exist equally among whites. Neither of these statements have ever been mutually exclusive. White people (like some living in the Appalachians) can still be marginalized. White people can still be poor. They can still be fatherless. They can even be forced to endure the consequences of systemic racism. The presence of privilege does not mean that a white individual cannot also be the target of another group, or even by their own group, for racist acts.

The existence of white privilege doesn’t negate the existence of the struggles which affect all the human race. Still, when discussing white privilege it is important to remember that the concept deals with the disparities evidenced along racial lines. It’s also important to remember that white privilege generally does yield two advantages: not being targeted for abuse based on the color of your skin and a more ready access to beneficial opportunities.

White privilege is an effect of institutionalized racism; it is a symptom of that disease.

This is why the concept of white privilege is really an acknowledgement of the disparities which have shaped America since its founding. Unfortunately, this understanding is not often applied when discussing white privilege. I’ve often heard white privilege framed in terms of a white person’s complicity in racism. This framing is ignorant and destructive because it attempts to hold someone accountable for atrocities they did not personally commit or condone. I’ve also heard white privilege framed as a social ill to be destroyed. This framing is also ignorant and destructive because it conflates the symptom with the disease.

White privilege is evidence of institutional issues, and no reasonable person should ever try to hold someone else accountable for the evils of potential ancestors. Such an attempt would be racist and counterproductive. The color of one’s skin does not make one responsible for a crime. This is why white privilege is not a white person’s fault. And because white privilege is not an issue of individual blame, taking personal offense is not a productive response to its discussion.

White privilege is not a problem because it exists; the problem is that its advantages do not exist equally.

The lack of marginalization based on race, coupled with ready access to quality opportunities, is white privilege. This phrasing focuses on the unequal access to opportunities as opposed to the individual. This helps prevent blaming and needless contention from derailing what could be a productive discussion.

The purpose of discussing white privilege can be understood on two levels: the institutional level and the individual level. On the institutional level, white privilege should be discussed so that its causes can be addressed as its advantages are made more readily available to people historically denied them. On the individual level, we must continually recognize the roles privilege and prejudice play in our current disparities and create meaningful relationships with those outside our group. The individual focus informs the collective one, so an intentional shift towards awareness will help yield understanding, love, and productive change.

By continuing to have honest, compassionate conversations we can create a new culture.

We can create a culture where fewer people are hated for their differences or punished for their ignorance; we can create a culture of understanding and actionable love. These things make it harder for hatred and ignorance (resources for racism) to persist.

White privilege is not a white person’s fault. It’s not even a white person’s burden. The phrase white privilege simply acknowledges the lack of equal access to opportunity, not the lack of guarantee for equal outcomes, that exists along racial lines. White privilege is not a moral indictment and was never about wealth or status. If you find yourself discussing this issue in those ways, please re-frame your understanding and how you speak. This is what helps to change the world.

© Copyright 2020 Keyona Shabazz