White privilege is a problem that’s we’ve only recently begun to acknowledge as a society. Having frank, public discussions of race is very difficult for most people, and relinquishing one’s own advantages to support others is near impossible. So here are some foolproof methods to discuss and educate others on the problem of racial privilege without having to give up your own, because at the end of the day, retaining privilege is much more convenient for you and makes your life more fun.
Post about it late at night.
Social media is a great way to expose people to viewpoints opposing their own. So when you come across an article that explains the benefit for children of being able to turn on the TV and see role models that look like them, share away! But try to share it between the hours of 11 PM and 3 AM, when most people are asleep or too tired to read past the title. That way you are doing your part to affect change, but not like a ton of change. You want everyone to have access to opportunities, but not at the expense of your whiteness making those opportunities easier for you to reach. There’s no reason we can’t live in that kind of world today!
Go to a march by yourself.
A great way to support awareness of these issues is to join the people behind the conversations. Search for dates of Black Lives Matter and similar protests in your area, and be there from start to finish! Just don’t bring a bunch of people along with you. You want to support the people there without pressing your white peers having to question their own beliefs. Because hey, those beliefs come in handy sometimes! Nothing feels better than lightheartedly blowing weed in a cop’s face with no repercussions. There’s gotta be a way to get privilege for everyone without losing your own chosen position of privilege in the process, right?
Care when you have time.
The greatest trap people can fall into concerning social justice issues is indifference. So make sure to stay informed and keep an open mind during your free time. You know; maybe just a few minutes here and there. If you go overboard and start caring every single day, people might start treating you differently. Like next time you speed past a school, the cops might pull you over instead of the black grandmother you were trying to pass on the right.
Don’t be too convincing.
When you’re blind to the issues facing minorities, it’s healthy to have a calm and rational discussion. Explain why it’s not about people just getting a better job and working harder, but that some racial groups have an additional set of hurdles to jump over to get there. But don’t speak too passionately or loudly about it. You really want to strike a chord with people, but not too many people. Not the people who hold the power—the people who keep you in power. Being subconsciously viewed as nonthreatening has gotten you out of SO MANY DWIs, which is nice because you can sleep off your hangover in bed instead of court.
Use these helpful ideas for the next time you feel upset by someone else using their race to gain advantage over others. Because as a human, you strive to create a community of equality among all people! Except you, obviously. Being privileged just feels so cozy!
