5 Myths About White Privilege

5 Myths About White Privilege

Written by: Dave DeRose

            As soon as some of you read my first few points, I know that you are going to check out. Some of you are going to disagree with me, some in quiet and others vocally. To those of you who disagree, I ask that you challenge yourself to read this piece in its entirety – it’s not long – and reflect on the points made. How do they make you feel? And, why do you feel that way? After you have considered those thoughts I encourage you to contact me with questions you have or if you would like to express your thoughts.

Others will agree with most if not everything I say.  I would encourage you to raise your voice on this issue, help me clear the air.

Now when it comes to white privilege – I just felt to collective chill running down the spine of white people everywhere – there are five myths that directly impact how white privilege is perceived, and perception is reality.  It is time to lift the veil on what white privilege is in order to remedy these misguided perceptions. These common misconceptions have led white people everywhere to push back and reject it. However there is nothing to push against here. Truth is like the wind, no matter how hard you push you’ll never knock it down. You’ll either fall on your face or a gust will knock you down. I will identify these myths in order to better convey the reality of white privilege really is. It is not something to be afraid of, feel guilty about, or be threatened by.

#1 White privilege is a racist term.

            White privilege does acknowledge race as a factor of society; however, it is not a racist term. It is a societal observation that race is the variable that changes how people experience life. It is a cultural term that should stay in that context. White people belong to the dominant culture group and are thus less impacted (if impacted at all) in American culture based on the color of their skin, than people of color are. Every culture around the world has a dominant culture group. If you live in the Middle East, this could be the difference between being Shi’a or Sunni. In India it is the difference between being a Brahman or an Untouchable. In China it is the Han Chinese. The cultural group you are born to directly impact how you experience the society you are raised in. Race in this country, just so happens to be our dividing line. 

#2 Acknowledging white privilege means that you have to admit to being racist.

            Being a member of the dominant culture group doesn’t make you racist. It just means that your skin color is the same as the one belonging to the dominant culture group.  I will discuss were racism comes into play later. 

# 3 White privilege discredits a white person’s hard work and success.

            White privilege doesn’t discredit any hard working white person's success and throw it in the trash as, “This only happened because they are white.” People of all races work hard and lift themselves out of poverty everyday. My parents came to Colorado with little more than $300. They – through hard work and being responsible – were able to build something amazing. Their success is not due to their skin color. However, choosing neighborhoods, buying shampoo, finding Band-Aids that matched the color of their children’s skin was not as stressful as it would have been for a black family. They were never hired for a job and then accused of only getting it because they were white and their employer needed to fit a quota. They were always viewed as competent for the jobs they earned.

#4 White privilege is a stereotype.

            Merriam-Webster defines a stereotype as, “A standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment.” In other words, thinking that all gay men are flamboyant, physically weak, and dress in a certain way is a stereotype.  It turns human beings into single word negative definition. Stereotypes, such as the one listed above, do exist and are detrimental to our society: white privilege is not a stereotype. White privilege identifies a social construct that revolves around being born white in a white dominated culture. It, in essence, says that there are things you don’t have to worry about because you were born in white skin.  That’s what privilege is; not having to worry about things others do. Just like a child being born to wealthy parents. It is not the child’s fault they were born into privilege. Yet, as the child gets older, acknowledging they are more privileged than others is essential to understanding their place in the world. Only when we, as white people, acknowledge there is white privilege can we begin to use it to improve circumstances for those not born in the dominant culture group. Just as a wealthy family can use their privilege to help others by donating money, hiring people outside their race, and a plethora of other ways; we too can use our ears, voices, and attitudes to improve circumstances for those not born in the dominate culture group.

#5 There is only one race, the human race.

            I have heard this one a lot, and to be honest I wish it were true. As a Christian, I believe that we are all made in God’s image and therefore are all connected. Yet, to deny different races, religions, and cultures is to deny peoples experiences as they walk through life. When we deny people’s lived experiences, it is like telling them they don’t exist. For if the experiences they have had are just imaginary then their life must be as well. Different races do experience the world differently. For example, I went shopping for groceries and hygiene products this morning. I went to my local grocery store – just up the street – and was able to find shampoo, hair gel, and all the foods that I grew up with easily. I didn’t have to drive to a special “ethnic” store to find the products I needed. This is not true for everyone. 

In conclusion

            White privilege is a reality. Skin does impact how we experience life: especially in this country. To dismiss this fact is to deny the reality of so many great people. In my opinion, the only racist action is to deny this truth and sweep it under the rug of indifference.