“White privilege” is a term used to describe the benefits and advantages white people have simply because of the color of their skin. This concept exists because of the racism and biases that have endured throughout history in America.
The dictionary defines “privilege” as a “special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.”
The United States Census Bureau defines “white” as “A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.”
An online basic analysis of the question, “What is White Privilege?” defines “white” as “a political, economic, and legal concept established by colonial slave owners to separate poor Europeans and Africans, giving privileges to Europeans, while creating a system of chattel slavery for Africans.”
The term “white privilege” has proven to make many people uncomfortable; the majority of white people are not used to being defined or described by the color of their skin. Another topic of discomfort is that there are white people who are poor, and therefore would not consider themselves “privileged,” but this term is not intended to suggest that white people have never struggled, but rather that their skin color has never been the reason they are enduring those struggles. It is also not intended to discredit the things white people accomplish; it is not to say white people don’t work hard for what they want, but rather that their skin color isn’t a factor that would impede on their ability to achieve such accomplishments. White privilege is an unearned and automatic advantage for those with white skin, separate from their economic status or work ethic. White people didn’t do anything to deserve the beneficial treatment they receive, just as people of color didn’t do anything to deserve the unequal treatment they receive; it is a result of the systemic racism and bias in our country. Due to their skin color, white people are able to have an expectation that their needs will always be met, whereas the needs of people of color are often in the margins. White privilege is the comfort of being perceived as normal because of your skin color. The article Teaching Tolerance says white privilege is the fact that “the personal faults or missteps of white people will likely not be used to later deny opportunities or compassion to people who share their racial identity.” It continues to define it, stating “It’s also the power to remain silent in the face of racial inequity. It’s the power to weigh the need for protest or confrontation against the discomfort or inconvenience of speaking up. It’s getting to choose when and where you want to take a stand. It’s knowing that you and your humanity are safe.”
Teaching Tolerance provides the following examples of white privilege:
The products white people need for their hair being in the aisle labeled “hair care” rather than in a smaller, separate section of “ethnic hair products.”
The grocery store stocking a variety of food options that reflect the cultural traditions of most white people.
The first-aid kit having “flesh-colored” Band-Aids that only match the skin tone of white people.
White people are less likely to be followed, interrogated or searched by law enforcement because they look “suspicious.”
White people’s skin tone will not be a reason people hesitate to trust their credit or financial responsibility.
If white people are accused of a crime, they are less likely to be presumed guilty, less likely to be sentenced to death and more likely to be portrayed in a fair, nuanced manner by media outlets (see the #IfTheyGunnedMeDown campaign).
A study conducted in Australia: in the experiment, people of different racial and ethnic identities tried to board public buses, telling the driver they didn’t have enough money to pay for the ride. Researchers documented more than 1,500 attempts. The results: 72 percent of white people were allowed to stay on the bus. Only 36 percent of black people were extended the same kindness.
White privilege is something that remains prevalent in everyday life in our society, and even when catastrophic events occur, like Hurricane Katrina, and today the Coronavirus Pandemic, the experiences of white people remain very different, and generally better, than those of people of color, simply because of their skin tone. Darren Hutchison, an associate dean at The University of Florida’s Levin Colleges of Law who specializes in the law’s impact on race and gender, describes white privilege during coronavirus:
“You know how you’re scared to go outside right now because you don’t know if the
virus might be transmitted to you? How you’re scared you might lose your job right now
and you don’t know how you’re going to take care of your kids? That’s how racism feels
every day. … You cannot only see inequality in things like health care, but feel this
emotional experience of fearing something that’s out there but you can’t really control it.”
According to a study by Amfar and Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, majority black counties account for 22% of all counties, but have 52% of coronavirus cases and 58% of deaths from Covid-19. CNN reports in an article published in early April that in Louisiana, of the 512 coronavirus deaths, 70% were African American patients despite the fact that African Americans make up only 32% of the state’s population. Similarly, 72% of the deaths in Chicago have been African Americans while they only make up 30% of the city’s population. These disproportionate rates are due to systemic racism and discrimination. Black people have a higher chance of heart disease and high blood pressure which makes them more vulnerable to the virus, but these preexisting health conditions can be attributed to the inequities in the health care system. Hutchison points out the importance of recognizing that these health conditions are not just a product of poverty. He references multiple studies’ results that show that even if there is a controlled income and provided health insurance, people of color still face inequities in health care due to implicit bias. For example, black women have a higher rate of death during childbirth, regardless of their economic status. In addition to healthcare related issues, people of color have to worry about whether or not to protect themselves in public; wearing homemade face-masks increases the chances of getting perceived as a criminal or gang member. Trevon Logan, a professor at Ohio State University points out, “We
have a lot of examples of the presumed criminality of black men in general. And then we have the advice to go out in public in something that ... can certainly be read as being criminal or nefarious, particularly when applied to black men.” Cyntoria Johnson, an assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Georgia State University also spoke on the subject, commenting "People of color have to make conscious decisions every day about the way they show up in the world and are perceived by others, especially the police.”
Despite The World Health organization “urging scientists, government officials and the media to avoid using geographic locations as names for public health crises,” President Trump chose to publicly refer to Coronavirus as the “China Disease.” He has now retracted his use of the term, telling Fox News, "Look, everyone knows it came out of China, but I decided we shouldn't make any more of a big deal out of it. I think I've made a big deal. I think people understand it." By referring to the virus as the “China Disease,” our President put race and ethnicity on the forefront during this pandemic. According to USA Today, 11 people were arrested in New York City during the month of April for hate crimes against Asians. People of Asian descent are being verbally abused, shunned, degraded, coughed and spat-on, and physically assaulted because of their race during this pandemic. In addition to worrying about contracting the virus itself while going out to get groceries and running such necessary errands, Asians are also having to worry about the negative and even violent reactions others have towards them.
White privilege during this pandemic is only having to worry about the transmission of the virus when going out. It is carrying assault-style rifles outside of capitol buildings while advocating for your “freedom.” It is protesting shelter in place orders because your hair has gotten too long. It is a greater sense of security within your job when layoffs occur. It is the comfort of having a healthcare system that will ensure you get the attention you need.
