White people like me are aware that we have an advantage in life, but we don’t often think about it. We go shopping, we drive, we walk our local streets without a thought.
White people like me don’t go through life thinking, “Wow. I’m so lucky that no one is stereotyping me!”
We should be thinking it, though. We should go through our lives aware that we live in a biased system. More importantly, we should be working to change that system.
Inaction is acceptance. Silence shows a desire to keep the system the way it is. Taking action shows awareness that a just system is better for everyone.
These nine ideas were shared by MTV. We can use our white privilege to create a better world.
1.Learn, Read
What does it mean to be “white” in America? What are the privileges that go with white skin? Read about the cultural and ethnic roots of white America. Learn about your own cultural background and find out how that influences the white privilege that you experience.
2. Talk
Talk to other white people about race. Talk to others about white privilege, and how it shapes so many of our views. Call out racist comments when you hear them. Bring up the topic of white privilege, and share your thoughts with your white community. Remember that it will be easier for you to initiate these conversations than it would be for people of color.
3. Find Facts
Get the facts and figures and keep them handy. When people say Black students get all of the scholarships because of affirmative action, for example, you can tell them that white students are 40 percent more likely to be awarded private scholarships than students of color. Look up statistics on police violence and on the numbers of Blacks incarcerated versus the number of whites. Use the numbers when you talk about race and privilege.
4. Share
Use the awesome power of social media to amplify the voices of people of color. Retweet, reblog, and Facebook share posts that expose discrimination and racism. Use social media to support people of color who bring up these issues. Your white privileged position can help to lend validity to these voices within your white community.
5. Speak up
When you see actions or policies that are racist, name them as such. Challenge them. Use your position as a white person to support and stand up for your Black, brown, Asian, and Latino friends. If people of color speak up, they are often accused of being angry or overly sensitive. They’re told not to “pull the race card.”
6. Watch
Be a vigilant observer. If you see acts of racism in public places, observe, record, and report. By bearing witness, you can bring these events into the public eye and open them up for discussion and action. The video of a white police officer shooting an unarmed Black man in the back in Chicago lead to a charge of murder.
7. Shop
Frequent businesses owned by people of color. By supporting businesses in communities of color, you help to support the entire community. If you can’t find businesses owned by people of color in your area, shop online.
8.Vote
Defend voting rights. Black voters have always been discouraged, disenfranchised and discriminated against. You can work to make voting easier by contacting your district representatives about voter suppression. You can volunteer to register voters.
9. Join
Many organizations work for racial and social justice. Lend your energy, passion, and voice to these groups. By working for racial justice and equality, you can help make this a safer, saner community for all of us.
Watch this video for more information on this timely topic.
Featured image from the Detroit Free Press
