Last month I attended an event where, for the very first time in memory, I felt ill at ease. It was a gathering where the number of white attendees was less than 15%. All day long I couldn’t put my finger on why I felt uncomfortable and wasn’t having the best time of my life. Days later I found the word to describe how I felt:
Invisible.
Overlooked and Not Included
It is an interesting feeling to have as a white, educated privileged woman. During the event, I was overlooked and not included. The rest of the attendees were not deliberately choosing not to include me, but rather, they were going about their day, celebrating and having what looked to be an amazing time. I however, felt as though I didn’t belong there. Now I am not a shy person. I am comfortable talking to anyone about anything at any time (hence my chosen career path). So, the real question is why didn’t I do what I always do: reach out and join the festivities?
I have come to believe that what I experienced on a small scale is what perhaps it might feel like for non-white individuals in a dominant white culture. Please understand that I am not comparing my experience to the unconscious bias and overt racism.
The term “White Privilege” refers to the societal advantages that white people experience in various aspects of life based on their race, highlighting how systemic racism can lead to unequal treatment and opportunities for people of different racial backgrounds. White Privilege can be seen in education, employment, social settings, housing, and interactions with law enforcement (George Floyd). Talking about White Privilege helps people develop a better understanding of how race can influence experiences and societal structures, emphasizing the need for awareness and equity.
White privilege is something that I have been aware of for years. Through discussions with a friend, I was reminded of work done by Peggy Marshall, Ph.D. former associate director of the Wellesley Centers for Women, and founder of the National SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity). In Marshall’s PDF article, “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” she states, “I have come to see white privilege as an invisible package of unearned assets that I can count on cashing in each day, but about which I was “meant” to remain oblivious. White privilege is like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools, and blank checks.”
Privileges of Being White
I would encourage you to read the article which highlights 50 daily experiences or privileges of being white that you may never have thought of before. Until now. Such as:
- If I am stopped by authorities, it isn’t because of my skin colour
- When using cheques, credit cards or cash I can count on my skin colour not to work against the appearance of financial reliability
- I can swear, or dress in second hand clothes without having people attribute these choices to bad morals, poverty or illiteracy
- I can worry about racism without being seen as self-interested or self-seeking
- I can be sure that if I need legal or medical help, my race will not work against me.
Let’s do better – beginning with awareness and feeling free to explore issues with a trained professional (like me). It’s through understanding thoughts, feelings and behaviours, that new ways of interacting with the world can be cultivated. Meet with an impartial, non-biased psychotherapist and personal counsellor to openly discuss issues or problems that you might be experiencing as a result of current challenges or historical problems.
Listening. Guiding. Caring.
