Sometimes the word "privilege" is confusing because people assume it is about getting special treatment. This is one part of privilege. As we discussed last week, this is part of White Supremacy.

The other part of privilege, though, is all the unfair things you get to avoid. These things are things we might expect to be normal for everyone because they feel to us like simply treating someone like a human. We expect them to be normal because we live in a culture where White folks are considered "normal." White privilege does not mean you don't have problems in your life, it just means your skin color has not been the reason.

So let's break down the definition of White privilege.

Privilege comes from being part of the dominant culture. The dominant culture is the groups of people labeled as "normal" in a society because they have the most power to say what's normal. The dominant culture has historically had the political power and ability to write laws that privilege their group the most.

The subordinate culture is the groups of people who don't fit that narrow definition of "normal." We sometimes hear people in the subordinate culture referred to as "minorities," but in many cases there are more people who fit into the subordinate culture than the dominant culture. People in the subordinate culture are often marginalized, or treated as insignificant or powerless.

The dominant culture in every country is different, but in the United states, a person who fits all parts of the dominant culture would be a wealthy White heterosexual neurotypical and abled cisgender male adult citizen who speaks English. People with other identities experience marginalization. In many countries, the concept of Whiteness gives you privilege. White-skinned and light-skinned people are often given privilege over darker-skinned people. Even in the United States, people who appear White, but are not ethnically White, receive white-passing privilege in some situations.

In her 1988, a feminist named Peggy McIntosh wrote an article about what she called the "Invisible Knapsack" of White privilege. In the article, she listed a number of different privileges that she possesses as a White person, even though she also has the marginalized identity of being a woman. "Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" is how the concept of "unpacking your privilege" was coined.

Unpacking your privilege means understanding the way you get treated positively so you can work to create a world where everyone gets treated positively. It also means coming to understand the way, what you consider "normal" and "right" may not be reflected in the experiences of marginalized people. While this work should be done with all of our privileged identities, our focus will be on unpacking your White privilege.

Knowing that you benefit from White privilege is an important first step. This can feel really uncomfortable to acknowledge. Why? It can make us feel uncertain whether the way we are treated, the things we have achieved, and the things we have are a result of how we have acted and worked in life or a result of our privilege.

Remind yourself:

• Having privilege doesn't necessarily mean you didn't earn everything in your life. It might mean you had an easier time getting those things than others. It doesn't mean your hard work is meaningless, it might just mean you had less challenges than others to get there. It's okay to feel disappointed by this and to write about it or discuss it with a White friend or family member.

• Being uncomfortable is important! It is only through discomfort that we grow. You can write or talk about that discomfort with a White friend or family member. Remember that your discomfort is a result of your privilege: if you didn't benefit from privilege, you wouldn't be so surprised and uneasy with this realization.

As Tiffany Jewell writes in her book This Book Is Anti-Racist, "Your privilege is something you don't often think about. It's often invisible to you until you take a moment to gain some insight and awareness into your whole self." This may sound like a lot, but actually listing the privileges you take for granted can help you wrap your head around systemic racism better. Let's start with the video below from MTV Decoded. As you listen, notice which privileges you might take for granted.

1. I can find "flesh-colored" products (like bandaids, make-up, or clothing) that are close to my skin tone.

2. If I am good or bad at an academic subject in school, no one will assume it is because of my race.

3. If I change my hairstyle, it is unlikely that people will touch my hair.

4. I can own a gun-shaped object without fear that it will cause a police officer to hurt me.

5. I see people of my race on United States currency (money).

6. I can see people of my race in lots of fantasy movies, including the Lord of the Rings.

7. I can disagree with a police officer without fearing that I will be arrested or killed.

8. I can wear a hoodie without anyone assuming I am trying to hurt them.

9. If I only knew one language fluently, I would not be shamed by friends or family.

10. If I wanted to, I could only hang out with people of the same race as me.

11. If my family moved to a wealthier neighborhood, I can be pretty sure that my neighbors will be neutral or pleasant to me.

12. When I go into a store, I can be pretty sure that I will not be followed or harassed.

13. I can turn on the television or open a magazine or newspaper and see people of my race widely represented.

14. When I am taught about American history, I am told that people of my color made it what it is.

15. In history classes, I can be sure that the materials we watch and read will acknowledge that people of my race existed during most time periods.

16. I can be pretty sure of having my voice heard in a group in which I am the only member of my race.

17. I can go into a supermarket and easily find foods which fit with my cultural traditions

18. I can go into a hairdresser's shop and find someone who can cut my hair.

19. If I get invited on a field trip, I can be pretty sure no one will assume I cannot afford to pay the fee.

20. My parents do not have to educate me to be aware of systemic racism for my own daily physical protection.

21. If I follow the school's expectations, I can be pretty sure that my teachers will tolerate me; I don't worry about their attitudes toward my race.

22. I can talk with my mouth full and not have people blame this on my color.

23. I can curse, dress in second hand clothes, or not complete my homework, without having people blame these choices to the bad morals, the poverty, or the illiteracy of my race.

24. When I do well, I can expect that no one will say I'm an exception to my race.

25. I am never asked to speak on behalf of all the people of my racial group.

26. I can openly admit I don't know the language and customs of people of color who make up the world's majority without feeling stupid in my own culture.

27. I can criticize our government and talk about how much I fear its policies and behavior without being seen as a cultural outsider.

28. I can disagree with or ask questions about the rules or policies of my school without being labeled as having a bad attitude or being disrespectful.

29. I can be pretty sure that if I ask to talk to the "person in charge", I will be facing a person of my race.

30. If I get in trouble at school, I can be sure I haven't been singled out because of my race.

31. I can easily buy posters, post-cards, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys and children's magazines featuring people of my race.

32. I can go home from school or extra-curricular activities I belong to feeling somewhat connected, rather than isolated, out-of-place, outnumbered, unheard, held at a distance, or feared.

33. I can be pretty sure that if I report someone saying something offensive, racist, or bullying, that I will be believed.

34. I have not been taught to be afraid to ignore the perspectives and powers of people of other races.

35. I can worry about racism without being seen as self-interested or trying to use it to get ahead.

36. If my day, week, or year is going badly, I don't need to question whether each bad thing that happened was because of race.

37. I can be pretty sure of finding people who would be willing to talk with me, encourage me, and advise me about my future, college, or professional aspirations.

38. When I think about my future plans and dreams (school and professional), I can imagine it without asking whether a person of my race would be accepted or allowed to do what I want to do.

39. I can be late to meet a friend without having the lateness reflect on my race.

40. I can be sure that if I medical help, my race will not work against me.

41. In school, we read books about people of my race, written by people of my race.

42. I will feel welcomed and "normal" in the most of the places I regularly go.

43. I can play video games without fearing that people will use slurs about my race.

44. I can use slang words without people believing I am poor or uneducated.

45. I post on social media about Black Lives Matter without fearing that someone will call me a racist slur.

Some of the privileges we have as White people are things we would want everyone to have. These things are just common decency and we want to spread these privileges. Other privileges we have are harmful to others and make us worse, too. These are privileges that no one should have and can be considered unearned power, which we want to end.

Let's clarify the difference between those below:

WEEK 2

Dominant Culture: groups of people labeled as "normal" in a society because they have the most power to say what's normal because they historically have the power to make the laws

Subordinate Culture: groups of people who don't fit the narrow definition of "normal" created by the dominant culture

Privilege: the benefits people get from holding an identity that is part of the dominant culture

Marginalized: when a group of people is treated as insignificant, powerless, or lesser because of their identity

White Privilege: the benefits White people get simply for being White

Common Decency: the opportunity, kindness, and trust given to privileged people that everyone else should have

Unearned Power: imbalances of power that allow privileged people to get away with harmful actions.

WEEK 1

White Supremacy: the ways that our society is built to create a hierarchy with White folks on top. It is the ways the laws, norms, and expectations of our society put White people first, while harming Black people , Indigenous people, and People of Color (BIPOC).

Oppression: unjust treatment and harm over a long time due to your belonging to a group that has less power.

Interpersonal Harm: hurt done by one person to another.

Systemic Oppression: harm done by systems like laws, institutions (education, medicine, prison), and societal norms

Anti-Racism: actively working to end systemic racism by changing your thoughts, actions, and the society around you

Active Ally: someone who is against racism, mostly in their thoughts and words

Accomplice: someone who is against racism through their actions and behaviors

Co-conspirator: someone who is actively working with BIPOC communities to end racism by taking risks in their daily lives