Identities Project: Recognizing White Privilege
Many Americans toll the bells of equality, vouching for universal inclusivity and understanding, yet the lingering bitterness of segregation has yet to be completely eradicated.
People in the twenty-first century are still fortunate enough to achieve certain necessities easier than others simply based on their background, preferences, or physical appearance. This is the idea of privilege, or rights given to only a certain group of individuals.
On March 26, the final Identities Project of the year focused on the idea of white privilege, a heavily discussed topic as of late, especially considering the current political environment.
A group of six panelists attended to share their opinions on various questions concerning white privilege. The representatives were Elva Helwig, Marne Boehm, Jessie Latten, Marry Anna Thornton, Alyssa Gosttonczik, and Michelle Pinzl. They represented many different sides of the equation, whether it be the perspective of a college student, an interpreter, an organization that combats inequality, or those who are discriminated against.
The rounded panel brought forth the kinds of privileges that have been lacked by women, African-Americans, Hispanics, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, not to mention people who fall into more than one of those categories.
The panelists encouraged those in attendance to be mindful of the privileges they see in affect around them. They described the term “invisible knapsack” meaning the group of privileges one has that they do not even realize, such as the ability to get a certain education or even the reality of not having to be afraid of the police.
Some privileges are smaller and more disguised than others. One example that was given was the product “nude tights” as the term “nude” can truly only refer to someone with white skin. Certain privileges blend into the lives of those who get to effortlessly exercise them daily.
A lengthy discussion was based on institutional racism. The panel contained two interpreters, Michelle Pinzl and Elva Helwig. They spoke about the unfair misrepresentation that non-native speakers often face in legal situations. Pinzl and Helwig claimed that institutional racism exists in circumstances such as there not being interpreters on the scenes of crimes involving non-native speakers, resulting to inaccurate punishments and claims.
Jessie Latten, a Master of Science in the mental health program, as well as a man who has faced segregation in the past, opened up about some of his experiences growing up in conservative parts of Birmingham, Alabama. “Everywhere you went, there’s two of everything. One for black people and one for white,” he shared, truly encapsulating the discrimination that has surrounded him all his life. Latten added, “Being black, we are one of the most visible races. We can’t take it off.”
The judgement one often receives for parts of their identity that they cannot change is inexcusable. As the country moves closer to overarching equality, it is important that all people remember their privileges and acknowledge the standings of others to aid in the process. Only when we truly understand each other can we all exist on the same grounds.