White Skin Privilege
Our generation didn't build the house of racism,
but we are living in it and reaping its benefits.
A 30-day Challenge
If a year ago you had sent me an invitation to a program to learn how to be an ally for blacks, I would likely have wondered why. First of all, I would have said that I was already staunchly against racism and had been my whole life. I would have assumed that I first needed to be racist before engaging in a process to become an antiracist.
But the world changed in 2020 and I have changed with it. The George Floyd incident that burned into the psyche of the world, was a watershed moment in time. No longer was I able to rest in the cozy comfort that because I believe we’re all truly equal, treat all black people with respect, and have deep compassion for the inequalities that blacks have suffered throughout the history of the U.S.—that I was surely not a racist! And I certainly would have objected to anyone calling me that.
But evolution happens and I’m grateful for it. Through the help of some dear friends, I have come to realize that if I’m not working against racial inequalities, and yet benefitting from them, then I am complicit in maintaining them. Ouch! If I’m contributing to continuance of racism, then I am racist. A big ouch.
I have absolved myself of a responsibility for creating racial equity by telling myself that racial issues are improving in this country and are better than they were in the past. While it’s true that racism is better hidden than it was in the past, it is alive and well. I’m not talking about the skinheads and the acts of racism that are clearly despicable, but rather the hidden systemic racism that exists which is embedded in our banking, housing, educational, legal, and police systems.
It’s absolutely true that the white people living in our country today did not build the house of racism, but we are living in it and reaping the benefits of racism. Since wrapping my head around this stark reality and acknowledging the truth of it, I have discovered a treasure trove of YouTube videos, articles, books, and podcasts that are available to educate us white folks about the systemic racism that exists in our country. Like many other nice white people, I have largely been unaware of many of them.
I have found the sheer volume of information to be overwhelming at times, so I am recommending one program for you to consider. It’s free and delivers a daily compilation of videos, readings, and journal reflections. You are free to go at your own pace and you do only as much as you choose to do. You can skip days as long as you go in the prescribed order. It’s an excellent first step toward educating yourself about racism and learning what steps you can take as an individual to bring about positive change. It’s called, “The AntiRacist Table: 30 Day Challenge,” https://theantiracisttable.com/.
I truly believe that the only way that racism will be eradicated in America is when white people who benefit from it, stand up against it. That won’t be possible unless we recognize that racism is pervasive and systemic in our country. Racism is embedded in our banking, housing, educational, legal, and police systems. It’s likely that this program will reveal things to you that you might otherwise be more comfortable not knowing. My hope is that you choose truth over personal discomfort and denial.
Let’s make 2021 a year that where our actions match our stated values. We change this world one person at a time and we only do that with Love. Are you up for the challenge?
I have a doctorate in counseling psychology and have been a psychotherapist for 35 years. My work centers around helping others to heal from trauma, release old beliefs and behaviors that no longer serve them, and cultivate new patterns that allow them to thrive. stevensmithpsychologist.com
I am also an author of a book based on 5 life-enhancing principles, titled, “Living Your Best: A Powerful Blueprint for Personal Transformation.” https://stevensmith-author.com/