We commit to combatting racism and working to dismantle white supremacy. As a predominantly white congregation, we begin this work by examining our own whiteness and encourage others to do so, as well. Below are some resources to help us reflect on our journey towards understanding our own priviliges.
White PrivilegeWhite privilege (or white skin privilege) is the societal privilege that benefits white people over non-white people, particularly if they are otherwise under the same social, political, or economic circumstances. Academic perspectives such as critical race theory and whiteness studies use the concept to analyze how racism and racialized societies affect the lives of white or white-skinned people.
According to Peggy McIntosh, whites in Western societies enjoy advantages that non-whites do not experience, as "an invisible package of unearned assets". White privilege denotes both obvious and less obvious passive advantages that white people may not recognize they have, which distinguishes it from overt bias or prejudice. These include cultural affirmations of one's own worth; presumed greater social status; and freedom to move, buy, work, play, and speak freely. The effects can be seen in professional, educational, and personal contexts. The concept of white privilege also implies the right to assume the universality of one's own experiences, marking others as different or exceptional while perceiving oneself as normal. Our Church has established an initiative to understand white privilege and the importance it plays in racism which prevails today in out society. We must first become informed. All our Members and Friends have been requested to watch a 15 minute video which will be shown in our auditorium upon request. It can also be seen by clicking on the video below. In addition there is a short article "Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" she wrote on White Privilege which can be read by clicking its button below. |
Other video resources: |
Debbie Irving
Birth of a White Nation
Highland College
What does it mean to be white in a society that proclaims race meaningless
White Rage: Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide
Storyteller Phyllis Unterschuetz
The Promise: A Lesson in White Privilege
Author Dr. Robin DiAngelo discusses 'White Fragility'
Tricia Rose: How Structural Racism Works
Carol Anderson: White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Nation’s Divide
Birth of a White Nation
Highland College
What does it mean to be white in a society that proclaims race meaningless
White Rage: Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide
Storyteller Phyllis Unterschuetz
The Promise: A Lesson in White Privilege
Author Dr. Robin DiAngelo discusses 'White Fragility'
Tricia Rose: How Structural Racism Works
Carol Anderson: White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Nation’s Divide