White Privilege

White 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. 

 Here is a list of other videos on this topic.  Everyone is encouraged to watch some of these.  In addition there will also soon be a book list on the webpage.  Most important is a discussion of what we have seen or read at the Book Discussion meeting on October 23, 5 PM, at the Church.  Please plan to attend

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riVAuC0dnP4
Birth of a White Nation 36 Minutes
Debbie Irving


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-pZH-S4jk
What does it mean to be white in a society that proclaims race meaningless… 46 Minutes
Highland College


https://youtube/cVAf8_5QH_I
White Rage: Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide 41 Minutes


https://youtube/A89xhMV63rQ
The Promise: A Lesson in White Privilege 12 Minutes
by Storyteller Phyllis Unterschuetz


https://youtube/45ey4jgoxeU
Dr. Robin DiAngelo discusses 'White Fragility' (she wrote the book) 1 Hour 26 Minutes


https://youtu.be/KT1vsOJctMk
Tricia Rose : How Structural Works 1 hour


https://youtube/YBYUET24K1c
White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Nation’s Divide by Carol Anderson 52 Minutes