Understanding White privilege

Our society provides certain groups of people with unearned advantages and benefits over others simply because there are aspects of their identity that society values over other identities. This is called privilege.

Use the questions below to reflect on your race and ethnicity, and whether or not that aspect of your identity gives you privilege based on your skin color. If you answer “no” to many of these questions, you benefit from racial privilege. Learn how to use that privilege to create space for others and build a more just and inclusive world.

You can learn more about whiteness here.

Has anyone ever blamed you or associated you with criminal activity because of your skin color?

Have you ever felt that you were pulled over, stopped or searched by a police officer because of your race?

Are you afraid to call the police to ask for help?

Have you ever had to educate your kids on how to protect themselves from those in authority, especially police?

Have most of your educators or leaders been a different race or the same race than as you?

Have you ever been turned down for a job interview, loan or housing because of your name?

Have you ever been followed, harassed or accused of shoplifting when shopping alone?

Have you ever been called “a credit to your race” for your accomplishments?

Have others assumed you were admitted to school or hired based upon your credentials, rather than your race?

Have you ever felt like someone asking for your point of view was supposed to represent your entire race?

Have you ever been told that you need to change what you wear, how to cut your hair, how to talk or how you present yourself?

Have you ever feared large repercussions for things like drinking alcohol in public, speeding or loitering?

Have you ever felt blamed or shamed for getting sick or developing a medical disease?