White privilege is a term used to describe unearned advantages white skinned people have in the United States. It encompasses the racial targeting of minorities that colored people often live with. A Caucasian person rarely has to deal with a sentiment of being the other in this society. White privilege can be used to describe a self-consciousness or awareness of one’s race as a factor in how a person is treated by others which white people never experience. In Arizona minorities must always be prepared to present documentation of immigration status which whites do not have to worry about. White privilege is a feeling of being the other, or out casted, which white people never experience. For example, if a black person is fired, he/she might have a slight uncomfortable feeling that it was perhaps because of race or cultural identity. Many times employers are white and minorities have to work wondering if their cultural origin is respected or understood. Standardized testing has been proven to advantage white students who often go to better schools because they come from affluent communities.

       I asked two colleagues of my mother, two Indian professors in a Massachusetts College, if they knew what white privilege was. Both had heard of the concept. Professor V. said “Yes, it means that simply being white gives a person advantages in life–in being hired, in the way the person is viewed at school and in being taken seriously at work. I think though that white privilege is more prevalent for white men than for white women.” When asked if she thought white privilege was real she answered “Yes, I do because I think the way one is viewed by others has a deep impact on a person’s psyche and aspirations.” She finished by emphasizing that studies show that class also plays a key role in a person’s upbringing and culture and is often a part of discrimination. Professor A. explained “Yes, I have heard about white privilege. I think, first of all, that it does not apply (equally) to all whites, and that other sorts of privilege also operate in tandem with it.” Both thought they were other type of privileges aside from color.

       Both agreed that class is a factor although it is not talked about in American society. Privileges benefit certain groups of people. When asked if white privilege could be changed or remedied Prof A. explained “It is real, but it is, unfortunately, not a matter of ‘getting rid’ of it. It’s a matter of changing society. The first thing is to diversify the minds that have power (through election, support of different initiatives in communities, and so forth), and also for being responsible citizens who evaluate and critique not just what is around oneself but how one’s own actions contribute to the situation.” Both professors have been in this country longer than 20 years and are raising multicultural families. Professor A. did share that when she moved to an affluent community there were times when people thought she was “a nanny” because her sons are lighter skinned then she is.

        At school, I took the initiative to introduce myself to a student who is an immigrant from India. This young man was a strong example of a person who does not experience any white privilege in this country and he had never heard of the concept. When he told me his name I did not understand him and was a bit embarrassed to ask him to repeat it. Culturally his south Indian background was very different than the average college kid. He was listening to some Indian music. When asked if he listened to American music he said no but he was exposed to some new age Indian house music by his friend back home. He had a New England Patriots hat on the table and I asked if it was a way of assimilating. He said “no it is just a way for me to be able to interact with people here because people love sports so much.” He explained that if he goes to a bar it is a way for him to make conversation. He enjoyed cricket but could not follow the games because staying up late at night to watch a match would interfere with his education. I asked if he went to temple in India and in the USA. He said he missed going to temple in India and that the only temple here was too far away to go to and it was “inconvenient”. I asked if he ever felt that people treated him differently because he was a foreigner and he said no, but I got the impression it was him keeping a positive outlook. He enthusiastically said “I am willing to repeat myself 10 times” which did not bother him but added “if they can’t understand me or don’t try, to hell with them”. The thing he missed most from home was the food since he does not cook. I wished him good luck and being friendly gave him my email saying “my father was an immigrant to this country too”. I told him that being successful like my dad was possible and to keep his head up.