Editor’s Note:This is the sixth in a series of columns exploring the issues of privilege and, conversely, adversity as faced by various segments of society. The series will run every Thursday.

It’s a gorgeous evening, and I am taking my friend out for a nice meal at one of our favorite restaurants. As we are waiting for our food, we hear strange noises coming from the front. We continue talking, not paying much attention, when suddenly a woman comes over to our table and asks my friend why he thinks sitting down and slacking on the job is acceptable. He tries to explain that he doesn’t work there, he is just eating, but the lady is infuriated that she is not being served.

We were at a Jade Garden, and my friend was Asian-American. I realized that day that I don’t have to worry about going to my favorite restaurant and being confused with the workers there. Why? Simply because of my skin color.

Although race isn’t my favorite word, since it is not a biologically sound concept, white privilege – the benefits that are handed to those that are perceived as having a white skin color – is all too real.

Although skin color is not something that is earned, many of us have inherited it and have been taught how to exploit it without even noticing, making it very hard to deconstruct.

I want to put out a warning right away that just because I am discussing this topic doesn’t mean that I am not guilty of taking full advantage of the white privilege I receive. It is extremely hard to step back and become aware of our various privileges.

It is our nature to look at someone and label them, either for protection (trying to “know” the “unknown”), or because we are social beings that look for connections.

However, it is our responsibility to become aware of our tendencies and manage them.
White privilege extends into all areas of our society. If I ever go on welfare, it will not be blamed on my skin color or the inability of my race to be a productive part of society. In the area of communication, I will never be mistaken for being from another country or congratulated for my good use of English.

Furthermore, in education, I don’t have to worry about being seen as a freeloader because I “must have” been accepted to a college with the help of Affirmative Action. I also don’t have to think about whether my answer to a question will be seen as my race’s answer, as opposed to my own unique answer. I am seen as “normal” in regards to my skin color, which gives me much more access to the world.

Every single day, I receive privileges for being “white.” I can go shopping and know that greeting cards and dolls/action figures that depict my skin color will not be in short supply. Even finding band-aids and makeup that comply with my skin tones will be easy. On the way to the store, I probably won’t be pulled over because of my skin color. I also won’t have to think about whether I am inadequate since I don’t have the “talent” that is associated with my race. Also, I don’t even have to recognize that I am “white” on a daily basis because I am not forced to think about it.

What makes white privilege, and any other privilege, so dangerous is that it goes unnoticed by those who have it. Who, then, will start to dismantle and create awareness of the privilege when those that don’t have it (and can, therefore, see it) are often not listened to?

I hear the phrase “there is no diversity
in Eau Claire” all the time, but this shouldn’t be an excuse to be unaware, because the question is not “are you racist?” but “are you actively anti-racist?”

Hanewall is a senior English and Spanish education double major and a columnist for The Spectator.