Talking about privilege can be tricky, especially when it comes to race. Sometimes, white people say things that show they might not understand how different life can be for others. It’s not always on purpose, but these comments can hurt feelings or make others feel left out.
Don’t worry if you’ve said some of these before – we’re all learning! By understanding these phrases better, we can all work together to make our world a little fairer and kinder for everyone.
“I don’t see color.”
While this might sound nice, it ignores the real experiences of people of color. Everyone’s race affects how they’re treated in the world. Pretending not to see color means you might miss important ways that racism still happens today. It’s better to see and celebrate our differences while fighting unfairness.
“All lives matter.”
This phrase often comes up when people say “Black lives matter.” But it misses the point. Of course, all lives matter, but right now, Black people face more danger and unfairness. Saying “all lives matter” is like telling someone with a broken arm that all bones matter. We need to focus on helping where it’s needed most.
“I’m not racist, I have Black friends.”
Having friends of different races is great, but it doesn’t mean you can’t still have biased thoughts or actions. Everyone can have racist ideas without meaning to. Real friendship means listening to your Black friends about their experiences and working to change unfair systems.
“Why is everything about race these days?”
For people of color, race has always been a big part of life. It’s not that things are more about race now – it’s that we’re talking about it more openly. This can feel new or uncomfortable for white people who haven’t had to think about race as much. But talking about it is how we make things better.
“Racism ended a long time ago.”
While laws have changed, racism is still a big problem. It shows up in things like who gets jobs, how kids are treated in school, or how safe people feel around police. Saying racism is over ignores the real struggles many people still face every day.
“You’re so articulate!”
This might sound like a compliment, but it often comes as a surprise that a person of color speaks well. It suggests that white people don’t expect people of color to be smart or well-spoken. It’s better to compliment someone’s ideas or the content of what they’re saying instead.
“Where are you really from?”
This question assumes that people of color aren’t “really” American (or from whatever country they’re in). It can make people feel like outsiders in their own homes. If you’re curious about someone’s background, it’s better to get to know them naturally over time.
“I never owned slaves.”
This comment misses the point that racism isn’t just about slavery. It’s about how society still treats people differently based on race. Even if your family never owned slaves, you might still benefit from a system that favors white people. It’s about working to change unfair systems, not feeling guilty.
“I’m not privileged, I grew up poor.”
Privilege isn’t just about money. White privilege means not having to deal with certain problems because of your race. You can have white privilege and still face other hardships. It’s about recognizing that race doesn’t make your life harder, even if other things do.
“Why isn’t there a White History Month?”
Every month is already mostly about white history in many schools. Black History Month (and other heritage months) exist to teach important stories that are often left out. It’s about adding to our understanding of history, not taking anything away.
“You’re being too sensitive.”
This dismisses the real feelings and experiences of people of color. What might seem small to a white person could be part of a larger pattern of unfair treatment of others. It’s important to listen and try to understand, even if you don’t see the problem at first.
“Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.”
This ignores the real barriers that racism creates. It’s like telling someone to climb a ladder while others get to take an elevator. Working hard is important, but some people face extra challenges because of their race. We need to recognize and fix those unfair systems.
“What about reverse racism?”
Racism is about power, not just being mean. It’s like saying a mouse is bullying a cat. While anyone can be unkind, bigger groups have more power to cause harm.
“I’m just not attracted to [insert race] people.”
Ruling out a whole race often comes from hidden biases. It’s like saying you don’t like any food from a country you’ve never visited. Being open might surprise you.
“I don’t see you as Black/Asian/etc.”
This tries to be nice but erases part of someone’s identity. It’s like saying “I don’t see you as tall” to a tall person. People’s backgrounds are important to who they are.
9 Strange American Sports You’ve Never Heard Of
9 Strange American Sports You’ve Never Heard Of
9 Times Americans Took Patriotism to a Whole New Level
