Anti-Racism 101: White Privilege
The term ‘white privilege’ has received yet more press following a recent education report commissioned by a group of MPs which explored the academic achievement of white working-class communities. The report holds that such ‘politically controversial terminology’ has contributed to the ‘neglect’ and alienation of ‘disadvantaged white communities’.
But what does ‘white privilege’ actually mean?
‘White privilege’ has been criticised for its alienation of white working-class communities. For people who have seen their communities ‘left-behind’ by globalisation, dismantled by deindustrialisation and blighted by austerity, the word ‘privilege’ doesn’t seem appropriate.
However, white privilege doesn’t deny the reality of class and regional inequalities. Rather, it talks about a different and specific kind of privilege – that which is associated with skin colour. White privilege is simply the idea that your life isn’t made harder because of your skin colour. It’s the experience of living without the fear of being nine times more likely to be stopped and searched by the police. It’s the experience of being less likely to die in childbirth. It’s the experience of being more likely to be employed, have a higher salary and be promoted. I could go on.
There are lots of different types of privilege which highlight how different parts of someone’s identity can afford them advantages and disadvantages in life. Some of these include: gender privilege, socio-economic privilege, able-bodied privilege and heterosexual privilege – white privilege is one in a list of many.
Many of us didn’t ask for these privileges. You may have worked hard to get where you are, in spite of the challenges you face. The goal of using terms such as ‘white privilege’ is not to berate those who live without the consequences of racism, or claim that white communities live without hardship. Rather, it is to invite people to reflect on how they may have benefited from systems built on and influenced by racism, and encourage them to use their own privileges in society to help others and eradicate inequalities. This can apply to any form of privilege.
So what’s the fuss about? The recent education report sits amongst a number of others, including the recent ‘Sewell report’, and signifies the government’s attempts to get a hold on the debate around racism. In these reports, the government has solidified their stance on addressing the root causes of racism. Spoiler: it doesn’t bode well. Fanning the flames around so-called ‘culture wars’, reports such as these purposely seek to distract from the real causes of inequalities: austerity and racism.
Many have also called-out the inaccuracies in the report. Multiple BME or BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) groups, from all socio-economic backgrounds, are represented by just one statistic. This has severely distorted the reality that, for example, white boys on free schools meals outperform Black Caribbean boys on free school meals. So let’s be clear, the severe disadvantage that many white working-class young people face is due to their class, not their race.
White privilege, when represented correctly, is a useful concept that strives to highlight how one key foundation upon which society is built – racism – affects people in disproportionate ways. However, at present it is being used as a scape goat by those who seek to absolve themselves from guilt and accountability regarding the inequalities that still pervade society. Don’t fall for it.
Want to learn more?
The School That Tried to End Racism (Channel 4)
Akala deconstructs race, class, and Britain's modern myths | Unfiltered with James O'Brien #32
Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge
Molly is Jewish and an anti-racist Education Worker at Show Racism the Red Card. She is currently studying for her Masters in Politics at the University of Manchester. She is also a lead youth activist at Amnesty International.