White Privilege by Dawn Hoffman

Last week I posted a story that hurt my heart.

It was the day I saw 5 boys walking by my house.

I said hello and some of them said hi back.

One declared; "We are minding our own business."

Tears filled my eyes then one yelled; "Don't mind him, He's trippin.”

 I said; "I do mind and I'm sorry that he thought he had to say it."

Did I mention the boys were black?

I was overcome with emotion knowing that the color of my skin frightened a beautiful human being.

White privilege is the arrogance to think it's only the other way around.

White privilege is the fact that white skin dissipates judgment, fear and suspicion from in most scenarios.

White privilege claims that it’s not a problem the boy was taught not cause waves with white folks.

White privilege is thinking you are more important than any other human on the face of the planet!

White privilege is not about having black and brown friends and saying that eliminates the truth of its existence.

I didn't ask for it, but I have lived with it everyday of my life.

I will not deny it.

I cannot deny it.

For most it is an unconscious.

We have lived with it for so long we can’t see it.

I encourage you to look deeper.

I won't feel threatened if it disappears.

Do you feel threatened if it disappears?

Threatened enough to wave your confederate flag, wear your hoods, stand by and watch hate crimes, not allowing equality to be lived out loud?

White Privilege is saying things like “All Lives Matter” which is just another way of saying your history didn’t happen.

Our history books are filled with white history and black oppression.

With war and wait is there anything, anything about peace?

Perhaps, but that's not where the money is…..back to the point.

White privilege

If you are white you have it.

If you're not you've justifiably resented it.

If you are white please don't deny it.

Just like global warming; it exists.

Its not melting icebergs, but it has melted the truth of who we are as a species.

We all have to acknowledge it for it to heal. 

We can intend moving forward to let go of the false beliefs we were all taught and come together peacefully. Lovingly. With fresh eyes we only see unity. With forgiveness new growth.

I will celebrate and pray each day for people to be judged on their character and not the color of their skin.

“Love your neighbor as yourself” doesn’t say anything about the color of our neighbors.

Ask yourself; What step can I take today to change my vision? To change this story of White Privilege so that future generations will never know it’s pain?