Subtle instances or not, white privilege can often go unnoticed by those who benefit from it every day of their lives. To gain a better insight, check out these 17 occurrences or situations that you may have overlooked.
Job Interview Assumptions
When attending a job interview, a white person will often benefit from base assumptions about their level of capability and professionalism, proving that the first impression can give them a significant advantage. While it isn’t always intentional, some employers may subconsciously associate their race with positive traits such as reliability and competence.
Navigating Airports Smoothly
Esquire quotes historian Mia Bay as they write, ‘travel is one of the few realms of life where the American class system is really laid bare.’ Going through airport security or flying first class is typically less stressful for white travelers as they are less likely to be targeted for additional screening or hounded about their intentions for travel.
Shopping Without Suspicion
Shopping as a white person usually means moving through stores without attracting any undue attention. These types of shoppers are less likely to face suspicion, be followed by security, or be assumed to be shoplifting. For people of color, it can be an entirely different story, which leads to unfair treatment and uncomfortable encounters.
Renting Apartments Easily
The simple act of finding somewhere to call home can be a smoother process for white individuals and usually doesn’t come with obstacles. Landlords may hold biased beliefs that make them more willing to rent to white tenants, which adds significant complications when people of color are in the same situation.
Positive Media Representation
The majority of movies, television shows, and advertisements that you come across will often place white characters in admirable roles, while people of color are limited to stereotypical portrayals. Not only does this impact their self-image as adults, but it teaches children that it is normal to see people with their skin color shown negatively in the media.
Cultural Norms in the Workplace
Historically, workplace environments and cultures have reflected white norms, which make it easier for white employees to mesh well into the space and succeed in their roles. The Stanford Social Innovation Review reports that in the working environment, white supremacy culture discriminates against non-Western ‘professionalism standards related to dress code, speech, work style, and timeliness.’
Freedom from Hair Discrimination
White people can style their hair however they please without fear of discrimination because their natural hair is never seen to be “unprofessional” in work environments. Black people often face bias against their natural hair and the traditional ways of styling it, which usually results in unfair dress code policies and discrimination.
Assumptions of Leadership
Often perceived as natural leaders, white people have more chances of gaining leadership opportunities and find it easier to advance their careers. On the other hand, people of colour may have to unfairly push themselves to work harder in order to prove that they are just as capable. Recognising this as a society means to acknowledge potential regardless of race.
Legal System Treatment
As we’ve all witnessed throughout history, white people are generally treated more leniently by the legal system and given a more favorable experience. The likelihood of them being stopped by the police, searched, and arrested is also drastically slimmer, proving that systemic biases are impacting the lives of people of color.
Social Media Algorithms
A problem that is relatively new to us is social media platforms favoring white creators and content over that made by people of color. NPR uses TikTok as an example as they write ‘Black users have consistently had to fight for visibility and credit’ and in 2021, terms such as “Black Lives Matter” were being ‘suppressed by automated moderators.’
Freedom from Microaggressions
Throughout their daily lives, people of color experience derogatory comments and offensive behaviors that have huge effects on their well-being, whether they are subtle or not. The constant need to navigate microaggressions in all aspects of life can be very emotionally draining and is something that white people are unlikely to ever comprehend.
Representation in Politics
Have you ever noticed how common it is to see more representation of white people in political offices than people of color? This clear imbalance of diversity can seriously affect policy outcomes and voting power, leading to a lot of communities being let down because their needs are not being addressed, and everyone deserves to have a voice.
Acceptance of Names
White individuals with common names are very unlikely to experience discrimination based on this since their names are often seen as standard and easy to pronounce. However, people of color with unique or culturally specific names may experience bias, which can affect their performance in job applications and their perception in social situations and workplace environments.
Access to Mentorship
With greater access to inspirational mentors who share a similar background, an instance where white privilege is often overlooked is the ease of ability to gain valuable guidance from successful people which creates unequal opportunities. In acknowledging this disparity, we can understand the need for more diverse mentoring programmes.
Freedom from Exoticism
Whether it be lived experiences or representations through the media, people of color are more likely to be treated as a novelty or fetishized based on their appearance. These harmful stereotypes can have a huge impact on self-esteem as well as an individual’s way of navigating the world and social situations.
Financial Stability Perceptions
It is a common misconception that white people are more financially stable and trustworthy with money. This is particularly apparent in instances where people of color face skepticism when trying to form business partnerships and gain credit opportunities. As a society, we need to understand how this privilege affects people of color and their deserved access to economic growth.
Representation in History
The history books that we read in school tended to showcase white figures and their perspective while people of color may see their historical events as misrepresented. Teen Vogue writes that ‘in the early 20th century, Black Americans were fighting to tell their own story,’ and without this dedication, cultural celebrations such as Black History Month would not have emerged.
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