What It’s Like Being the Whitest Person Alive: My Story
Growing up, I never thought much about my white skin. It was just a part of who I was. My parents never talked about race, and neither did my friends. It wasn’t until I got to college that I realized being white wasn’t just a physical trait, but it also came with certain privileges and responsibilities.
Privilege and Responsibility
As a white person, I have always had certain privileges that come with my skin color. I have never been harassed or discriminated against because of my race. People don’t lock their car doors when I walk by, and I don’t get followed around in stores. I can walk into any job interview or bank and know that my race won’t be a factor in my success.
But with privilege comes responsibility. I have a responsibility to recognize and address the systemic racism that exists in our country. I have a responsibility to educate myself and others on the history and ongoing effects of racism. I have a responsibility to use my privilege to amplify the voices of people of color and work towards creating a more just and equitable society.
Identity Issues
Being the whitest person alive has also come with its own set of identity issues. As someone who grew up in a predominantly white community, I have struggled with feeling like I belong in spaces that are more diverse. I have felt like an imposter in conversations about race, not wanting to say the wrong thing and offend anyone.
I have also had to confront my own biases and stereotypes about people of color. Growing up in a homogenous community, I didn’t always have the exposure or education to understand the experiences of people from different racial backgrounds. It wasn’t until I actively sought out diverse perspectives that I was able to challenge and unlearn some of those biases.
Conclusion
Being the whitest person alive has been a journey of recognizing my privilege and the responsibility that comes with it. It has also meant confronting my own biases and identity issues. While it hasn’t always been easy, I know that continuing to educate myself and engage in conversations about race is necessary in order to be a part of creating a more just and equitable society.
