White Privilege

My experience thus far has been really eye opening and I give so much credit and empathy to those that have showed endless strength and resiliency. Throughout the last month, we have constantly talked about race and how it has/will play a huge role in our service. Due to the recent history of SA, I am well aware (and was always well aware) of the white privilege that I naturally have but, it has been made me more aware of how that white privilege is used in ways that you may not even realize. I have to check myself everyday to make sure that I am never allowing my white privilege to be used in a way that is exacerbating the current view of a white person (whether in an American or SA context). As an American, I am already viewed to be rich, to have a maid where I live, to have certain materialistic things, etc. I constantly exchange the information that not all Americans have a lot of money or “rich people” things. Realizing that these conversations will be continuous gives me a feeling of relief because I know that no matter what I’m doing or where I’m at, I can always share information about the US that will be beneficial for the understanding of cultures that are represented in the States.

This is the first time where I’ve felt the struggle of being the minority in a place that I’m living. As a white women in a rural village, I stick out like a sore thumb. No matter where I go or what I’m doing, all eyes are on me (as well as the other Americans). The way that I have been viewed has changed a lot about how I carry myself in certain areas. I know that I cannot say certain things, wear certain things, or show certain things in a public setting because of this preception that is already attached to me, especially being a woman. Though this will be a continual struggle, it will also be a learning process to help me better understand how I can help change the perspective/judgment of the color of one’s skin. It will also help me better understand how to be an ally to those that stick out like me.