I thought I was WOKE because I went to all-black schools. We all got along (and still do) and racism did not seem to play a prominent role at my school.

I realize now how misinformed I was. I didn't see racism as an issue at my school because I am white and never experienced racism against myself, and I never saw my friends experience it because we all mostly stayed within the boundaries of our school's culture. I was totally unaware that the sad state of our school was due to white flight and subsequent defunding of our public school system. It didn't occur to me that, academically, I benefited far more than my classmates by being white and middle class. The list goes on...

Just tonight DH and I went for ice cream at a place that has a sandwich shop next door. DH just bought a new truck in a state that doesn't require you to have a front license plate. He went to put it on but didn't have the right screws, is going out tomorrow.

The cops joked Around with Dh about it. We witnessed them joke around with other customers about minor issues with their cars and all were met with a "well fix it soon before you get pulled over".

I can't help but wonder what the interaction may have been if we didn't all look white.

Anonymous wrote:I kind of feel like we’re now supposed to identify any interaction in which we are treated with basic human decency as “White privilege”. Because isn’t that kind of it in a nutshell?

Yep! That’s it! Being treated with basic human decency and being given the benefit of the doubt shouldn’t be a “privilege” - it should just be basic human decency. Thank you for this comment!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really freaks me out as a POC when I see white people open packages and eat things or give things to their kids to eat or to play with in stores BEFORE they pay for them. Doing that could so easily get me arrested.

I’m white and those people disgust me too and they should be arrested.

Only if they try to leave without paying for what was consumed.

Anonymous wrote:Very simple. How I act, behave whatever is not influenced by my color. I believe I live a very moral, honest life so I don’t think that people will judge me by the color of my skin.

$20 says you're white.

We were doing a short term rental on someone’s townhouse. We went out, met him, saw the townhouse and signed the lease. No credit checks, no paystubs, and no reference checks even though we offered. It was just...here’s my check, we’ll move in next week. He said he was happy to rent to people like us. It might’ve been innocuous, but what he said will forever be burned in my brain as an exhibit of my privilege.

Very simple. How I act, behave whatever is not influenced by my color. I believe I live a very moral, honest life so I don’t think that people will judge me by the color of my skin.

I once travelled abroad on a business trip with a very accomplished and elegant black colleague with an African name. Every customs and airport agent looked at my passport and I went right through. My colleague was questioned extensively and rudely
at every check point. I never forgot it and was horrified by her treatment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine is similar -- I've brought my own shopping bag into stores, strolled around putting a few groceries in it, and then gone to the checkout and emptied it onto the conveyor belt. Just to avoid dragging around a basket.

Pure white privilege. I've stopped doing it.

I do that too and I am asian

NP. I never do that. I’d be scared of someone accusing me of stealing.

- white woman

Another white woman who would never do that because it looks like stealing.

Isn't there an old Rosanne episode about this?

Anonymous wrote:It really freaks me out as a POC when I see white people open packages and eat things or give things to their kids to eat or to play with in stores BEFORE they pay for them. Doing that could so easily get me arrested.

I’m white and those people disgust me too and they should be arrested.

I wasn’t driving cross country with my kids and, on a long flat stretch in Kansas, I got pulled over doing 90 in a 65 zone. When the cop came to the window, I rummaged around in the pile of coats and garbage on the passenger seat for my wallet and never though once that he could have pulled a gun on me or hauled me out of the car. I got a ticket for going 75 in a 65 and a kind admonishment to pay attention.

Anonymous wrote:I kind of feel like we’re now supposed to identify any interaction in which we are treated with basic human decency as “White privilege”. Because isn’t that kind of it in a nutshell?

Yes! This is exactly what it is : human decency. I’m reading all these examples, and it’s not that we should stop doing them. That’s the wrong lesson. Keep doing them and fight for human decency & benefit of the doubt to be extended to black costumers too.

When my teenaged son is driving, I *only* have to worry about him being in an accident. I don't have to worry about him being killed by a cop if he's pulled over.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine is "Oh, I don't need a receipt."

I can't tell you how many times I've said no thank you to a bag or a receipt b/c I have a canvas bag, or whatever I'm buying will fit in my tote, and I don't want yet one more piece of paper to shred at home. I hadn't quite realized that all black people were making sure every little thing they bought had a receipt and a bag. What's yours?

I’m sorry...what??

You’re sorry about what?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really freaks me out as a POC when I see white people open packages and eat things or give things to their kids to eat or to play with in stores BEFORE they pay for them. Doing that could so easily get me arrested.

Most white people don't do that.

and you can't get arrested unless you step outside of the store without paying, TROLL

1. I never used the word “most”, nor did I intend to imply it.
2. Actually, people can — and do — get stopped by store security for a variety of “reasons”. That’s why I always get a receipt and a bag.
3. I’m not clear why you’re calling me a name for putting my experiences out there for discussion.