In an increasingly multi-racial, multi-cultural society, it is of paramount importance that white individuals hoping to make a positive difference in this world be assisted in looking at attitudes - often unconscious - towards people of other races that have been encouraged in them as members of the dominant white society. Not knowing how to identify and examine these attitudes will be a great handicap to them because they run the risk of being unintentionally insensitive to the thoughts, views, and feelings of people of color. In contrast, if they are given some direction about what to look for in themselves, they will be more likely to achieve just, harmonious interaction with diverse people throughout their future lives.

In this workshop, I examine that form of racism known as white privilege - how it began with the institutionalized racism that is woven into the very fabric of this country, and how it operates now in average white US citizens. I start by looking at some historical facts about the early beginnings of this nation - including how the "white race" was invented - and then proceed to detailed discussion of what white privilege is now and how a white person benefits from it daily, whether he or she wants to or not.

In order to place widely, historically the foundations of white privilege, I present some historical background showing that, from its inception, this country was built on a system of interlocking, inter-supporting institutions - economic, educational, legal, military, religious and cultural - all to protect and advance white people while deliberately oppressing all others.

I give brief but pithy facts about what was done to the Indigenous Peoples, Mexicans, people of African descent, as well as an overview of the astounding array of laws and legislation that were passed denying to others - Latinos, Chinese, Japanese and more - the rights and privileges given to whites. I also explain how people of European ancestry stopped being simply English, German, Dutch, etc., and became instead the "white race."

The rest of the workshop consists of a close examination of exactly what white privilege is and how it works in everyday life. I use myself as an example, revealing what I have seen about my own sense of entitlement as a white person and how I benefit from white privilege. As I do, I continually contrast the privilege I receive as a white person with the experiences of people of color. I am very specific about the most ordinary and seemingly trivial aspects of white privilege as well as some of the more dramatic things it takes in having to do with the war on drugs and the prison industrial complex. I include descriptions not only of what I am allowed to do because of the color of my skin, but what I am not subjected to - such as going through my life as an object of suspicion.

This is followed by wide-open discussion, questions, answers - whatever those attending wish to say on this extremely important subject.

White privilege, also called white-skin privilege, is that edge, that extra boost a white person gets in this society just because they're white in a white-dominated society. It's like being a member of a club: you belong, and therefore certain advantages are conferred upon you that are not allowed to an outsider. It is the quiet, everyday form of white supremacy.

My purpose is to provide an atmosphere in which difficult, often controversial issues surrounding race and racism can be discussed with factuality and composure, including in workshops attended by people of diverse cultures and backgrounds. I am fully aware that any deep discussion focusing on race and racial prejudice tends to make everyone exceedingly uncomfortable. That is all the more reason why it's crucial that we get past such things as fear, denial or anger and engage in dialogue about these issues in an environment that engenders honest but non-accusatory communication based on mutual respect. I do everything in my power to take away any stigma such as "You are a bad person if you have racist feelings!" and replace it with a spirit of lively self-examination and inquiry. My aim is for everyone to walk away feeling that they have some exciting new things to look at and think about, and greater self-esteem for having been there.