Hayley Titus Winslow: Recognize and use white privilege for good

Even though I grew up right in the middle of an extremely diverse world in California, I can pinpoint times in my life that define my inherited white privilege.

• Although my schools in California were very diverse, once you crossed over the bridge into the suburbs, the vast majority of people were white. I can remember where non-white people lived. Thank heavens it’s not because of fear or suspicion but rather due to our friendships. White privilege.

• My white race was the minority at my schools, yet most of the teachers looked like me. White privilege.

• I had a birthday party at my house. My mom wanted me to invite my whole class (which was awesome). She told me some of the kids had never been to a birthday party. She arranged for the kids to be bused to my house after school for the party because no one could drive them. My parents arranged to drive them home after. No one brought gifts. I was last in line to hit the piñata. I realized quickly this party wasn’t so much for me as it was for them. I learned a valuable lesson. White privilege.

• I remember the darkest kid was named Yusef. My brain: “What a weird name. He’s different. He’s really dark.” My now almost 40-year-old brain shamefully remembers him because of those things. White privilege.

• My son is 1 month to the day older than his African American cousin. They talk the same. They love the same things. They have been the same height and weight most of their lives. My son has never had a conflict with his peers or teachers. My nephew (remember, similar personalities) has struggled with teachers and peers because he is dark. White privilege.

I’m not a bad person. I’m not racist. My best friend growing up is Native American. My school friends were Latin American, Muslim, Jewish, black and white. I am part of a family that did foster care and took in children from many ethnic backgrounds. My brother and sister have multiple ethnic backgrounds. My nephew is black and that matters. All of this taught me to love and cherish every human soul. None of it, however, changes the fact that I am white. I will never go through some of the inherent struggles my dear friends face.

That is why we need to understand white privilege. I did not chose to be white, just as you didn’t chose your ethnicity. What we can chose, however, is to accept what each of our races inherited. We can chose to use the power of kindness and love to guide our decisions. We can stop allowing race to have power over other races.

I will admit I inherited white privilege, but instead of abusing that privilege, I will use it to protect, love and defend. As a teacher, I took that oath in my heart long ago. I was taught it by my parents as a child. I will not abuse my inheritance.

Hayley Titus Winslow, is a teacher, wife and mother of three who lives in St. George.