In reflecting on the first papers that we were assigned, I came across the tried and true "Invisible Backpack". I have strong feelings about this and the ideas it contains. As a young, white man I don't believe that I have gone through life intentionally setting myself up to be in situations described in this paper. It is not my fault, nor is it my intention, that many of the people in my neighborhood are white or that many of my friends are white.
In a way, this article almost makes it seem as though I should be to blame for the "privilege" that I have been afforded. Articles like this, while pointing out how unfair situations can be for minorities, paints an unfair picture. Frankly, I don't care whether I turn the TV on and see white people, black people, brown people, purple people, whatever!
Working at a school that is at least 90% Latino/Hispanic, arguments such as the ones made in the paper put me at a distinct disadvantage when a new crop of students comes into my classroom at the beginning of September. "Yeah, but you're white" is not something that I enjoy hearing. I have to prove not only that I am a capable teacher, but that I am "cool for a white person" as one student put it.
That being said, I do not believe that any other race has it "easier". My situation does not exist solely because I am white. My identity does not rest on the fact that I am white. I put myself into situations all the time where I am not in the racial majority. But in doing so, I see some of the things that Omi and Winant bring up.
Racism is not a "whites only" club. When I show up to Latin night at a club, I can be sure that eyes will be on me (not just because I am looking particularly good that night). When I go into a Korean restaurant, I know that I will get funny looks as one of the only white people there. I think it is also important to note that there are many situations where I am in the minority and yet, nothing adverse is going on. I am treated no differently than everyone else there.
All of that being said, I do not believe that racism is dead just because I myself am accepting of others. I know that it still exists and that "white" privilege, whether intentional or not, still exists. It is just reconciling the fact that often times we have to prove that we aren't "white devils" just as much as other races may feel the need to prove that they do not fall under the umbrella of stereotypes.
