Me and White Supremacy

01If you're white, you need to own up to the fact that you're part of a system that favors you because of your skin color

Layla F. Saad's work dives deep into the concept of white privilege. She argues that those who benefit from this privilege have a role in maintaining the oppressive system of white supremacy. So, what's white privilege? It's the societal perks that white folks get just because of their skin color in a society that's racially biased. These perks can be in the form of money, social standing, or political power. For example, white folks are less likely to face police brutality, they often have better access to quality education, and they're more likely to land jobs. Saad points out that white folks, knowingly or unknowingly, play a part in the white supremacy system that gives them these perks. This can happen in many ways, like staying quiet when racial injustice happens, benefiting from practices that discriminate, or spreading harmful stereotypes about people of color. Saad encourages white folks to own up to their part in this system. This means recognizing their privilege, understanding how it adds to racial inequality, and actively working to break down the system of white supremacy. This isn't a sit-back-and-watch kind of process. It's an active one. It means learning about the history and current state of racism, listening to and boosting the voices of people of color, questioning your own biases and prejudices, and using your privilege to fight for racial justice. For instance, a white person could use their privilege to call out a racist remark made by a friend or family member, or to push for more diverse hiring at their job. They could also learn about the history of racism in their country, and look for books, movies, and other resources that focus on the experiences of people of color. Saad stresses that this isn't about feeling guilty or ashamed. It's about taking responsibility and taking action. It's about realizing that white supremacy isn't just a problem for people of color to handle, but a problem that white folks need to help fix. By doing this work, white folks can help make society more fair and just, and leave a positive mark for future generations. This is what Saad means by being a "good ancestor" - someone who uses their privilege to make positive change, instead of causing harm. In a nutshell, Saad's work challenges white folks to own up to their part in the system of white supremacy, and to actively work to break it down. This means recognizing their privilege, learning about racism, questioning their own biases, and using their privilege to fight for racial justice. By doing this, they can help make society more fair, and become "good ancestors" for future generations.