We all have phrases we use without giving them much thought. But sometimes, the words we choose can reveal more than we intend, especially when it comes to deeply ingrained social issues like white privilege. Here are 18 sayings that often reflect white privilege.
“I Don’t See Colour”
While saying “I don’t see colour” might be intended to promote equality, it can actually be quite dismissive of people’s unique experiences—and according to Forbes, it’s one of the “least productive phrases” in anti-racism movements. Not seeing colour ignores the real and lived experiences of people of colour who face racism.
“Everyone Has the Same Opportunities”
“Everyone has the same opportunities” assumes a level playing field that simply doesn’t exist, and it overlooks the systemic barriers and discrimination that people of colour often face. While the intention might be to promote a merit-based society, it can come across as naive or insensitive to the real struggles of others.
“If You Work Hard, You Can Achieve Anything”
Saying that you can achieve anything if you work for it implies that success is purely a matter of effort, ignoring the unequal starting points and the additional hurdles some people face. While hard work is essential, it’s important to acknowledge that factors like race, socioeconomic background, and access to education significantly impact opportunities.
“I’m Not Racist, I Have Friends Who Are Black”
Having friends of different races doesn’t exempt someone from holding prejudiced views or benefiting from systemic racism. This phrase can be used to deflect criticism rather than engaging in a meaningful conversation about race and privilege, when someone with Black friends can still be racist.
“I Never Owned Slaves”
The statement of “I never owned slaves” tries to distance the speaker from historical injustices, but it ignores the ongoing impacts of slavery and racism that still affect society today. It’s important to understand that acknowledging past wrongs is a step towards addressing current inequalities.
“Why Is Everything About Race?”
For people of colour, race can be a pervasive issue that affects many aspects of their lives, so asking why everything has to be about race can come off as dismissive of their experiences. It’s crucial to listen and understand why race might be a frequent topic for some people.
“All Lives Matter”
Yes, all lives matter, but saying this as a counter argument to the Black Lives Matter movement is insensitive. It misses the point of the movement, which highlights the specific injustices faced by Black people. Saying “All Lives Matter” can undermine the specific struggles that the movement seeks to address.
“I’m Just Playing Devil’s Advocate”
The phrase “I’m just playing devil’s advocate” can be a way to excuse insensitive or harmful arguments, and while it’s fine to explore different perspectives, it’s important to be mindful of how certain topics can affect people personally. This especially counts for those who face discrimination.
“Everyone Is a Little Bit Racist”
By saying that everyone is a little bit racist, you’re normalising racism and minimising its impact. It can make it seem like racism is an unchangeable part of human nature rather than a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
“It’s Just a Joke”
Humour can often be used to mask racism, and when someone points out that a joke is offensive, dismissing their feelings by saying it’s just a joke can be hurtful and dismissive of their experience. It’s important to listen and consider why the joke might be problematic.
“My Ancestors Faced Hardships Too”
While it’s true that many groups have faced discrimination, saying that your non-Black ancestors faced troubles, too, downplays the unique and ongoing struggles of people of colour. It’s important to recognise that different groups face different challenges, and acknowledging this helps in understanding the broader context of racial inequality.
“I Don’t Get Why People Are So Sensitive”
Saying that you don’t understand why people are so sensitive is a surefire way to dismiss legitimate concerns about racism, and it can be a way to avoid engaging with the issues at hand. Sensitivity to issues of race is often a sign of empathy and awareness, not a weakness.
“I’m Colourblind”
If you’re claiming to be colourblind, it can mean ignoring the significant ways that race impacts people’s lives. While it might be meant to express a desire for equality, it can actually prevent meaningful discussions about race and the changes needed to address inequality.
“They Should Just Follow the Law”
The law and its enforcement can be biased against people of colour, therefore saying that they should “just follow the law” overlooks the fact that the legal system itself can be a source of racial injustice. And, as we know, following the law doesn’t always guarantee fair treatment.
“Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?”
While the sentiment of wishing all races could get along sounds positive, it can oversimplify the complexities of racial issues. It implies that racial tensions are simply due to a lack of effort on both sides, ignoring the systemic issues and power imbalances that contribute to inequality.
“I’m Tired of Talking About Race”
If, as a white person, you’re tired of talking about race, think about how people of colour feel—and saying this can be a way of shutting down important conversations. While discussions about race can be uncomfortable, they’re necessary for understanding and addressing the deep-seated issues of racism.
“They Must Be Doing Something Wrong”
When people of colour face negative interactions with law enforcement or other authorities, suggesting they must be at fault by saying “they must be doing something wrong” can be a form of victim-blaming. It ignores the possibility of systemic bias and places undue responsibility on individuals rather than recognising broader issues.
“I’m Not Privileged, I Worked Hard for Everything”
The phrase “I’m not privileged, I worked hard for everything” overlooks the ways in which privilege operates; white privilege doesn’t mean a person hasn’t worked hard, but it does mean they haven’t faced the same obstacles as people of colour. Acknowledging this doesn’t diminish personal achievements, it simply recognises the different experiences people have based on their race.