Amazon Top 100, Nook TOP 100 and USAToday Bestselling Author.

From BLACK DAYS: As I sit down to write this introduction, I am acutely aware of the privileges that my identity as a White person have afforded me throughout my life. This recognition requires not merely an acknowledgment of surface-level advantages but a deeper understanding of the systemic benefits that come with being part of a majority group in a society structured around racial hierarchies. 

My understanding is far from complete. But I continue to expand the depth of my appreciation for this profound advantage in life that my society has granted to me at the great expense of others.

Privilege, particularly White privilege, is an unearned advantage based on race. It manifests in various forms, from subtle social cues to overt systemic biases. As a White person, I have had the luxury of viewing my race as a non-issue in most areas of my life. 

I have experienced my White privilege as “normal” life—everything being as expected. I have not had to grapple with the negative stereotypes or prejudices that people of color face daily. This lack of racial burden is a significant form of privilege. Living in racism is a burden in and of itself—a stress that is ever-present and ubiquitous.

Growing up, I rarely questioned why the heroes in my textbooks, the protagonists in the novels I read, and the leaders celebrated in my history classes were overwhelmingly White. This representation assured me, consciously or not, that people who looked like me were inherently successful, intelligent and powerful. I never doubted that I could aspire to these heights because I saw myself reflected in these narratives.

When I walked into a store, I was never followed or scrutinized by staff suspicious of my intentions. When I applied for jobs, I never worried that my name or ethnicity might lead to my resume being discarded before I had a chance to prove my capabilities. When I expressed my opinions passionately, I was rarely dismissed as "angry" or "aggressive." These everyday experiences are privileges I took for granted for much of my life.

Beyond daily interactions, systemic advantages play a crucial role in perpetuating the White privilege from which I benefit. Educational institutions, workplaces and legal systems often operate in ways that benefit White people, intentionally or otherwise. For example, predominantly White neighborhoods frequently receive better funding for schools, leading to a cycle of educational and economic advantages/disadvantages that are difficult to break. In the workplace, networks and mentorship opportunities are often more accessible to those who share racial or cultural backgrounds with existing leadership—people like me—perpetuating a cycle of White dominance.

Recognizing my entitlement as a White person comes with the responsibility to act. It is not enough to acknowledge these privileges; I must use these advantages to advocate for change. This means listening to and amplifying the voices of people of color, educating myself on the history and ongoing realities of racial injustice and challenging the systems and behaviors that perpetuate inequality.

I invite you to join me on this journey by reading my book, BLACK DAYS: Riots and Racism in the U.S. But be ready to experience uncomfortable self-reflection and an unwillingness to confront your own biases and . . . your complicity in systemic racism. Our active participation is required in dismantling the structures that benefit us unfairly. It is about moving beyond guilt or defensiveness and towards meaningful action and allyship.

True equity among races will not be achieved until the privileges I enjoy are accessible to everyone, regardless of race. This result necessitates not only policy changes and institutional reform but also a shift in societal attitudes and values. It requires a collective effort to create a world where one’s opportunities and rights are not determined by skin color.

In conclusion, acknowledging my status as an entitled White person is a crucial step towards understanding and addressing racial inequality. It is a call to action to use my privilege in the service of justice and equality. By doing so, I hope to contribute to a society where privilege is no longer tied to race, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Writing BLACK DAYS is my most recent attempt to exercise my White privilege for change.