White.

"Identity blogging" as tiffany at blackfeminism calls it, is a very interesting phenomenon... I see this as a manifestation of standpoint feminism (the way you see the world depends on your socio-economic position within it).  So to contribute my part, here's why this blog is called "Lucky White Girl".  (I just like to do this every now and then.)  It was inspired by this post by brownfemipower over at Women of Color Blog, who says,

"I know that women of color *must* centralize their identities in their politics. We get attacked and violated *because* we are Chicana, Mexican, Indian, Asian, black, Iranian, Arab, etc.

And white people should do the same.  Because our tendency is to deracialize ourselves, NOT see or acknowledge our race and therefore forget the privileges that come with it.  We get jobs, admitted into universities, promotions, the benefit of the doubt etc. because we are white. 

That the why behind the "white girl" and why not just "Lucky Girl"?  "Lucky Girl" wouldn't make much sense.  It would say this is a blog about a person who just happens to be lucky.  That's not what I'm talking about here.  The luck is because of the white.

So why not just "White Girl" then?  Since the luck is connected with the white technically "Lucky White Girl" is redundant.  Well, just because I feel it's worth pointing out.

See, white is like the default setting, white people often don't say "white".  When we see someone walking down the street and he's a middle aged white guy, we don't say hey, look at that middle-aged white guy.  We say hey look at that guy.  If he was African-American, on the other hand, we probably say hey look at that black guy.  Sometimes I try to toss it up a bit.  "Hey!" I say, reading the newspaper over breakfast with friends, "white-on-white crime is really up this year!"  or "Watch out for roving bands of white guys in suits when you go downtown today."   It's funny but it also reminds white people I'm around to be aware of their race.

But it's still not enough just to be aware of one's race, even to be a white person who talks about race and whiteness.  "White Girl" doesn't say anything about the consequences (read: privileges) of being white.   I have earned none of this.  Which is a good lesson in grace and humility.  As well as racism.

 

Comments

[a nut]

But see, to put *white* and *lucky* together implies chance. You aren't given privilege, as a white person, on a whim, but instead as default (as you stated). We still live in a "White is Right" society unfortunately.

White people have what is called "false privilege." We have done nothing to deserve it, yet it is given to us freely.

I call myself white girl a lot. I've been criticized by 2 different people for doing it that way, too. (Both are white, 1 male, 1 female.) When I explained that it's my way of reminding me and others around me of my (our) place in society, they only kinda sorta got it. But then again, I've taken a lot of theory classes and just graduated from what is probably the most diverse University in Virginia with a bachelor's in Women's Studies, a minor in English.

However, I know what you mean about the "Look at that black guy" comment. For most white people it wouldn't happen with a white guy but for persons of color, they refer to us as white people all the time (which is fine because that's what I am). I use race with all or none pretty much. I actually try not to use color when describing a person especially when I can just point and say, "Check that guy/girl out over there." Ja know? In many cases, saying, "Check out that black guy over there" wouldn't work as there may just be 20 of 'em standing around chatting. Physical descriptors always work best in most any situation to begin with.

[barb]

Yeah, you're right. It's redundent, "lucky white girl" but I hope the post here clarifies. That's the intent anyway. Maybe I can refine it a bit. But not tonight.

[Dana]

I would have to disagree that being white makes you lucky. As a black person, and contrary to popular belief, the last thing most black people would ever want to be is white. I always wonder if white people believe that black people would prefer to be white, surely not. I guess the fact that the suntan industry is a billion dollar industry and that most white people are darker than me in the summertime sheds light on that.

[Chris]

I'm a white guy who has made a trip to Harlem in recent months. I found myself making comments like, look at that white guy walking down the street.

I'm also the same person that says look at the black guy walking down the street.

It's a bit melodramatic the way you break it down. It's simply a numbers game associated with the minority. It has nothing to do with knowing one's race, heritage, privilege.

[Justin]

"I'm a white guy who has made a trip to Harlem in recent months." - Chris

Amazing work, Chris, and here's your medal! ;)

Barb, here's kudos for recognizing that white folks should "identity blog" too.

Chris' post is exactly the kind of stubborn reductionism that enables racist practices to live on beyond consciousness. The white dude skulking around the neighborhood, smelling of coffee and blog juice, lives in a pretense; confronting racism, sexism, and econo-mism at every chance but only to dismiss his or her implication in isms at large.

I think the blogosphere in general skews white, and the structure of its memetics, trends and what-have-you skews white clad in limitless colors.

But the potential is huge. If humility went viral and acknowledging and confronting one's biases were to transcend its current vogue and become courteous practice -- well, then maybe the internet is going somewhere. Thanks for a provocative blog.

J