Chapter 1: The Fragile Ego of White Privilege

In our culture, the delicate nature of the white ego is wearing thin, and it’s high time for us, as white individuals, to strive for improvement.

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Scrolling through social media, particularly Twitter, reveals numerous instances of white fragility. It seems that middle-aged white individuals frequently exhibit acute privilege syndrome, and this trend must come to an end.

Recently, I came across an insightful piece by Shannon Ashley regarding Rebel Wilson's Instagram announcement about her relationship with a woman. You can find the article here. It was surprising to learn that Rebel felt compelled to disclose her same-sex relationship due to a newspaper reporter threatening to break the story first. The situation escalated when an opinion piece criticized her for taking control of her own narrative.

This scenario is utterly absurd. The journalist, a white male, seemed offended that Rebel had the audacity to share such a personal aspect of her life on her own terms. The publication then chose to support their journalist’s entitlement, raising questions about the evolving role of journalists in our society.

Daily, I witness middle-aged white men on Twitter objectifying women's posts that are clearly not intended to be sexual. When confronted, these men retaliate with comments like, “You women would be worthless without compliments from men.” A woman I follow recently shared pictures of her fashionable shoes, only to be met with a barrage of inappropriate sexual comments from white men eager to meet her, shoes included. Furthermore, I often see instances where men express anger because a woman they don’t know hasn’t responded to their advances for more personal interaction.

The phenomenon of white fragility extends beyond just men; we have all observed the infamous "Karen" videos circulating online. I can’t help but feel relieved that my mother didn’t choose that name for me. In my experience, people of color do not exhibit the same entitled behaviors as some of these older white women. The sheer volume of videos depicting older white women throwing tantrums led me to question whether they were staged.

Is it really possible that so many middle-aged white women believe their behavior is acceptable? When did it become normalized—and even amusing—to hold an entire flight hostage, forcing it to return to the terminal so security could remove a middle-aged white woman for refusing to wear a mask?

Last week, I encountered a disturbing clip of a young white man aggressively confronting an interracial couple on a walk. He was yelling and threatening them simply because he disapproved of interracial relationships. How has such behavior become commonplace in predominantly white communities?

Moreover, what cultural shift has empowered white men to feel entitled to dominate women? I have my theories but will allow you to draw your own conclusions.

This controlling attitude appears particularly prevalent among white men who profess to be followers of God. It seems increasingly on-brand for evangelical men to advocate for the restriction of women's rights under the guise of religious adherence. Meanwhile, many evangelical women willingly relinquish their rights, opinions, and agency to their husbands.

We exist in a society where white individuals are conditioned to believe we deserve everything and should never be inconvenienced—especially by people of color. We often feel compelled to proclaim “all lives matter” in response to Black Lives Matter protests, questioning why people of color cannot simply appreciate what they have. At times, I feel deep embarrassment about being white, particularly in light of the fragility displayed by the white ego.

I wish I had a solution for this pervasive issue. As white individuals, we must educate ourselves about the historical experiences of people of color in our nation. Understanding the legacy of slavery and its lasting impact on subsequent generations is crucial—an understanding that may elude us. It’s imperative that we consistently examine our privilege. For white evangelicals, it’s essential to remember that the Bible emphasizes caring for the marginalized above all else.

If this challenges you, know that I, too, am speaking to myself. There is so much I still need to learn.

Chapter 2: The Reality of Privilege

In this chapter, we delve deeper into the nature of privilege and its manifestations in society.

The first video titled "When Bad Things Happen to Privileged People: Marginalization and the Construction of Crisis" explores how privilege influences perceptions of crises and the reactions of those affected.

The second video, "What Is Privilege: Brené Brown On Staying Silent vs. Speaking Up," discusses the importance of acknowledging privilege and the moral imperative to speak out against injustice.