The privilege of whiteness 
Is never having to think about
The colour of my skin

Never having to walk down the street
With my sleeves pulled down over my hands
To stop the names
The stares
The spit 
Of those that pass

The privilege of whiteness
Is never having to worry
That my son will be stopped
For no reason 
Keep his mouth shut
But not too shut
Comply
Or potentially die

The privilege of whiteness 
Is never having to wonder
Whether the job I wanted
Never came 
Because of my name 
My history
Because of who I am
The discomfort of others
The awkward glances
The ‘race card’

The privilege of whiteness
Is the right to be offended
Upset
Angry
If that privilege is questioned
Or even mentioned

The right to be offended that the hurt and pain of others 
The insults
The racism 
The violence
Could be more important than the gravestone of a dog called ‘Nigger’

The privilege of whiteness 
Is knowing that I can walk through a border 
More easily than a woman from the country next door
Wave my passport
Show my face 
Smile
And it’s enough
Because the privilege of whiteness will protect me 
Keep me safe

The privilege of whiteness 
Is the refusal to see it 
Acknowledge it
Hear it
See it
Check it
To deny the reality of others
Even when that reality means
Blood
And sweat 
And tears

To dismiss those who fight the injustices 
As snowflakes
Fake news
Political correctness gone mad

The privilege of whiteness 
Follows me 
Wherever I go
A blanket of security
Self knowing
Self worth

The privilege of whiteness 
Is never having to think about
The colour of my skin

Wordsmith: Heaven Crawley

Designer maker: Heaven Crawley

Photographer: Heaven Crawley