General Discussion

record expungement for all those who have convictions on the record for marijuana.

You bet.

But even if we did that, we white people, especially white men, still enjoy 'white privilege.' It isn't something we earned, or are even aware of most of the time. I mean, we have to work hard and have all kinds of problems just like everyone else. But...

I won't ever have to worry about getting shot if a cop stops me for a taillight being out.

I didn't ever have to have the 'escalation of force' conversation with my children about how to keep from giving racist cops the excuse to shoot them.

I don't get pulled over when I drive my decent car through a nice neighborhood.

I don't get harassed when I'm walking through a nice neighborhood.

I don't have clerks follow me around in stores to keep me from stealing stuff.

I don't have clerks ignore me in stores and provide service to people who have lighter skin pigment.

When I talk to a banker or other finance person, they don't withhold the best deals on interest because of my skin color.

When I talk to a realtor, they don't consciously or unconsciously try and steer me away from certain neighborhoods because 'I wouldn't feel comfortable there.'

White privilege. We need to be aware of it first, then we need to fight it whenever and however we can.

I think sometimes that white people who resist the very idea of white privilege do so out of fear. But here is a golden truth: WE WILL NOT LOSE A THING IF THE SAME PRIVILEGES WE ENJOY ARE EXTENDED TO PEOPLE OF COLOR - we won't. Not at all, and what we will all gain is the promise of this country, that all people are created equal and should enjoy the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Or, as MLK said, a country where we are judged by the content of our character instead of the color of our skin.