Curious about white privilege, but dont know where to begin? Here are a few good places to start:

Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
Understanding the concept of privilege can be a journey, and it’s often easier to see how disadvantages affect others than to recognize the unearned advantages we might have. This article, “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” offers a thoughtful perspective on how societal structures can inadvertently provide certain benefits to white individuals, often without conscious awareness. It’s not about individual blame, but rather about recognizing the systemic advantages that can exist. If you’re interested in exploring this idea further and gaining a deeper understanding of the nuances involved, this article can be a helpful place to start. It shares a personal reflection and offers a framework for considering these dynamics in our society.

My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem
My Grandmother’s Hands explores how racial trauma is held in our bodies across generations, affecting both white individuals and people of color. For white individuals exploring privilege, this book offers a unique perspective: it suggests that white bodies, too, carry the trauma of racial dynamics, even unconsciously. Rather than focusing solely on intellectual understanding, it emphasizes the importance of noticing our bodies’ responses as a way to heal and bridge racial divides. The book provides practical exercises for somatic awareness and moving towards reconciliation. If you’re interested in a deeper, embodied understanding of race and healing, this book is a valuable resource.

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
White Fragility explores the discomfort and defensiveness that white people often experience when their ideas about race are challenged. This response, termed “white fragility,” can manifest as anger, fear, guilt, or withdrawal, and it can make it difficult to have open and honest conversations about racism. For white individuals beginning to understand privilege, this book can offer valuable insights into these common reactions. It helps explain why these conversations can be challenging and provides a framework for recognizing and navigating these feelings in oneself and others. If you’re looking to better understand the dynamics that can arise when discussing race and privilege, and how to engage more constructively, White Fragility can be a very helpful resource.