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In what has become the most popular area of DiversityInc.com, Luke Visconti offers readers the opportunity to confidentially ask questions regarding diversity. Luke is one of two business partners who own and run DiversityInc. He directs all editorial and circulation functions.

Question:
Why do you think white Americans ignore their "white privilege" that is a direct result of the history of slavery in this country? For example, I often hear whites comment, "I didn't own any slaves ... so why do I owe an apology/money/etc?" I just want to scream, "Yeah, but you ALL directly benefit from it."

Answer:

Most people do not think of "history" beyond their own experience. I would also say that my enlightenment has also led me to understand that the history I was taught was "whitewashed."

Although you're absolutely right about all white people benefiting from white privilege, most white people have never given it a thought.

Although there are bigots out there, the underpinnings of comments like "I didn't own any slaves" are almost always ignorance, not bigotry.

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