A 21-year-old chemical-engineering student asks a question. DiversityInc CEO Luke Visconti has an answer.

A reader asks: “Does it make me a troublemaker if I point out that promotions are going to lesser-qualified white people?”

The White Guy says that while some white people dislike the concept of white privilege, it is possible to use white privilege to open doors for others for the greater good.

Question: So in order for someone to be racist, they must be a minority in the entire country? What about places where blacks predominate like Detroit and D.C. where they hold the political power?

Question: A situation I have always wondered about is the preponderance of companies that have instituted work-force diversity programs and the conflict of “true work-force diversity” with white privilege. As the “White Guy,” tell me your thoughts about this conflict and how the White Guy feels about this.

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.”

Question: Since you are aware of your white privilege, how has your walk in life changed? When you are in situations where it is clear that your whiteness has availed you a benefit, do you do anything differently?

Question: It appears that you are familiar with the ways that racism, white privilege and institutionalized oppression play out in the wide world. Do you think that if you were a person of color you would be getting the type of airspace, publicity that you are getting now? How will you utilize your power and position for good, to eliminate bias and allow the voices of the oppressed and people of color be validated and heard by the larger white masses?