As a white woman, I 100% have white privilege. I grew up in a nearly all-white community, my schools had fewer non-white teachers than I can count on one hand, and although I didn't grow up in a rich family, I never felt poor. I was privileged to have parents who have been married almost 40 years and who not only had the foresight but also the means to save money for my college. I have never felt ashamed to celebrate my heritage, which is a mix of European cultures, although I have felt embarrassed by my central-European maiden name, which was nearly always un-pronounceable for my friends and teachers. I have experienced "reverse racism" when my southern, black, female college roommate told me that she hated white people. I have a much better understanding now of why she would say that. I have also experienced being treated like a princess when traveling overseas to non-white cultures, because of my fair skin and light hair; on the flip side, I have been run out of restaurants and cafes for the same reasons.
I was struck by the Native American speakers who were also black, particularly the woman whose grandfather hides in shame whenever her Tribe friends and family would visit. Or the idea that Native Americans of lower percentage would be considered "less than" by other Native Americans. To be persecuted and oppressed by systemic racism, and then on top of that to be further oppressed by others with whom you identify must be absolutely stifling and confusing. To tie it back to the blue eyes/brown eyes experiment, it's clear that simply experiencing bias is not enough to deter a person from committing bias.
