I h ave walked through the world in white skin and I have become increasingly aware of the ways in which my life has been easier as a result. As a school counselor, I have had many conversations with students of color about what they are experiencing in the classroom, often under the radar and it is unfair and heartbreaking. As a woman, I have experienced some sexism: being talked over by men, being seen as less effective than men, sexist comments, so I have a slight inkling of my students experience, but my whiteness has always given me a leg up.
I, too, walk through this world with white skin (though my father was a Middle Eastern immigrant). Sending children out into the world is scarey enough, but to be afraid for them because you know that they will likely experience the same covert and overt discrimination and negativity from others is heartbreaking. Bless those parents who give their children the tools of self-esteem and dignity to have the courage to move forward, regardless of the small-mindedness and fear-based thinking of others.
Thank you for bringing up your experience of sexism. I find that for some women who are experiencing difficulty understanding or acknowledging the existence of white privilege and/or racism, it can be helpful to bring up the idea of sexism - I think most women still find themselves experiencing or witnessing at one point or another sexism, and it seems to be a generally more accepted reality (unfortunately!)
Connecting the dots... Yes, most women have experienced some kind of discrimination or dismissive behavior based solely on gender, and women comprise 49.6 % of the world's population.