-Growing up as a white individual has definitely given me privilege that I cannot deny. It is difficult for me to talk about race, and it makes me a little bit uncomfortable. That is something I want to change, but I have a hard time being proud of being white. I think everyone should be proud of their culture no matter what. White privilege definitely goes unnoticed and I think that it is important to open our eyes to it and become aware of. The United States is supposed to be the land of the free and brave, but freedom has mainly been seen with white individuals. There has definitely been white entitlement during what has been going on in the world today as well.
Katelyn there are many things you can do to change how uncomfortable you are when talking about race, the most obvious would be to just talk about it. You have to try very hard to listen to listen, not listen to respond, not be defensive while listening, but just listen. Listen to the experiences of others, of how they are being treated and how it makes them feel. I think the more conversations you are apart of, the more information you learn or unlearn, the more comfortable you will become with talking about race.
You are right! I am definitely becoming more conscious and mindful and I am working to be a better ally and do a better job of just listening!