Am I Privileged???

As a white middle class male living in America today I would have to say that I am privileged. I am privileged to be able to attend college, that my family is financially stable, that I have been raised in a good environment, but do I have white privilege? It might sound bad or wrong of me to say this but deep down I do feel that I do have some sort of white privilege. These are things that most of the time I take for granted unless I am made aware of my current situation, that happened to me today when watching "Pathology of Privilege" and listening to Tim Wise.

In listening to Wise and the multiple statistics he made when talking about what white privilege is I couldn't help but think back on my life and my experience when being white played in my favor. Now I just want to make clear that I do not feel that this is right, I do not feel I should be given the benefit of the doubt just because the color of my skin, but I cannot help but to think that at the end of the day in certain situations it did. If that is the case should I really be mad at myself or feel guilty? I really don't know how to answer that question to be honest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Xe1kX7Wsc

For example, today I went to best buy to look at phone cases, I walked in right behind a big African-American male looked to be about my age and possibly a football player judging by his huge stature and his OU apparel. The man at the door, who was a middle aged white male, who normally greets people by saying "Hi, welcome to best buy" did not say a word to the black male, however literally five seconds later he looks at me as I walk through the door and says "Hi, welcome to best buy can I help you with anything today." I actually smiled and laughed. I immediately thought of the video and couldn't help but to think to myself, "Wow, Wise is right." Now there could have been a thousand other reasons why the door greeter did not greet the black guy in front of me, but after today's lecture I could not help but think that it was a reason. With that being said, I do have white privilege rather I like it or not. It is just there and in many situations I will be seen in a different light based on the color of my skin. I guess I should be thankful, or consider myself lucky but I feel guilty in saying that, but should I be? Whatever the answer is I know that is some way shape or form I am privileged regardless of my skin and for that I am thankful and consider myself lucky.

http://trailerpark.blog.ca/2008/09/22/tim-wise-4763399/