Final answer:
White privilege is the range of social advantages that individuals who are categorized as white typically enjoy in various societal aspects due to institutional racism. It is often unrecognized by those who benefit from it and contributes to systemic inequality and discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The myriad of social advantages, benefits, and courtesies that come with being a member of the dominant race is known as white privilege. White privilege entails a series of unearned benefits that individuals who are socially categorized as white experience over non-white people in the same societal, political, and economic environments. This concept is tied to the existence of institutional racism where these privileges are embedded within societal norms and structures, giving advantages to the dominant group. Peggy McIntosh, a pioneering thinker on the topic, has indicated the subtlety of these benefits, noting that privilege often goes unrecognized by those who benefit from it.
Understanding white privilege involves recognizing how race as a social construct can lead to disparities in treatment and opportunities. It is a part of a broader context that includes stereotypes, systemic inequality, and discrimination that can manifest as better access to education, employment, legal fairness, and social recognition for members of the dominant racial group. Acknowledging these benefits is a step towards addressing the inequalities that are perpetuated in our institutions and social interactions, which are critical to moving towards a more equitable society