Summary

Chapter 3 introduces, defines and explains white privilege. Lodge describes white privilege to be “an absence of negative consequences of racism” (102). She briefly touches upon the history of white privilege, adding that Theodore W. Allen coined the term in the 1960s. Lodge goes on to explain how many people confuse the word “privilege” with luxury or wealth. In reality, white privilege does not mean that a white person has not struggled or faced poverty, but rather that their skin color has not been a cause for such struggles. Their skin color has actually benefited them positively throughout their life. This confusion is why talking to white people about race can be so difficult. Even if they are not racist, they need to confront that they have benefited from a racist society.

People also tend to confuse racism with the word prejudice. Lodge mentions that...