It’s unfortunate, but many white Americans are treated quite differently from people of other backgrounds. Whether for good or for bad, there are many experiences that white people usually don’t have to think about simply because of the color of their skin. Let’s take a look at 18 of them. We’re not here to judge or point fingers; these are just some observations.
Hair Care
People with curlier hair usually have to work a lot harder to find products that work for them, unlike white people. Most white Americans can pick up any shampoo or conditioner without thinking about it because it will naturally just work for them. People of color usually have to visit specialty stores just to find something that’ll find their hair’s texture.
Professional Hairstyles
Similarly, many white employees can choose their hairstyle without second thoughts about workplace policies. Unfortunately, some people of color have to be a little more careful in case their natural hair comes across as “unprofessional.” This standard can completely change how people see them at work and even their job opportunities.
Seeing Yourself on Screen
While diversity is improving, there are still some shows and movies that rarely feature people of color. Many white Americans are used to seeing themselves in almost every type of media, whether that’s a blockbuster movie or a TV show. Things are getting better, but some people of color still have to look harder to find characters and stories that are like theirs.
Police Encounters
Most of the time, for white people, getting pulled over is just a little annoying. But for people of color, a simple traffic stop can have deadly consequences, and the statistics show this. They must be extra careful about every move they make and come across as non-threatening as possible to avoid being misunderstood.
Matching Makeup
Finding a foundation shade that matches your skin tone is usually quite easy for many people. Sadly, it’s a real hassle for those with darker skin because shades are limited and don’t always match darker skin tones. There are some brands out there catering specifically to darker skin colors, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.
Picking Baby Names
We all know that naming your kid is a big deal, but it’s a whole different kettle of fish for white people. They might just choose something that sounds nice or has a certain meaning to it. But for parents of color, they’ve got to work a little harder and think about other factors. For example, is it a stereotypical name for someone of that race? Are they going to face prejudice because of it?
Choosing Where to Live
Many white people can just choose a neighborhood to live in because they like the house or it’s close to work. They don’t usually have to worry if their race will make them stand out or cause issues in the community. For people of color, these issues can completely change where they feel safe to live.
Fair Loan Access
Even the process of getting the funds to buy a new home is different for white people and people of color. It’s usually much more straightforward for white applicants to get a loan, while people of color must jump through more hoops with lenders. They might get less favorable terms or even outright denials based on nothing but bias.
Learning History
Most of the time, history and literature classes focus on white figures, and many students of color find that their histories don’t get as much attention in their school curriculum. Even worse, sometimes, these stories get twisted or ignored. It can leave these people feeling like their heritage simply doesn’t matter.
Protesting Peacefully
Lots of people take to the streets to stand up for what they believe in, although the consequences are very different for white people and people of color. For white people, it’s usually just democracy in action, but people of color are often scared they’ll be labeled “troublemakers” and face harsher treatment. This makes protesting quite a challenging decision.
Job Applications and Names
Applying for a new job without a second thought about your name is a privilege many white job seekers don’t have. Unfortunately, many people of color worry that a name that sounds too ethnic doesn’t go along well with some hiring managers. They’re already on unequal footing before they can even get a foot in the door.
Explaining Your Food
Eating lunch at work should just mean grabbing whatever you want, and that’s true for white people. But for some people of color, they might have to answer questions about their “exotic” food or deal with people being overly curious about what they’re eating. Most white people can eat their sandwiches without anyone trying to make it a teachable moment.
Tracing Your Roots
Learning about your ancestry can be quite interesting, and it’s not that difficult for many white people. Sadly, for descendants of slaves, broken records and missing information mean that tracing your lineage is a lot harder. After all, if there are no records that your ancestors left, how will you find clues about your history?
True Origins
Although it’s not always meant to be offensive, being constantly asked, “Where are you really from?” does get tiring. In America, we assume most white people are “from here,” but we’ll ask many people of color about their citizenship. They’re unfortunately almost always seen as being outsiders.
Naturally Included
In most situations, white people will just walk into a room and feel like they belong. It’s an everyday part of life that most of them never have to think about. But people of color don’t always have this luxury, as they have to make their behavior fit norms that often default to white expectations.
Stereotypes at Work
We’ve all had those awkward moments at work where someone makes a joke that leaves everyone on edge. For many people of color, these “jokes” usually support stereotypes of cultural misunderstandings about them. Most of the time, many white people don’t have to worry about being the punchline because of their race.
Bandages and Band-Aids
You might not realize it, but most bandages are designed to blend in with lighter skin, so many white people don’t have to think twice about getting one. In the past, many people of color just had to make do with the ones that stood out on their skin. But this has begun to change over the last few years, and you can find band-aids in all shades of skin tones now.
Shadowed in the Stores
Being followed around in the store is a daily reality for many people of color. Many white people can browse through the aisles without a second glance. Still, people of color get “special attention,” and store employees follow them around. Soon enough, what should be a simple shopping trip is a stressful experience.
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