Emma grew up in a rural, all-white neighborhood where race was rarely discussed. While no overt racism occurred, diversity was not emphasized either. Through reflection, Emma realizes she benefited from white privilege in ways she was previously unaware. She now understands that others face daily challenges due to their race that she has never had to worry about due to her own white identity.

1. Emma Nelson
FYS- Blanco
Race Questions
1) My neighborhood was not racially diverse at all. I grew up out a dirt road in the
backwoods. Therefore, my neighborhood mainly consisted of white males.
2) Race was never really talked about as I was growing up. No one was ever “racist” or
talked bad about colored people, but it was never a huge issue of “be super nice so you
don’t seem racist”. I guess growing up I never really saw much racism, so it was never
something I thought about much,
3) Race has definitely shaped my life because I 100% believe white privilege is a thing. I
don’t think I could name the ways that privilege, along with the fact that I’m a girl, has
been beneficial for me. It’s a really weird feeling when you realize the thing you never
had to worry about, others have to on an every day basis.