‘White Privilege’ Essay Contest Ruffles Some Feathers in Connecticut Town

White privilege in Westport? Say it isn't so!

Fox 61 News has reported that Westport's diversity council is sponsoring a contest asking students to describe the impact white privilege has had on their lives. For those who don't know what "white privilege" means, the definition according to Wikipedia is:

Societal privileges that benefit people identified as white in western countries, beyond what is commonly experienced by non-white people under the same social, political, or economic circumstances.

The diversity council, TEAM Westport, is surprised about all the controversy. TEAM stands for "Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism." The members of this organization are trying to achieve and celebrate a more welcoming multicultural community, but some say the essay contest is suggesting that race plays into the good life enjoyed by those in Westport.

Can't we all just calm down?! The following are the guidelines given by TEAM Westport to students who would like to participate in the contest. Let me know if YOU think these instructions are racist.

In 1,000 words or less, describe how you understand the term, 'white privilege.' To what extent do you think this privilege exists? What impact do you think it has had on your life -- whatever your racial or ethnic identity -- and in our society more broadly?

The United States is a melting pot of cultures from all over the world, consisting of different colors, nationalities, religions, customs, and ethnicities. All the town of Westport is trying to do is to help their children become familiar and understand the broad diversity of people that make up our great nation. This isn't racism, this is reality.