Post Regarding White Privilege

In regard to our class conversation today, wrapping up our discussion on White Privilege- I had some thoughts about how to think about white dominance.
I know that there were several people in the class who were rather uncomfortable or upset about the acknowledgement of white privilege and what that means. Like anything, realizing something is other than what you initially believed it to be, is a trying and maybe even earth-shattering experience.
For those people in class who are just now confronting their privileges as a white people for the first time, it should not be taken as offensive or as a undue racist label, but as an opportunity to change the society in which we all live and to change one's own life. I think learning to reevaluate the world, specifically our country, through a lens of racial justice helps those of us who dominate, be more appreciative of what we have not earned, and see the necessity of allowing others all of the human rights which we claim for ourselves. Challenging one's paradigm and reality needs to happen everyday; it is easy to fall back into line in our society while others bear the weight of inequity.
So, rather than be upset for too long, I think it is a rare opportunity to change one's ideals, reality, as well as the world around us and make room for our fellow people who have too long been ignored.
It is not racist or hateful to be unaware. However, once an alternative narrative or reality has been told, not acting or not listening is the same as compliance with the institutions of dominance that exist.