ABSTRACT
White privilege is not a new reality in the United States. It has been a part of United States history since the first European settlers claimed this inhabited land as their own. However, the concept and phrasing of White privilege has only gained significant ground in recent decades since the White population began allowing themselves to recognize and speak out against the very privilege that allowed them to remain blind and silent for so long. Since history has been written by the privileged, it favored the privileged and perpetuated inequality until people were willing to open themselves up and listen to perspectives other than what was comfortable to receive, which includes a long history within the field of psychology and its practitioners. Even as caregivers, the damaging consequences of unrealized and irresponsible use of privilege within research and in therapy rooms has created barriers of distrust, hopelessness, and missed opportunities for healing within individuals, communities, and as a profession. The bridges of awareness, vulnerability, and action are necessary and uncomfortable to build but are the price of responsibility within the privilege that is held.
