Hi, I'm Jamila and I'm white

In my experience, being called White has always been negative. We're the ones with the power- whether we want it or not. Maybe my experience is skewed, but before a few weeks ago, I had never been called white in a way that feels good. White people have no rhythm, can't dance, and lack swag. I can't even tell you how many times I have hoped to pass as a Hispanic or Arab in various contexts, whether or not that hope was realistic.

A few weeks ago, I got an email from an acquaintance who began his email this way: "My White, Spanish-speaking, Warm-hearted, sierva de Dios!"

It was the first time being called White felt like a compliment, like a validation of who I am, a recognition of the identity that I often try to forget or disown. I thought about it more and realized that there are two reasons this felt like a compliment-

1. It came in a string of other compliments.

2. There is a close connection between being white and speaking Spanish- almost like 'you're white,but you care about us and you know our language.' It acknowledged me as a bridge-builder.

This email was really crucial in changing the way I have been thinking about my own identity recently. Yes, I am white, but I also speak Spanish and love city kids. Sometimes it's hard for me to value my whiteness, because it serves as a barrier to the people i want to connect to most- minorities. I want to stand with them and understand their struggles. For a long time I have unconsciously believed that I cannot do that without denying my identity as a white person. Last week in New York City, however, made me understand my privilege in a new way. Being white is something we should use to bring justice- as Paul of the New Testament used his Roman citizenship. We saw how the coordinators of JUMP established relationships in the community, breaking down stereotypes of white people. One of my teammates made a comment about how when we went to the girls detention center, we were a bunch of white people who CARED when the girls' own families did not bother to visit them.

So I do not need to try to be culturally relevant by trying to 'act black' or pretend to be someone I'm not. I simply need to be a white person who truly cares and wants to understand. And that will break down the stereotypes and barriers. God made me white for a reason. But with great privilege comes great responsibility.