Hillary Confronted: What Does ‘White Privilege Mean to You?’

At a candidate forum last night hosted by Jorge Ramos, Hillary Clinton was asked about her own “white privilege.”

“White privilege is a term that more people are talking openly about these days. Certainly, people like me have long understood what it means,” said the questioner. “Secretary Clinton, can you tell us what the term white privilege means to you? And can you give me an example, from your life or career, when have benefited from it?”

The audience applauded.

Clinton threw her hands up. “Look, where do I start? I think it is hard when you’re swimming in the ocean to know exactly what’s happening around you, so much as it is when you’re standing on the shore perhaps watching.”

Clinton continued, “For me, look, I was born white, middle class, in the middle of America. I went to good public schools, I had a very strong supportive family, I had a lot of great experiences growing up. I went to a wonderful college, I went to law school. I never really knew what was or wasn’t part of the privilege, I just knew that I was a lucky person. And that being lucky in part related to who I am, where I’m from, and the opportunities I had.”

Clinton said she first realized her white privilege when she was 11 years old.