Interviews with Artists and Activists on White Privilege: Cory Stowers

I recently conducted a series of interviews with several people who are white/read as white about what white privilege means to them in their work to end racism and oppression. Following the killing of Mike Brown, I realized to my great disappointment that a number of white folks on social media became extremely agitated and angry at the very invocation of this phrase. Conceptually, though, I think it is critical to understand and engage if we are indeed to move towards a most just and fair world. I am humbled and grateful to the people who participated in this conversation for their honesty in talking about what white privilege means to them, and I hope this collection of voices serves to spark dialogue and ignite change.

It must and can never be only people of color who are charged with the work of dismantling white supremacy and racial injustice. I feel these conversations are critical for white people to have with each other if we are to move forward as a society. Thanks for taking time to read.

(This is the sixth interview in the series. Check out the previous ones with Chris Crass, Melissa A. Fabello, Kelly Johnson, Sean Mahan, and Petra Zeh Paredez.)

Cory Stowers

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Cory L. Stowers, I am originally from Hyattsville, MD and now located in Washington, DC. For the past 20-years I have been involved in arts activism and education, through my connections to DC’s graffiti and music cultures. My work consists of instructional classes, mural installations, academic writings and organizing social actions that reflect the core values of Hip-Hop culture. 

2. Where and when did you first hear the term white privilege?

The first time I heard the term white privilege I was 14-years old and in my 9^th grade English Lit class. My teacher, Patrick McCaan (a white 30-something) was leading a discussion that would eventually conclude with us listening and reviewing Ice Cube’s “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted”, which had recently been released and was gaining acclaim for its reality based subject matter and its socio-political critique.

In the discussion Mr. McCaan, outlined some of the major issues effecting social equality in the US, white privilege was at the top of his list.

What were some of your initial thoughts about it?

As one of two white students in a class of thirty-five, my initial thoughts were defensive, I argued the point that not all white people were rich or held positions of influence and power, there was no “white card” to pull out and present to cash in on my “whiteness”, that white people too deal with the economic and social issues that effect our community (i.e. drug and alcohol abuse, sexism, classism). In that conversation my points were argued, defended and acknowledged. But at the end of the conversation, Mr. McCaan urged me to look beyond my own view and experience to see the overarching effects of racism and its contemporary forms in the country.

3. How and when do you use the phrase in your own life and activism?

Truthfully, I have never found need to use the term within my work. I have found with-in the context of being an educator that the term has stayed present in conversations relating to social justice and equality.

However, I have never had to be asked to “check my privilege”.

4. Have you experienced pushback on the phrase from other white people? How do you respond?

I have experienced pushback from other white people in acknowledging the existence of white privilege. Most of them argue the same points I did when I was in that 9^th grade English class. Mind you many would consider themselves progressives and understanding of the effects of racism in our country, yet deny the root cause is the purveyance of white privilege.

The truth of the matter is if you are conscious enough to over stand that the problem of racism still exists in this country, then you are equally capable of understanding its cause.

5. Why do you feel it’s a vital phrase to use?

I think the need for the phrase is dire, it’s a loaded comment to say the least, because it will bring out the true feelings of anyone who utters it, there fore putting any conversation its brought into the context of a teachable moment. For some that may be an opportunity to broaden their thoughts on the subject and perhaps for others a narrowing of the idea, ultimately my hope would be that any conversation I am involved with that includes the topic of white privilege ends with the participants having the appropriate scope through which to view the issue.