I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed.

When I am told about our national heritage or about “civilization,” I am shown that people of my color made it what it is

I can be sure that my children will be given curricular materials that testify to the existence of their race, ethnicity, culture.

I can go into a music shop and count on finding the music of my race represented, into a supermarket and find the staple foods that fit with my cultural traditions, into a hairdresser’s shop and find someone who can cut my hair.

Whether I use checks, credit cards or cash, I can count on my skin color not to work against the appearance of financial reliability.

I can arrange to protect my children most of the time from people who might not like them.

I can swear, or dress in second-hand clothes, or not answer letters, without having people attribute these choices to the bad morals, the poverty, or the illiteracy of my race.

I can speak in public to a powerful male group without putting my race on trial.

I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my race.

I can criticize our government and talk about how much I fear its policies and behavior without being seen as a cultural outsider.

I can be pretty sure that if I ask to talk to “the person in charge,” I will be facing a person of my race/ethnicity/gender.

If a traffic cop pulls me over or if the IRS audits my tax return, I can be sure I haven’t been singled out because of my race.

I can take a job with an affirmative action employer without having co-workers on the job suspect that I got it because of race.

I can choose public accommodations without fearing that people of my race or sexual orientation cannot get in or will be mistreated in the places I have chosen

I can be sure that if I need legal or medical help, my race will not work against me.

I can choose blemish cover or bandages in “flesh” color and have them more less match my skin.