The headline above was the greeting I got exiting a store on a busy street in downtown San Francisco earlier this summer. It was late morning, sunny day, and there were lots of people around.

My teenage son and I were heading to our car and the person asking the question was holding a sign. We were caught up in the flow of people so fast I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 get a chance to read the sign or even much of a look at the fellow.

Further down the street, I asked my son if he heard what that guy said to me. He didnSA国际影视传媒檛 hear it, asking me what I said back. I told him I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 say anything, just smiled at the fellow. SA国际影视传媒淲hySA国际影视传媒檇 you do that?SA国际影视传媒� he asked, disapprovingly. Why indeedSA国际影视传媒�

I thought about that encounter the rest of our stay, and my answer, concluding that my smile was the most honest one. Fact is, I do enjoy white privilege. Even if I said I donSA国际影视传媒檛 like it, I have unquestionably enjoyed the benefits of it, as did my parents and grandparents, etc, etc. But three of my children born of a Chipewyan mother donSA国际影视传媒檛 to the same extent.

What is white privilege? There are billions of people who could give a more credible answer than I. To those people who enjoy it, I would say white privilege is never being hassled, watched, doubted or accused because of the color of your skin. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 sitting down for job interviews worried only about giving the right answers to people who speak your language and look like you. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 about having an equal chance at opportunity. Ultimately, white privilege is about never having to worry that you donSA国际影视传媒檛 have it. For some people who enjoy it, white privilege simply doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 exist. Some get angry at the suggestion it does.

Generally speaking, as a publisher, I ask our columnists to localize their opinions. My answer to that instruction is that white privilege exists in the North. People, especially in Yellowknife, experience it every day. Few speak of it because itSA国际影视传媒檚 rooted in our shared history, our laws, our economy. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 like the air that we breathe - itSA国际影视传媒檚 everywhere yet rarely called out.

As for the fellow asking me the question on those streets, he will never know but his activism that day crossed borders, 3,700 km North, strong stuff. He wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 threatening, wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 aggressive. He was asking to make a point. He didnSA国际影视传媒檛 make me feel guilty, didnSA国际影视传媒檛 inspire me to change what I am. He made me think and come to my own conclusion.

We are a long way from white privilege disappearing, both in Yellowknife and around the world. But we are closer because people are not afraid to stand on the street and demand change.