Watch: Recognizing white privilege

SANDUSKY — How often do you think about the color of your skin? If you're Black, it's probably every day, according to a local activist. In a break from the norm for "Between the Lines," managing editor Matt Westerhold, who is white, was interviewed about his thoughts on race and white privilege by Tondra Frisby, a Black woman and local activist. The pair are close friends. The interview is available at the Register's YouTube channel and at sanduskyregister.com. Frisby said she rarely sees Black people ask white people about race and privilege; it's usually the other way around. Both Frisby and Westerhold hope their discussion encourages other Black people to engage white people in similar discussions. "If the conversation is hard, it's probably one worth having," Frisby said. Frisby asked Westerhold about his exposure to racism growing up. Westerhold said that while no slurs or derogatory terms were spoken in his household, it's something he'd hear in the community at large. "I need you to articulate what (white privilege) means to you," Frisby asked Westerhold. "The simple answer is I'm not viewed as being a threat like a group of young Black men. If they walk into a jewelry store, or any store for that matter, they're going to be suspect," Westerhold said in reply. Westerhold and Frisby experienced something like that at a local business earlier this year. Before entering the business, Frisby predicted she would be asked to show her membership card. When the two entered, they did so at the same time as two other white people. Frisby said she was the only one out of the four stopped by an attendant and asked for her card. Frisby also described being "eyed" by a clerk at another local business. "My white privilege is, that's never happened to me," Westerhold added. "Those are the things we grow up with as Black Americans, at least in my experience," Frisby said. "I used to say, 'I might be oversensitive.' I used to say that a lot, but no more. Because I'm not oversensitive. It is what it is." Those incidents occurred before George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police in May, which was the tipping point that brought on protests and conversations on race and police brutality across the U.S. "We know police officers and we have great respect for so many police officers," Westerhold said. "Absolutely," Frisby said. "It's not Black against police, it's Black against police brutality and Black against racial injustice." The interview touched on other topics. Thinking about race Frisby: "In your day-to-day life, how often do you think about race and the color of your skin?" Westerhold: "I don't think about it much at all." Frisby: "Another privilege." How to make a positive change Frisby: "How can you turn your privilege into positive change with your voice and your resources as Matt Westerhold?" Westerhold: "I can have conversations like this." Frisby: "Bingo." Westerhold invited anyone who wants to engage in a discussion like his interview with Frisby to call him at 419-609-5866 or email him at mattwesterhold@sanduskyregister.com.