That's right, you heard it. I can't empathize with black people.

And if you're reading this and you're white, you probably can't either.

Calm down. Take a deep breath, you probably are assuming my political viewpoints and you're probably thinking I'm attacking you. I'm not, I'm stating the simple truth.

Because I have white privilege, I can't have empathy towards black people, because empathy is defined as "the ability to understand and share feelings for one another." I can try to understand. I can listen all day long and watch documentaries on privilege, but I can never share your feelings because I've never had to know what it feels like.

If you're a white person and you're reading this, I want you to think with me for a moment with open ears and an open heart. I know what some of you may be think, as did I once: "All lives matter!" Yeah, they do. But sometimes we target certain groups, leaving them behind. And sometimes we forget that for all lives to matter, we have to individually recognize each race, appreciate their culture, eliminate stereotypes and reevaluate the way we treat them and each other. I know all lives matter and I am such a people person that believe me I'd save every person I could. But right now, I don't see hardly any unarmed white people being shot, as many white people being affected by socioeconomic status or the stereotypes of the few being put on the many white people.

Here's the thing: I love cops. I think they're absolutely incredible, and I give all of my respect to every cop fulfilling their duties with dignity and respect to everyone (ALL LIVES). But there are some that completely abused their title. And I hate that they've left a bad name for the good cops. So as I say those things, do not assume I hate cops, I'm a Democrat, I'm a silly millennial, or any of the other things you're thinking, because none of those things are true. Assuming, in this case, literally makes an ass out of America.

In case you have questions, I'd like to give you some examples of white privilege. If I speak properly when reading in class, nobody is surprised. But if my black friend speaks properly, people are confused because "he doesn't speak like a black person." White privilege is that my brother can walk into a store late at night in a hoodie without really being looked at, but a black guy in a hoodie seeming sketchy when he does the same thing, being closely watched on security cameras. White privilege is nobody ever telling me to get over slavery, because my ancestors were affected by it, not me. White privilege is calling Nicki Minaj "the black Lady Gaga" because she never was just her own person. She couldn't be different on her own, she had to be named after her race and a white celebrity. White privilege is knowing that if a white person misuses guns and shoots an elementary school, nobody will make jokes to me labeling all white people as terrorists, but knowing that if a black male misuses guns and shoots up somewhere, all black males will be labeled as potentially violent and not capable of owning a gun.

I can't empathize, because I've lived my life never having to understand. I feel that's why some fellow white people do not understand that privilege is even a thing, because we've never had to. We really tend to understand economic privilege, or the privilege of affording things, but have a hard time understanding racial privileges.

Now I know you also think "African American" is the appropriate term, but let's face it, many don't refer to them as African Americans in casual conversation, something I'm trying to approach this with. And another thing, people don't take the time to learn backgrounds. One of my closest friends is Afro-Caribbean, therefore not African American BUT still black and subject to stereotypes and everything else that I've discussed. So, black people, I can't empathize with you, because I can never ever share your feelings or understand them, therefore I can't discredit white privilege or your struggles because I've never experienced the other side. I can't empathize, but I can always listen. I can always do my best to treat you (and everyone ;) ) better than the world treated you. I can always recognize your culture and appreciate it, while also recognizing that you are just as much of a person as I am and from the inside you do look the same. I don't see you for your color, but I'll never forget about your color or your culture because that would be forgetting about it, similar to the idea of getting rid of Black History Month.

If you're reading this and thinking "white privilege is BS, and anyone can work hard and succeed," then just know that white privilege still exists whether you like that or not.A thing I've noticed and been guilty of previously is that we assume if it's not about us, it's against us. It's kind of like the concept of Black Lives Matter, because it's not about other races, people assume it's against them. It's not. It doesn't fault you for being a white person, and it also doesn't mean that all white people are hard-workers. You shouldn't feel attacked because you're white, and you shouldn't say "black people can be racist too" because it's so much more than some black people being racist towards some white people, or some white people being racist to some black people. You can not be racist and still have white privilege. The difference in the racism is that one group is racially discriminated against systemically while the other is not, and so much more. Join me in not oversimplifying a very important issue.

I know this article probably provoked some strong emotions from you. And if you don't agree with me, I want you to know that I still respect you anyway. We can't preach love if we don't know what that feels like. This is how I show love, I stand up for those who need it. And I love those who don't agree. And because I'm white, you probably won't assume all people write articles you don't agree with, just because I wrote it.