White Privilege: A Lesson for the Luxury Yachting Industry

This post is in response to a reader who wants me to stop “bashing” on the yachting industry. The yachting industry needs to be called out for their discriminatory hiring practices. In particular, people from Australia, New Zealand, Britian and South African enjoy vast benefits of employment in the yachting industry solely because of their cultural heritage and this is wrong.

Based on this reader’s sweeping racist claims, I have included a link to an essay by Dr. Peggy McIntosh called “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack”.  It is an essay used to raise awareness of racism within the white population.

As a white woman with British heritage I benefit from white privilege.  I am keenly aware of its existence because of my background, education, training and work experience. I will continue to be inclusive in my personal hiring practices even if that means working a little harder with crew or staff integration. I will try to be aware of my prejudices and white privilege when I make decisions and choices in life that impact others.

In response to Dr. McIntosh’s closing question in this essay “What will we do with such knowledge?”, I will continue to write about my experiences and those of others in the hopes of raising awareness that will bring positive change to the yachting industry.