As usual, Will ignores the role of white racism in the founding and continuing affecting the nation. That is the 1st white privilege. The southern colonies would never have joined the Revolution without the defense of race based slavery, which had rape as a profit center. We have never had equal protection under the law for all citizens. BTW, slavery was not based on race until white people decided that being white was better than being human. They made that choice for fun and profit. The racist system was set up so white folks didn't have to do anything to be white. All they had to do was not defend non-white people. How does white racism fit into " how to recognize and honor hierarchies of character and achievement"? White racism was one of the founding principles of the nation. The proof is in the original Constitution that the GOP loves so much. They made it clear that the nation was for the benefit of land owning white men 1st. The line for civil rights started behind them.