A small town in Connecticut is holding an essay contest for teens on "white privilege," with winners receiving up to $1,000.
The contest is sparking outrage, the Associated Press reported Wednesday, as residents of Westport, Conn., are questioning why the town's "diversity council" chose the topic.
In a press release announcing the contest, the town government said the competition for teenagers in the mostly white town will "foster understanding" on "white privilege," claiming it was a topic in the presidential election.
"As the nation faces historic social shifts relating to race and identity, young people will find themselves at the crossroads of a different America," the government said. "In order to increase awareness, foster understanding and promote understanding in this arena, TEAM Westport and The Westport Library are co-sponsoring the fourth annual Teen Diversity Essay Contest for students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 who attend Staples High School or another school in Westport, or reside in Westport and attend school elsewhere."
"TEAM" Westport stands for "Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism."
According to the town government, "The focus of this fourth essay contest is the issue of 'white privilege,' which surfaced as a topic during the recent presidential election." Hillary Clinton received more than twice the votes of Donald Trump in Westport during the election.
The essay topic reads as follows: "In 1,000 words or less, describe how you understand the term 'white privilege.' To what extent do you think this privilege exists? What impact do you think it has had in your life—whatever your racial or ethnic identity—and in our society more broadly?"
The town will select three winning essays, with prizes of $1,000, $750, and $500.
The goal of the "TEAM" committee is making Westport an increasingly "multicultural community."
"A primary focus and concern of our organization since its inception has been the impact of the town’s relatively low levels of racial and ethnic diversity on our children," said Harold Bailey, TEAM Westport’s chair. "This year’s essay topic provides our young people an opportunity to reflect upon that impact and make their personal statements about it in very meaningful ways."
The town has chosen political topics for the contest before. Last year's Westport essay contest focused on police shootings and race relations.
"In the past year a troubling number of highly charged and tragic incidents—from Ferguson to Charleston to Chicago—have prompted public discussions and protests on college campuses about the state of race relations in the U.S.," the 2016 application read. "People disagree on the nature of the problem and on the appropriate way to address divisions in our society. Potential entrants are then invited in 1,000 words or less to 'describe how you, personally, make sense of the events that have occurred.'"