A week and a half ago, Main Street in Victor was lined with Black Lives Matter protesters. When Spectrum News reported on it, we quoted organizers of the event by saying it was being held in what they believe is the most white privileged community beyond Monroe County.

Residents took exception to that, including Victor's mayor.

"Again, I don’t know any law that says I am privileged because I’m white," said Mayor Gary Hadden. "And I certainly don’t know of in this community anyone who has shown me any special favor because I’m white."

And Hadden believes more can be accomplished in this moment if those two words are separated.

"I think we need to remove the word privilege from the conversation when it comes to race," he said. "What matters to me is how you treat me and how I treat you."

White privilege refers to the privilege in society that benefits white people over people of other backgrounds.

Jen Arena lives in Victor and was one of the organizers of the rally.

"Being depicted as white privileged should open peoples eyes to realize that we need to be more diverse," Arena said.

"Our community, in my opinion, I’ve lived here since 1958, has never been, has never held an attitude of privilege over anyone that I’m aware of," said Hadden. 

Hadden celebrated the Black Lives Matter rally and called it one of the village's most historic moments in recent times. He and local leaders are ready to facilitate any educational experience or any other political expression of the moment should it come.