I've received a couple of lucky breaks, but as far as I can tell, they've been more to do with the status of the company (and my own work experience) than they were my skin color and sex.

PRIVILEGE! Whether you want to believe it or not, you are wallowing in it! Have you ever read White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack? If not, I *highly* recommend it, as you don't seem to get that you're privileged, and yes, you have advantages that minorities do not, simply because you're white.... I'm not trying to be offensive -- I'm trying to help you be *less* offensive because I think you're a decent guy and I don't want you to get slammed for this.