I'm 61 years old and White. I heard the expression all the time during my youth and into my adulthood. Not in movies, from the lips of White people my age and older. Most people who used it didn't seem to mean it in any specific racist way; however, the racist context came through anyway by contrast. I mean, why say white? Obviously, because Black people are less free than White people. Otherwise, the phrase wouldn't make sense.

Until I read your article just now, I did not know how the phrase got started, so thanks for the information.

But you know what? Even as a kid, I didn't need to know the origin story to know I shouldn't be using the phrase.

I haven't heard it from contemporaries in years, and I don't think younger White people use it at all. I hope not.