Here is Dr. Spencer's overview statement on vulnerability and especially around race, skin color and gender.
Overview statement
Margaret Beale Spencer, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania

Many themes impact life outcomes and demonstrations of resiliency. Our interpretation of resiliency is specific and borrowed from theorizing by James Anthony (1974) who posits that resiliency (i.e., good outcomes achieved) is possible ONLY in the face of challenge. All individuals represent a level of vulnerability (i.e., the presence of risk factors balanced against the presence of protective factors). Thus, the task is to cope productively with human vulnerability as experienced in the multiple contexts of human development with the goal in mind of achieved resiliency.

At the same time, multiple factors influence the conditions and character of context in which humans grow and develop (i.e., irrespective of the developmental stage). For some social bias contributes to psychological and physical perceptions and experiences of danger. On the other hand, for others it reinforces unequal access to opportunity and power. Race, skin color and gender are unique in that their characteristics are noticeable irrespective of protective factors available. Thus, the consequences of their meanings for others have important implications for daily experiences.