Unpacking The Invisible Knapsack Summary

. However, this individual always expected to other people to move out of his way. Eventually, the author was sick of his attitude, and they walked right into each other. The other individual was furious – wondering why the author had not moved out of his way. The main point the author is trying to convey to the audience is that privileged people expect other people to cater to their needs; to stay out of their way (Boeskool). Privileged people in America expect everyone to tolerate them, and move out of their way. People in America want their ideas to be catered to – such as Christianity. However, once one begins to question, or not move out of their way, they get angry. Privileged people claim “religious reasons for gay marriage and so many more

Dr. Peggy McIntosh looks at white privilege, by “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” She describes white privilege as almost a special check or coin that she gets to cash in on. Dr. McIntosh tells that white privilege has been a taboo and repressed subject – and that many white people are taught not to see or recognize it. However, she is granted privileges (McIntosh 30). Dr. McIntosh goes on to describe twenty-six ways in which her skin-color grants her certain privileges. In example twenty, she describes how she can buy “…posters, postcards, picture books…” and other items that “…feature people of my race” (32). Additionally, in her first example, she talks about being able to be in the “company of people of my race most of the time” (McIntosh 31). Instances in which a privilege person would not even recognize unless they were looking, show evidence for white privilege. People take these advantages for granted because they simply expect them. Due to the lack of melatonin in her skin, she was granted privileges and her skin served as an asset to her. Dr. McIntosh conveys how her privilege is not only a “favored state,” but also a power over other