White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh
1. Looking at the title of the article and the opening quote from Peggy McIntosh, why do you think the article is titled using a reference to an “invisible knapsack”? What is in this invisible knapsack? Why should we learn to “see” the invisible knapsack?
The article uses the reference to the backpack as privilege is something that is carried around and brought with us everywhere. The fact that ultimately the realisation of the weight of what we carry is never truly acknowledged until it is taken off hence the addition of invisibility. This knapsack carries the tool and utilities so that we may succeed in life without any obstacles based on the colour of our skin. In other
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words, it holds the key to feeling what we consider “free” from most judgement and discrimination. The knapsack should learn to be seen in the sense that the white privilege should be acknowledged so that we may realise what advantaged we do hold over those who aren’t as free to partake in the conditions listed and learn to stand up to these facts so that they may change in a more positive way. 2.
First Paragraph: In your own words, what does McIntosh say about men and women?
She explains that to the imbalance of rights between men and women is largely due to the fact that the men are unwilling to admit that they have more privileges than women but admit that woman have less privileges. Hence they are unwilling to admit that they have to give up their privileged so nothing in society will drastically change as a result.
3. Second Paragraph: In your own words, what does she say about
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racism? She says that white privilege isn’t directly acknowledged and that these assets that come along with having a fair complexion are utilised every day without the direct acknowledgement of said assets. 4. What does McIntosh mean when she says “we’ve been conditioned into oblivion” when referring to the existence to unearned skin privileged? Note: when she says “we” here, she means white people. She is trying to portray that white people have been conditioned not to realise that they are oppression others even if that is not their intention. That just by being white you are earning privileges that aren’t being awarded to all. 5.
In the section titled “Daily Effects of White Privilege” read through the list of different unearned privileges. Which two points stand out to you the most and why?
I found number 15 that singles out being ask to speak for their race an interesting point as I have never really reflected on whether I was asked to speak for an entire group. In my mind it also brings about the point that I , being of white heritage, have to apologize for my ancestors oppression something, I myself , had no input in. When this subject arises I have to speak on behalf of my heritage to apologise for something I have no control over either, my skin colour.
Another point I found compelling is the mention of being able to find a flesh coloured band aid that is similar to my own flesh colour. I find this an odd point to bring up as the flesh coloured band aids is only the beginning of a flesh coloured spiral that only gets worst. As a very pale human I find “flesh” colored products give me an orange hued tan (resulting in tears) so I can only imagine the struggle those with even more unconventional skin colors have when shopping (even more tears).
6. What are two (or three) key points that stand out to you in the section titled “Elusive &
Fugitive”. One main point that stood out to me was the mention that she wishes to avoid the pressures of white privilege. I understand her predicament as even as a n individual who is in the majority I feel the need to try and avoid the word white privilege instead of actually giving into what I am alloded as all that results are an immense feeling of guilt. The second point I found compelling is the fact that she said she could be oblivious to other cultures than what is widely popular. I find this point a step further that white privilege I find remaining unworldly more of an act of ignorance than a point that is necessarily among privilege. To remain ignorant is also a choice more so with the internet. To stay close to what you deem as your world is not a privilege but an ,as I said, ignorance. 7. Read the section “Earned Strength, Unearned Power”. What is the difference between these two things (earned strength and unearned power)? Overlooked is the distinction between the two by those who are dominant. Unearned power is often misinterpreted as earned strength as both have positive and negative advantages. Unearned power is attributed to something one has not had to work for while believing that they did in fact work to obtain said power. Earned Strength is based entirely on the working to achieve a goal or desire. Those who are white most often believe that they have earned something when in fact they have only inherited such power based on their privilege 8. In the section “Earned Strength, Unearned Power” what other forms of unearned advantage are there? There is age advantage, ethnic advantage, physical ability, nationality, religion or sexual orientation. 9. In the section “Earned Strength, Unearned Power” what does McIntosh say about individuals and systems (social systems and systems of dominance)? She goes on to say that simply being against these systems isn’t enough and that if we wish to see a change that we should acknowledge that there is a certain system in place needing to be reconstructed and not just lobby for equality. She goes on to conclude that if those who are advantaged were as open we could either use the unearned to weaken the current system or to try and reconstruct the system with a broader conclusion in mind. 10. Reflection question 1: Reflect on this article vis-à-vis your life in about 100-150 words. You can answer one, two or even all of the following questions. a. What did you learn that you didn’t know before? If you were to tell a friend about this reading, what would you let them? Have you learned about this in school before? Do you think about this in your day-to-day life (why or why not)? When I first saw this article I thought that it would be like every other white privilege paper I have ever had the pleasure of reading meaning it would leave me riddled with guilt. Instead this paper opened my eyes to certain issues that need to be addressed that I take advantage of everyday. One advantage that stuck with me hours after I read the piece was about being represented in postcards and greeting cards…etc. This everyday experience of being exposed in the media never really made me ponder that I was always being represented. I cannot bring to mind a TV series with many awards that doesn’t feature someone of white descent. When I did mention this to friend I told them how this work aims to address the issue instead of telling us directly that we are at an advantage. 11. Reflection question 2: What unearned advantages do you see or experience in your everyday life? If you don’t see/notice any, reflect on why that is the case. An unearned advantage that I experienced in my everyday life is my employment opportunities. I am lauded opportunities in my mostly white community simply because I fit into their expectation of whom they want to hire in terms of race. Had I been of a different ethnic background I would simply not get the job as I would be an abnormality that would may cause some parents, working with children, some unprecedented uneasiness.
In her article, “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” Peggy McIntosh writes about the privilege white individuals get without noticing it. McIntosh talks about how whites are taught to not recognize their privilege. McIntosh having a background in Women’s Studies, she also talks about how men have more privileges than women, yet they rarely recognize it. In the article McIntosh claims that “After I realized the extent to which men work from a base of unacknowledged privilege, I understood that much of their oppressiveness was unconscious.”
“I repeatedly forgot each of the realizations on this list until I wrote it down. For me, white privilege has turned out to be an elusive and fugitive subject. The pressure to avoid it is great, for in facing it I must give up the myth of meritocracy. If these things are true, this is not such a free country; one’s life is not what one makes it; many doors open for certain people through no virtues of their own.”
...less knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools, and blank checks” (page 79). McIntosh’s ranges of examples are no doubt impressive, ranging privileges from education, political affairs, hygiene, the job industry, and mainly public life. Her list of examples makes it easy for her readers to relate no matter how diverse the audience. While, many would disagree with this essay McIntosh anticipates this by making the contrast among earned and acquired power vs. conferred privilege. Contrary, to anyone’s beliefs everyone has an unbiased and equal shot at earned power. However, conferred privilege is available to certain groups: particularly the white race. America is founded on a system of earned power, where we fight for what we believe in, particularly freedom and equality. However, this is simply a mirage we want to believe in.
The two articles that had a profound impact to my understanding of race, class and gender in the United States was White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh and Imagine a Country by Holly Sklar. McIntosh explains the keys aspects of unearned advantage (a privilege that one group hold over another) as well as conferred dominance (the act of voluntarily giving another group power) and the relationship that these factors hold when determine power of a social group. Additionally, the purpose of McIntosh’s article was to demonstrate the privilege that certain individuals carry and how that translates to the social structures of our society. Furthermore, conferred dominance also contributes to the power of the dominant group
Everyone has privilege in one way or another. People feel that privilege is give to one race more, instead of every race. The race that it’s getting more privilege is the White race and with that comes White privilege. White means the people who have a light skin color also known as Caucasian or European and privilege means an advantage over others. An example of privilege is getting away with something that someone may not get away with. So White privilege is defined as “an invisible package of unearned assets that [someone that is White] can count on cashing in each day, but about which [they were] ‘meant’ to remain oblivious” (McIntosh 1990: 1). McIntosh is saying in that quote is that Whites do not recognize that they have this privilege
Peggy McIntosh wrote this article to identify how her white privilege effects her life. Each statement is written as a privilege that Ms. McIntosh does not need to consider or fear as a white woman. From financial credibility to national heritage, this article makes a valid point regarding the way white people can be arrogant and naïve when the same treatment is not being given to their neighbors, coworkers, and peers. There can be two responses when reading this. The first would be a person of color. They will appreciate the attempt at realization of what white people take for granted. The second would be the reality that smacks the white people in the face when they realize how true all 50 statements are. Once this begins to sink in, many will start to broaden their competence realizing the unfair treatment of the people in this world. Moving down the timeline, we can see how the acknowledgement can mend broken relationships. Owning the reality and doing something to change it can give the people of different races the treatment they deserve (McIntosh,
Women work just as hard as men and can do anything that men are able to do, but they do not have the right to vote. They are also paid less and not treated as equals. With her assertive tone, she stands up to the men listening and exhibits her claim just as well as any male would’ve done. A woman must talk to a man with confidence and power, because using a timid, meek tone will create no effect. She puts down the idea that men are superior to women.
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
The main point that McIntosh is pushing forward is that both whites and males have certain advantages. McIntosh says that “white privilege as an invisible package of unearned assets” (605). White privilege are these advantages that white people receive just for being white. They didn’t earn any of the privilege other than being born with the right skin tone. She also recognizes them as being “invisible”. They don’t realize that they have this advantage over everyone else.
With all of these facts, the author tries to prove that racial differences and privileges appear exaggerated and unrealistic. The privileged and less privileged exist at all levels of society. Duke wants white people to understand that they are in the same position as all other races. The awareness of “white privilege” is only a fallacy that causes feel of guilt without foundation.
White privilege is institutionalized when the practices and policies of an institution systematically benefit whites at the expense of other racial groups. Peggy McIntosh published an article entitled “White privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack”, which names in very clear ways, how everyday, having white skin confers privileges that white people don’t often realize they receive. By illuminating the many forms that white privilege takes, Peggy McIntosh urges readers to exercise a sociological imagination. She asks us to consider how our individual life experiences are connected to and situated within large-scale patterns and trends in society. She includes a “white privileges” checklist which include answering yes or no to statements. For example, can Chad Aiken confidently say “I can be pulled over by a police cruiser and not have to worry about it being about my race”, or “I can be pretty sure that if I ask to talk to the “person in charge”, I will be facing a person of my race”. White people are generally free from this systemic bias, suspicion and low expectations that racialized people must endure everyday because it is built into our culture. When a criminal has white skin, his actions are never connected to his race, while a criminal perceived as a brown-skinned Muslim might inspire hatred and suspicion of other
“White privilege is like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools and blank checks” (McIntosh, 172). White privilege is all around us, but society has been carefully taught
Women have been treated unequally since the beginning of time. Just recently have things began to change for the better for women and the future of our society. The increase in women’s equality rights will take time, but some day women and men will be treated equally. This cannot happen until each of us is able to look at a person and just see another individual, not a male or a female, white or black, rich or poor… a person as just a person.
Before women can prove they too deserve the same rights as men, they must first put to rest the myths and beliefs of their status in this country. This myth of the female status in the United States, and in most other places in the world, has always been the same. It is the belief that women should be in the kitchen, taking care of the kids, and the house, amongst other beliefs. However, in today's society, this is considered ludicrous. For instance, in her essay, 'Ain't I a Woman?' Sojourner Truth delivers a powerful message and addresses the issues of women in the society. She argues that women should have equal rights, because they can do the same things as men. For example she says, ?That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place anywhere. Nobody helps me into no carriages, or over no mud puddles, or gives me any best place? (348). She, then, con...
She writes, “Marxism could not see that the interests and priorities of working-class women and men might at times conflict, and it ruled out of order the possibility that working-class men might benefit from women’s subordination, and that they might therefore have an interesting maintaining it, even in socialist society” (Bryson 17). But, this is wrong because working-class men might put women’s subornation, which is lower class. The men could put women in lower risk in the class and men will take over the working-class. I believe this is wrong because every working class human being should have same rights being in that