In White Privilege:
Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, written by Peggy McIntosh, points out that
the idea of “White Privilege” is something that has been written into our
culture for decades. However, white privilege is more apparent to those who are
not white. White people are most likely brought up with the idea that there is
no white privilege, there is just the idea of “us” versus ‘”them. For example, “they”
need to obtain the standards that the “us” has set. McIntosh realized that everything
that she has accomplished in her life, she has been aided by the color of her
skin as well as alienating every other person who doesn’t fall in with the
whites. She also discusses that the word “privilege” in “white privilege” doesn’t
carry the same meaning anymore. Privilege means that one person our group of
people hold a state of favor. However, this word has begun to take on the
meaning of dominance. Not all aspects of white privilege are wrong. It only
becomes wrong when other races feel subordinate and unequal. She points out
that not all “advantages” are negative. They are things that any human being
can do.
It is a sad reality
that this country still at times operates under white privilege. White people
shouldn’t be the power race. HUMANS are the power species regardless of gender
or skin color. Personal success should be measured by the individual and their
accomplishments rather than the color of their skin. Just because I’m white
does not mean I can do things that people of other races cannot.
I agree with you Taylor, white people should not be considered the power race and have more advantages in life because their white and they have a special "privileges". We are humans, all equal no matter the race or gender, and humans have the power. I am a Hispanic woman, so I have many odds against me, but I shouldn't. Just because I am not white or I am not a man I have disadvantages due to the "white privilege". In Peggy McIntosh's essay "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack", she explains the idea of "white privilege" and how it is something that has been a part of our culture for a long time. But also how this "white privilege" is more apparent to the non-white people because it hits us hard in ways that affect our lives, while the white just live in this society where there is the idea of "us" versus "them". She also explains how the meaning of "white privilege" has evolved over time; it has now taken the meaning of dominance. The fact that this country still runs under the "white privilege" is such a sad thing to say because it should not be this way. It should be equal for everybody because humans rule and that includes everybody no matter the race or gender. Hispanics, African Americans, Asians, and other ethnicities should not be excluded from anything because they are not white, and also women should have dominance too because men aren't the only strong ones anymore. Women are slowly growing stronger as the years go on. There should be no “white privilege” because HUMANS have dominance and not just the whites.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Taylor. In today’s society as much as race or gender doesn’t seem like much of a factor anymore, it really is. White Privilege isn’t apparent to those that are in this category, but to everybody that isn’t included in this “white privilege”, it isn’t fair. In my community I am the “norm” but if you were to put me in a non-white community I would then be the minority and I think that where the “white privilege” comes into play. I think it is more on the norm of what a person is use to. Yes, I have higher standards set for me because I am white but that doesn’t mean that it is right. People should have standards set for them based on their personal accomplishments, not by race or gender. Being white I would say has an advantage in today’s society but look at all of the successful non-white people in the world and throughout history and how people admire them so much. That proves that race nor gender should matter at all.
ReplyDeleteTaylor,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your interpretations of what McIntosh is trying to say. It is easy to see what she believes white people are at a very unfair and completely undeserved advantage to a greater life when compared to non-whites. However, when asked if white people should give up their rights to create a more equal society. I would argue no. Now, this does not mean that I believe white should have privileges and be the most powerful race at all. I just believe that we can obtain equality without sacrifices being made. A huge factor to equality is time. We were taught from a young age that white people taught black people very wrong and of course this seemed terrible to us but we will could notice a difference in the way they were treated. As time goes on, the later generations will have a harder and harder time noticing and differences in equality. These days, there are so many laws passed to maintain equality throughout all races in the US. As time goes on, the laws won't even be necessary but it will be second nature. This is why I do not believe that white people need to have their privileges taken away because I don't believe that will do anything. However, time and education will.
I agree with what Taylor is saying, whites don’t see most of these things as having white privileges because it is what they grew up with, but to non-whites such things set both groups apart in an unfair way. I don’t think whites should be considered the power race because in a perfect society, everyone is equal, but we do not live in a perfect world. I do not think that we should have to give up these privileges, but instead share them with everyone. McIntosh states, “The word “privilege” now seems to me misleading. Yet some of the conditions I have described here work to systematically over empower certain groups.” She makes a very good point in saying this. Since the first people came to America, the whites have been oppressing all other races, even the ones that were here before they got here. More recently, we have seen the error of our ways, or so we make it seem. I believe non-whites still feel inferior to white people. We as humans should work together equally and no one group of people based off of race, gender, age, or sexuality should have any less power than another group.
ReplyDeleteStacy,
ReplyDeleteI find flaw in the opinion that white people don't have to give up privilege in order for equality to be achieved. Especially with your example of the way white people historically treated black people. I assume that you are talking about slavery in the early 1800s, and how we now see that slavery in the South was a terrible thing, and shouldn't have existed. The reason that slavery was abolished is not blacks rising up and taking their freedom, it was white men giving up the privilege of owning slaves, and white men fighting politically for the freedom of slaves. If we can relate this to our time, and see that many of the privileges white people have are oppressive, it is the responsibility of whoever is in power (white people) to give up this power. Time does not change equality, it is the actions of people in power that change equality.
I am in agreement with Taylor. Even though I am white I still believe that our country as a whole should let up on the privileges us whites get and there should be a more equal order. I really liked when she said, “Personal success should be measured by the individual and their accomplishments rather than the color of their skin.” I think our country should abide to that saying and stop being biased towards other races or cultures. I do believe that people judge each other off of stereotypes and that is not the way to go. For example, if a black man and a white man were at to separate tables but had the same waiter, chances are the waiter is going to try to do his best for the white man considering he probably thinks he is going to tip better. It is little things like that that are ruining this country. In my eyes everyone is equal no matter what color skin they are. Not all stereotypes are true so you can’t base anything off of that. Some of the most stereotypical sayings include, “oh he’s Asian, he must be really good at math.” Or, “She’s white, she has to be rich and snobby.” And, “Since he’s black he is probably really good at sports.” The sayings go on and on. We need to get past they stereotypes and not treat other races differently or even have any special privileges just because the color of your skin.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the biggest issue other than the fact that white people have better privileges is that the white people gaining these privileges are oblivious to this unfair treatment. If they are aware of the treatment, then they do not want to do anything about it because they selfishly want to give themselves more opportunities to succeed. I do not believe however that white people should have their privileges removed. All other races should merely have their privileges expanded to match those of white people because the inequality is completely unfair, especially in the workplace and in legal situations. Another issue of this matter that really bothers me is the subconscious privileges certain people give white people instead of treating all races the same. These subconscious behaviors can range dramatically from a quick slight judgement when you first meet someone based on their race to subconsciously, unknowingly giving someone a job for their race. Someone who is not white is sometimes forced to work twice as hard, be twice as knowledgeable, and maneuver their way through the unfair circumstances just to be able to get an opportunity to get the same job as a white person who may clearly be less prepared and equipped for the job.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that white privileges are not really privileges but mainly stereotypes that people bring out, because you cannot say all white people have it easy and all white people are undeserving of they're privileges and don't notice them that wouldn't be true. I do believe that all races should be treated equal and no one should get certain privileges for the color of their skin. America is a multi racial country and it's racism has definitely decreased over the years. White people shouldn't have to give up they're so called privileges because it is up to you personally to achieve your own privilege and success. why would you judge a successful white man that has money, you think he had it all easy? Maybe he did but you don't know his story, He could've made it all on his own and could of had a terrible childhood. You shouldn't judge a successful white man just like you shouldn't judge a successful mexican man or any other race. We are all one and all can succeed.
ReplyDelete