The essay White
Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, by Peggy McIntosh gives us all
an awakening to an issue I think we all don’t really think about. I know that
when thinking of racism, we just think of segregation and how it was so bad
back then. I never really thought about how this unearned privilege of being
white is kind of racist. In the essay, McIntosh lists 26 unearned privileges
she has as a white person. I think it was so important for her to make this
list because it gives us multiple examples and gives the essay so much more
emphasis. The list backs up her claim and shows the readers that what she’s
talking about is true. I do not agree with her claim about systems of
oppression being linked because I don’t believe racism has anything to do with
affecting sexism. A person can be a racist and not care if someone is gay. I
think it depends on the type of person and I don’t think that you can say all
people are like that. I do think that people should be responsible for the
disadvantages of others outside of their personal identity because as a society
we should stick together and help out our fellow Americans. Change is more
likely to happen if people of all cultures come together to help because it
makes more of an impact.
I agree a lot with what you said, especially the part about all cultures coming together to help with change. I don't feel like its fair to say that white people have more an advantage at life than other races. And especially the part when she talked about seeing other white people in a newspaper, most of the people that live in America are white, of course you'll see more of them in a newspaper, or on the news. And white people may have a advantage in america, but I feel like hispanics would have more of an advantage in Mexico, and Black people would have more of an advantage in Africa, and asians in China, it just depends where you go.
ReplyDeleteIn Peggy McIntosh’s essay she suggests that the systems of oppression are linked. I think that in a sense this is true, but more in a chain reaction type of way. When something happens and the media covers it other oppressors begin to pick up on what is acceptable in “society”. So for example, if it becomes ok to push POC down at Trump rally’s, it will also be ok to push women down, LBQT members down ect. Members of oppressed groups often face the same types of discrimination in public. Oppression is more universal than it is by groups. Oppressed people as a whole will share some of the same treatment. This goes for good treatment as well, when America (and the world actually) puts its foot down and demands a change, the rest of the oppressors will have no choice but to follow along, like a chain reaction. Once America stops tolerating the negative cycle they can implement a positive one, that will spread just as wide.
ReplyDeleteNice post,
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of your points. For example, I like how you explained how we think of racism today, (segregation). I feel like I have thought about white privilege before with some friends and we talked about how, “Maybe everything is just thought of backwards, and we’re the fucked up ones!??!” ha ha ha, who would have thought I’d be reading a paper about it in my English class.
I agree with you when you say the 26 privileges were important for the readers, but I kind of feel like those said privileges aren’t completely for whites… I feel like a few of those are pretty universal, for example the one about feeling safe in the store. Lastly, I can’t fully take your side when you state that it’s important for people, who have the advantage to be responsible for others disadvantages. Ehhhh, take care of your own actions homie, c’mon! Yes, it’s nice to give a hand to someone in need every once and a while, maybe give them some back-support along the way, but this is a free world buddy, you’re living it for yourself, not everyone’s a Mr. nice guy.
Hey, I want to agree with AJ’s comment aswell, “And white people may have a advantage in america, but I feel like hispanics would have more of an advantage in Mexico, and Black people would have more of an advantage in Africa, and asians in China, it just depends where you go.”
Right on man, right onnn.
Over all, I agree with what is written in your post. Every individual is unique,and it is difficult to convey a whole groups thoughts and beliefs. Everyone has their set of ideas and its is illogical to think that all people were raised the same way the author, Peggy McIntosh, was taught to believe. In addition, I also agree with your claim that although the groups that experience disadvantages may not be the group we are identified with does not mean that the issue is not one we should all be concerned about. Not only should one morally care for others, but it is just a practice of empathy. Also, this is an act that one day could be practiced towards your own race. As fellow citizens, it is important that, together, we make this country an environment that is welcoming to all as each group contributes to the daily function of the country.
ReplyDelete