White Privilege In America

When asked about white privilege, many whites believe that it is a myth while other deny the existence of white privilege entirely. However, white privilege is not a myth. White privilege is very prevalent in society and uniquely effects many different groups. Peggy McIntosh discusses white privilege in her article “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” McIntosh states, “I have come to see while privilege as an invisible package of unearned assets which I can count on cashing in each day, but about which I was, "meant" to remain oblivious” (par. 3).

Peggy McIntosh’s “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack” addresses the issue of acknowledging whites’ unaware privileges, thus weakening the systems of advantage to reconstruct power systems in the society from 1989 to the present. For instance, men are unconscious about their privileges in a patriarchal society while women are oppressed in the society. White people are unaware of the privileges which they take for granted while non-white communities are discriminated against repeatedly. McIntosh identities her privileges from daily life, which she also relates the patterns of white privilege and assumptions that passed down.

Wise’s examination of the inconspicuous character of racism 2.0 dovetails fittingly with our course’s recurring theme of institutionalized racism. In class lectures we have defined institutionalized racism as the discriminatory practices that have become regularized and routinized by state agencies, organizations, industries, or anywhere else in society. Although such practices might not be intentionally racist, they end up being racist nevertheless as consequence of the systematized and unspoken biases that have become increasingly convoluted and entrenched within society over time. It also doesn’t help white people to recognize these discriminatory practices considering they have been unconsciously tailored to be consistent with white perspective and mentality. In her article, White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, Peggy McIntosh examines not only how white folks often consider themselves to be a normative figure within society, but also how they are carefully taught not to recognize the advantages they gain from the disadvantages that impair people of color. In the article, McIntosh acknowledges the reality of her own white privilege and expresses, “In my class and place, I did not see myself as a racist because I was taught to recognize racism only in individual acts of meanness by members of my group, never in invisible systems conferring unsought racial dominance on my group from birth” (McIntosh 4). In fact, even if white folks do not believe themselves to

stating or pointing out what they consider the obvious, that not every white person has

Shannon Sullivan reveals what white privilege looks like from someone who deals with it on a daily basis, a white woman. Sullivan discusses how white privilege in this day and age can be an invisible and sometimes unquestioned norm in our lives in America. Sullivan speaks up about her own race and the ways it has affected her life. The book discusses the delicate effects white supremacy has had on America. Sullivan also prompts white people to start standing up to the podium and discussing the issues they see when it comes to race. In Sullivan’s writing, she states how white privilege is not discussed much amongst white people and that she wants them to own up to their privilege and to go against the norms of their environments that allow these activities to happen.

White privilege has decreased over the past couple years due to further understanding of racial differences. However, I believe it does still exist within our society. Many times it goes unnoticed by whites because they have the upper hand in the situation. One privilege I have noticed I have as a white member of society is credibility in educational situations.

America’s society has been built on racial beliefs. As much as we believe that America is a country of acceptance, freedom, and equality, people of color have been thought of and treated as inferior races. As research continued, scientists believed that other white races like the Europeans, Germans, and Irish, were white people in transition and would eventually meet their high standards. They believed that they could assimilate into American society and become white Americans; however, Asians, blacks, or any other minority was immediately disregarded as ever becoming American. Being white was a ticket to citizenship. In 1790, congress passed an act called the Naturalization Law, which stated that only free white immigrants could become naturalized citizens. Later on in 1870, the law expanded

In the movie, Time Wise, an antiracist and educator, explores racism and white privilege. He thoroughly brings up the phrase “white denial”, where politicians and others consistently believe that racism is in the past. In the reading in class we have also described this onset as colorblind racism (Golash-Boza 64). He also integrates living expectations and stereotypes into his video by describing his past. Tim had lived in an area where he attended a majority black school.

White privilege, ignorance, and blindness are not valid reasons for minimizing racial oppression or social injustice. The reach of white privilege is extensive yet rarely recognized by white individuals. Most individuals are not aware of their white privilege or the subtle "accommodations" that are afforded white individuals not shared by African Americans. White privilege affords those of white identity all-inclusive membership privileges that insulate them from the historical, institutionalized rules long-favoring whites at the expense of black oppression. This privileged lens further perpetuates blindness of not seeing the advantages given to those unaffected regardless of status, character, or merit. Stories of “historically invisible sufferers” as they stand in solidarity must be given the platform to give their accounts. An analysis of white privilege reveals blindness to the moral responsibility of the effects of racism: authenticating the need of further exploring white privilege, opening dialogue, increasing awareness, and facilitating change.

White privilege refers to the benefits that white people gain from society that minority members are not privy to. White privilege is walking around the land of the free and being free. Free of judgement, free of stereotypes and free of danger. When you come across the term “privilege” you instantly think of something being earned. But, if one looks a little further they will see that, this is not the case. In today’s society it is not earned, but given, given to “the man”. An act that happens in everyday life has become a norm to society, in which minorities are suppressed of what we all should have access to. But because of white privilege, the education that the Hispanic boy wants, the director position the female qualifies for or the house

After reading this article I’ve realized that it is true, I for one now know that even though I may not always see it, but whites really do have more privileges and are more free than colored people in America. I love to shop, and I even work at a mall but because I am white I’ve never really thought about how colored people feel in a mall just because I have never seen it nor have I ever been racially profiled. One of the daily effects of white privileges in the article was “I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed.” I’ve never thought that going to the mall for some people could be hard and that is just a prime example that I don’t really see what is really going on around me because

178). When looking at whites in general, most will proclaim they are not prejudice and racism does not affect them in their everyday life. Thus, whites live in a state of denial to the fact that white privilege consistently causes racial inequities. The virtual invisibility of white privilege and how it makes whites feel is what makes it so easy to deny its existence. White privilege is sustained and normalized in society because everyone thrives for promotion, thus we are “loathe to relinquish it” (Wise, 2016, p. 164). Even President Obama was vague and sincerely noncommittal when referring to the white cops who have killed unarmed black youth (Dyson, 2016, p. 190). Therefore, if whites are oblivious of its existence and white privilege is coddled to remain virtually invisible to them, how can white privilege be eradicated?

that not everyone had the same results (2012). Some researchers found that people were not less racist when they were aware of white privilege. When some people find out about white privilege they are angry because they feel guilty for being white. However, the goal is not to make people feel guilty; sociologists want people to be informed. Ruparelia feels that whites should try to make things equal about races (2014). If whites were able to convince people that they are of the superior race, then they have the power to make things equal.

After thousands of years fighting, killing and arguing with one another, we as a human race still cannot live in harmony. We live in a society where skin color determines what advantages and disadvantages you have. The issue of White privilege in our society is real. It is a topic that many people are afraid or uncomfortable talking about. I consider myself privileged, in my education, my good neighborhood, and my light skin. I recognize the privilege I have. White privilege refers to the immunities granted as a particular benefit or favor for being of a certain wealth, gender, or race. White privilege affects minority populations and society in many ways. White privilege can come in many forms, such as never having to speak up for all the people of your race, having a positive relationship with the police, escaping violent stereotypes, and seeing people of your race widely represented in the media. These are sources that offer concrete evidence on how white privilege affects our society.

In the article, “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack”, Peggy McIntosh talks about the various privileges white people receive. Her basic idea was to inform the readers that whites are taught to ignore the fact that they enjoy social privileges that people of color do not because we live in a society of white dominance. McIntosh lists some daily white privileges; a variety of daily instances where white dominance is clear. Her examples include privileges relating to education, careers, entertainment, child care, confrontations, physical appearance, and public life.