1. " White privilege is like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, code books, visa's, clothes, tools and blank checks"(1)
The author is simply expressing her feeling that just because of her race (white) she is automatically privileged to certain things that persons of others races are not. She calls being white an unearned asset that she was born with. It’s almost like being white is a license to a better quality of life.
2."When I am told of our national heritage or about "civilization", I am shown that people of my color made it what it is"
White people made America what it is today. From Abe Lincoln to Albert Einstein just about any major leap or bound in American history has been accomplished by a white person. There are not too many people of other races that impacted the country like our founding white fathers. Even presidents up until now have all been white males. It took over 200 years for non-white male to become president of the US.
3. "White students in the United States think that racism does not affect them because they are not people of color; they do not see "whiteness" as a racial identity."(5)
From what I infer she is trying to say that a white kid just views themselves as "normal" not just white, where as they view people from other races as "not normal" because they are not white. White people don't realize all the racism around them because they are not subject to it as often as other races, if at all.
Peggy McIntosh's article has been the easiest and most enjoyable to read so far. I liked the way she presented her information. This article did not make white people seem "bad"; she simply states that white people are born with some advantages that others are not, and change is needed. Being a white female, like most white people according to this article, I never really notice racism around me. After reading this article (and the 26 statements) I am noticing racism all around me. Like when I turn on the television and see mostly white people or when I go shopping and see food sections for other ethnic group particularly and it’s almost like the rest of the store is for American. Johnson and McIntosh use related dialogue. How much has our country changed since this article was published?
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Peggy McIntosh
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I like the first quote you decided to use... and how you commented, It’s almost like being white is a license to a better quality of life." I almost feel like that is what she is trying to portray in her article. It's the whole privilege aspect that everyone continues to write about. I do believe that our country has taken huge steps towards an more equalsociety but these changes can't happen over night.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the third quote that you choice. Many people feel as though because they are white, racism does not affect them. But in reality it does. People are judged everyday on their skin color. Since being white is a "privledge" in todays society, white people need to stand up and help others realize that skin color doesnt make anybody different. You need to look past peoples appearance since we were all created by the same God. We are all equal. People need to voice their voice, and help defend others, even if they are not being directly attacked themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree that after reading this article especially the 26 statements, I notice racism more and more. I feel like I never realized it before because I wrongly assumed it did not affect me.
ReplyDeleteI definately agree with what you said in your last paragraph. I also liked how McIntosh said a lot of the same things as the other articles we've read but she doesn't make you feel like it's your own fault, yet she still gives ways of how to change things. Since reading these pieces I have also begin to notice the racism and privledge that goes on around me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you said that whites just view themselves as normal. many people dont see white as a race, but if they dont consider white a race then why do they consider Hispanic or African American a race?
ReplyDeleteI am so glad this article really made you think!! Nice work.
ReplyDeleteI really like the 3rd quote you chose to comment on. I agree that some people because they're white think that they aren't judged. They think their privilege protects them but it doesn't. If they only looked around they'd realize it, and until they do they will always feel that being white is superior but it's not the case. No race is superior over another. I just wish most people could see that.
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