Unpacking the Invisible Napsack...
If you haven't read Peggy McIntosh's "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" I highly suggest it (Link Below).
To understand what race means or its implications, most are pretty much oblivious to it. Race, to a young child, usually means gathering a group of children together and running on foot. When the word becomes more familiar, in the “adult” context, eyebrows begin to rise at the thought of being called Racist.
In "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" McIntosh argues whiteness is not a "neutral" position, but rather a privileged ethnicity within the social structure of the United States. However, this privilege is often invisible to its beneficiaries, who see their privileges as normal and attainable by all. They do not see themselves as racist or as oppressors. Most of us do not casually sit around in mixed company, talking about racism and discrimination, unless we are in a place where it is the main topic of discussion. Even then ethical barricades or fear to speak what is really on the mind holds us back. Usually the conversation results in uncomfortable and intense situations.
By reading this I felt it was actually asking for an apology for my position in life. As I continued reading it was not to be apologetic for economic or class status, but more so be reminded, African Americans, Asians, Latinos, and Native Americans function within a society that has made historical denial and many distortions of our stories, and therefore our being. Even more so for women of different ethnicity, their struggle in the ladder of society is considered fiercer.
"…most people of color cannot count on seeing the following conditions most of the time: to be sure of renting or purchasing housing in an area which they can afford and in which they want to live; go shopping and be assured that they will not be followed or harassed; be sure that their children will be given curricular materials that testify to the existence of their race; or use checks, credit cards, or cash and count on their skin color not to work against the appearance of financial reliability." ~MacIntosh
In general it is hard to tell someone to embrace cultural diversity when they have been excluded or stifled in some way. Even with the degrees, title, and society's idea of the right neighborhood, one is still exposed to uneasy looks, stereotyping, and various levels of racism if their skin color is other than “white”.
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McIntosh's 26 Reasons:
I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.
If I should need to move, I can be pretty sure renting or purchasing housing in an area which I can afford and in which I would want to live.
I can be pretty sure that my neighbors in such a location will be neutral or pleasant to me.
I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed.
I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented.
When I am told about our national heritage or about "civilization," I am shown that people of my color made it what it is.
I can be sure that my children will be given curricular materials that testify to the existence of their race.
If I want to, I can be pretty sure of finding a publisher for this piece on white privilege.
I can go into a music shop and count on finding the music of my race represented, into a supermarket and find the staple foods which fit with my cultural traditions, into a hairdresser's shop and find someone who can cut my hair.
Whether I use checks, credit cards, or cash, I can count on my skin color not to work against the appearance of financial reliability.
I can arrange to protect my children most of the time from people who might not like them.
I can swear, or dress in second hand clothes, or not answer letters, without having people attribute these choices to the bad morals,the poverty, or the illiteracy of my race.
I can speak in public to a powerful male group without putting my race on trial.
I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my race.
I am never asked to speak for all the people of my racial group.
I can remain oblivious of the language and customs of persons of color who constitute the world's majority without feeling in my culture any penalty for such oblivion.
I can criticize our government and talk about how much I fear its policies and behavior without being seen as a cultural outsider.
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.
If a traffic cop pulls me over or if the IRS audits my tax return, I can be sure I haven't been singled out because of my race.
I can easily buy posters, postcards, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys, and children's magazines featuring people of my race.
I can go home from most meetings of organizations I belong to feeling somewhat tied in, rather than isolated, out-of-place, out numbered, unheard, held at a distance, or feared.
I can take a job with an affirmative action employer without having coworkers on the job suspect that I got it because of race.
I can choose public accommodation without fearing that people of my race cannot get in or will be mistreated in the places I have chosen.
I can be sure that if I need legal or medical help, my race will not work against me.
If my day, week, or year is going badly, I need not ask of each negative episode or situation whether it has racial overtones.
I can choose blemish cover or bandages in flesh color and have them more or less match my skin.