White Privilege And Male Privilege Analysis

The readings this week came in the form of an essay, and then a criticism of analysis of said essay. Peggy McIntosh’s 1988 essay “White privilege and male privilege: A personal account of coming to see correspondences through work in women’s studies” on the topic of white privilege was put under the lens in “McIntosh as Synecdoche”. Critics viewed it as incomplete and not productive in solving the problem of racism in the world. While there was much left unsaid about white privilege in her essay, it could be viewed as an important conversation starter about the topic.
One problem people seemed to have with the essay that McIntosh’s given list of white privileges is “just a list” (Lensmire, et al, 2013, p. 413). It honestly feels like something
and the rest of the world. Honestly, let’s not blame Peggy for this. Not all essays have to be comprehensive and solve all the problems in the world. The criticism is justified, though, when a piece becomes so well-known and there’s a threat that the general public will pick it up and not add any analysis themselves. The fear it seems the authors had is that some may read it and feel that admitting to themselves that they have white privilege will solve the problem. This is akin to the phenomena that telling someone your goals may actually reduce the chance that you will work toward your goal, because just telling someone feels like a step in itself and will discourage you to actually work toward it. But there is value in admitting there is a problem or unfortunate trend, and in acknowledging how difference in skin color and culture gives certain people certain restrictions or advantages in life.
In the film “Color of Fear”, in which men of many different backgrounds converse seriously about the topics of race and skin color. White male David quickly became the center of the discussion when he opened with the fact that he considers himself an “American”, where the rest of the men couldn’t agree to call themselves that as well. He frequently used accusatory-sounding questions when discussing this idea with
They sang and hugged at the end of it all, indicative of the changes being made within themselves. Throughout, David had been willing to discuss the topic and acknowledge the issue at hand (and an issue within himself,) which could be seen as a step in the right direction. McIntosh’s essay about white privilege is a step in the right direction in the same vein. While it might not be perfect, it opens a discussion on an important topic and gives others a platform on which to say “hey, just acknowledging white privilege isn’t enough; something has to change within society and within