Unpacking The Invisible Knapsack Analysis
"Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack"
What's the main point of this article?
This article describes an elusive "unspoken" advantage toward white people in our society called " white privilege" which basically gives white people invisible privileges that work against people of color and keep them oppressed. It also says being oblivious to white privilege is ingrained in our culture and is kept that way by the "few groups who have most of the power already"(White Privilege,McIntosh).
What does this article explain?
The article explains how the U.S. is is messed up because one group "whites" have most of the power which in turn gives more privilege. From a white persons point of view, it gives examples of how white privilege takes
action in daily life experiences. It's invisible, you can't see it but you can definitely feel it. The myth of meritocracy is an interesting idea and truth because it explains the idea that our system is not equal opportunity for all.
Why are we reading this article and why is it important?
The author states that "through the matrix of white privilege she sees pattern of ASSUMPTIONS which were passed on to her as a white individual"(White privilege, McIntosh), It's important not to believe in assumptions because they are not based on facts. I'm "white" and I never really noticed it before but it's something we've been taught under the surface...almost like "they" snuck it in somewhere...programmed it indirectly into our brains. For example, not including all cultures into textbooks and making it seem white people created everything therefore it's better to be white. I can see how that oppresses people of different races and cultures which creates and idea their race isn't adequate like the "white" race, isn't "normal"...whatever that is! It's very unfortunate. I never looked at being white as a privilege, I was just born white but after reading this article I get it. It actually made me look at things differently in terms of how people of color are indirectly oppressed by whites.
What's the main point of this article?
This article describes an elusive "unspoken" advantage toward white people in our society called " white privilege" which basically gives white people invisible privileges that work against people of color and keep them oppressed. It also says being oblivious to white privilege is ingrained in our culture and is kept that way by the "few groups who have most of the power already"(White Privilege,McIntosh).
What does this article explain?
The article explains how the U.S. is is messed up because one group "whites" have most of the power which in turn gives more privilege. From a white persons point of view, it gives examples of how white privilege takes
action in daily life experiences. It's invisible, you can't see it but you can definitely feel it. The myth of meritocracy is an interesting idea and truth because it explains the idea that our system is not equal opportunity for all.
Why are we reading this article and why is it important?
The author states that "through the matrix of white privilege she sees pattern of ASSUMPTIONS which were passed on to her as a white individual"(White privilege, McIntosh), It's important not to believe in assumptions because they are not based on facts. I'm "white" and I never really noticed it before but it's something we've been taught under the surface...almost like "they" snuck it in somewhere...programmed it indirectly into our brains. For example, not including all cultures into textbooks and making it seem white people created everything therefore it's better to be white. I can see how that oppresses people of different races and cultures which creates and idea their race isn't adequate like the "white" race, isn't "normal"...whatever that is! It's very unfortunate. I never looked at being white as a privilege, I was just born white but after reading this article I get it. It actually made me look at things differently in terms of how people of color are indirectly oppressed by whites.