Unpacking the Knapsack (Peggy McIntosh)

1.  How does McIntosh define privilege? What words stand out in her definition?

For Peggy “privilege” is too soft a word to be used for the mental status. She asserts that “dominance” is more appropriate; the mental control that a particular race has over another OR, systematic over-empowerment of certain groups. In such situation no one is held responsible because of the oblivious nature of the whole thing.

2. What examples of the daily effects of privilege McIntosh lists stand out to you?

Few components of the invisible white knapsack encompass social, emotional, mental, and physical aspects of one’s life.”I can speak in a public to a powerful male group without putting my race on trial. I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented. I am never asked to speak for all the people of my racial group. 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. 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 choose blemish cover or bandages in “flesh” color and have them more or less matched my skin.”

3. What can be done to address white privilege, according to the author?

According to the author, disapproving of racist systems will not be enough to change them. However, systemic change can begin with the acknowledgment, identification of, and teaching of white privilege for oneself and then others. Individuals must understand what is happening and then make others aware. Once everyone understands white privilege, the issues of control can be addressed and eradicated. Only after such persistent and patient work, may one hope for system changes.

4. What other groups, besides white people, experience privilege? What might that privilege look like in everyday life?

Groups, besides whites, who experience privilege, are enough in number, like, Christian privilege, Muslim privilege, Arabs privilidge, Pashtun privilege. Examples in routine life can be; I am muslim,I am brave, I am Arab belong to the land of Prophet Muhammad.