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White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack [Not-a-Parody-Unintentional-Humor]
Education Policy Analysis Archives ^ | Peggy McIntosh

Posted on 03/09/2006 2:27:13 PM PST by governsleastgovernsbest

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

Through work to bring materials from women's studies into the rest of the curriculum, I have often noticed men's unwillingness to grant that they are overprivileged, even though they may grant that women are disadvantaged. They may say they will work to women's statues, in the society, the university, or the curriculum, but they can't or won't support the idea of lessening men's. Denials that amount to taboos surround the subject of advantages that men gain from women's disadvantages. These denials protect male privilege from being fully acknowledged, lessened, or ended.

Thinking through unacknowledged male privilege as a phenomenon, I realized that, since hierarchies in our society are interlocking, there are most likely a phenomenon, I realized that, since hierarchies in our society are interlocking, there was most likely a phenomenon of while privilege that was similarly denied and protected. As a white person, I realized I had been taught about racism as something that puts others at a disadvantage, but had been taught not to see one of its corollary aspects, white privilege, which puts me at an advantage.

I think whites are carefully taught not to recognize white privilege, as males are taught not to recognize male privilege. So I have begun in an untutored way to ask what it is like to have white privilege.

snip

After I realized the extent to which men work from a base of unacknowledged privilege, I understood that much of their oppressiveness was unconscious. Then I remembered the frequent charges from women of color that white women whom they encounter are oppressive. I began to understand why we are just seen as oppressive, even when we don't see ourselves that way.

(Excerpt) Read more at seamonkey.ed.asu.edu ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Philosophy; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS: whiteprivilege
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Note that the author, Peggy McIntosh, is associate director of the Center for Research on Women at Hillary's alma mater, Wellesley College.

For doubters, I affirm that this is NOT a parody of white guilt. It was written by what passes for a serious scholar in the American academia of 2006.

1 posted on 03/09/2006 2:27:16 PM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
They may say they will work to women's statues, in the society, the university, or the curriculum, but they can't or won't support the idea of lessening men's.

Do you know what this sentence means?
2 posted on 03/09/2006 2:29:47 PM PST by andyk (Go Matt Kenseth!)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

I encourage folks to click on the link and continue reading. It gets 'better.' The author is pretty much ashamed of being alive.


3 posted on 03/09/2006 2:30:20 PM PST by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show Since 2002 So You Don't Have To.)
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To: andyk

Hmm, let's 'deconstruct' it.

I'm going to guess the author meant to say "They may say they will work to improve women's status in society", etc.

In other words, she seems advocate taking specific actions to decrease men's status!


4 posted on 03/09/2006 2:32:31 PM PST by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show Since 2002 So You Don't Have To.)
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To: andyk
They may say they will work to women's statues, in the society, the university, or the curriculum, but they can't or won't support the idea of lessening men's.

Are the statues nude or clothed?

5 posted on 03/09/2006 2:34:47 PM PST by VRWCmember (You are STILL safer hunting with Dick Cheney than riding in a car with Ted Kennedy!)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

She wrote it 16 years ago - I wonder if she's smartened up yet.


6 posted on 03/09/2006 2:35:14 PM PST by nina0113
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

I only ask that every woman remember, that almost all men were raised primarily by a women.

You want your "man" to be completely dependent on you, so too, will your son.


7 posted on 03/09/2006 2:36:09 PM PST by Smartaleck
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
I think whites are carefully taught not to recognize white privilege, as males are taught not to recognize male privilege. So I have begun in an untutored way to ask what it is like to have white privilege.

I was taught to respect people unless they proved to be not deserving of that respect!

8 posted on 03/09/2006 2:36:48 PM PST by rocksblues (John McCain says adopt a terrorist today!)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
even though they may grant that women are disadvantaged.

I don't consider myself disadvantaged. I consider myself incredibly blessed to be born/raised in a country that grants so many rights/privileges to all people. I'm guessing I'd fail her class.

9 posted on 03/09/2006 2:37:30 PM PST by Millee (Don't make me get out my voodoo doll out!)
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To: andyk

It means that she is "speaking truth to power".


10 posted on 03/09/2006 2:37:38 PM PST by Disambiguator (Unfettered gun ownership is the highest expression of civil rights.)
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To: andyk

I think she meant statures. That's the only word I can think of that makes sense and that's stretching it.


11 posted on 03/09/2006 2:38:11 PM PST by dljordan
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To: andyk

That was my question. I have read and re-read that and can't make it out. Now, I wish I had paid attention and learned to diagram sentences. If I had, I still wouldn't be able to understand the thing, but maybe it would be pretty when diagrammed.


12 posted on 03/09/2006 2:38:24 PM PST by trimom
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To: VRWCmember
I think this is what she was complaining about ;-)


13 posted on 03/09/2006 2:38:31 PM PST by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show Since 2002 So You Don't Have To.)
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To: nina0113

Hmm, I didn't notice that. It was posted just this week on a far-left listserv to which I surreptiously subscribe!


14 posted on 03/09/2006 2:39:53 PM PST by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show Since 2002 So You Don't Have To.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
This is also the basis for the "Whiteness" curricula that are currently staining academia.

Here's the deal - it's an invisible substance that is all around you everywhere - like ether in physics. Oh, ether is only imaginary? Good point...

15 posted on 03/09/2006 2:40:02 PM PST by Billthedrill
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To: VRWCmember
Are the statues nude or clothed?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>........
see how uncaring you are this is a very serious matter-
somehow womens issues just don't get any respect anymore. PS is she a babe or a NOW witch.
16 posted on 03/09/2006 2:43:41 PM PST by ConsentofGoverned (if a sucker is born every minute, what are the voters?)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Wow, this biatch not only drank the purple Kool aid, she has chosen to live in a vat of the stuff. An amazing glimpse into the thought processes of a loon.


17 posted on 03/09/2006 2:49:00 PM PST by BadAndy (I miss the days when people didn't celebrate their perversions.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
i guess this means i should drop my disguise as a poor, short white guy scraping by, and return to my life of privilege and leisure while having my manslave lick my jackboots as my wenches serve my needs.

somebody tell this ignorant b@tch to grow up.

18 posted on 03/09/2006 2:52:11 PM PST by pipecorp (Let's have a CRUSADE! , the muslims never stopped. a 2010 useless reply odyssey.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Hey Peggy McIntosh, STFU and get me a beer!


19 posted on 03/09/2006 3:09:25 PM PST by Looking4Truth (We in the U.S. know the rest of the world is nearly useless and we're sick of carrying their asses!)
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To: andyk

Maybe she meant stature?


20 posted on 03/09/2006 3:09:52 PM PST by kerryusama04 (The Bill of Rights is not occupation specific.)
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