Article Summary of White Privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack - McIntosh - 1989

This text is about privilege and the unwillingness to acknowledge it. Men are often unwilling to acknowledge their overprivileged position, even though they may recognize that women are disadvantaged. Men may express support for improving the status of women, but they often resist the idea of reducing their own privileges. Denials and taboos surround the discussion of advantages that men gain from women's disadvantages, protecting male privilege from being fully acknowledged, addressed, or eliminated.

McIntosh, the author of this article, is a white woman. She reflects on her own experience as a white person and how she was taught to see racism as a disadvantage for others but was not taught to recognize white privilege, which confers advantages upon her. She describes white privilege as an invisible package of unearned assets that she can rely on every day but was taught to remain oblivious to. This privilege includes various aspects such as representation in media, access to housing and education, protection from discrimination, and being seen as the norm in society.

She acknowledges that recognizing and describing white privilege brings about a sense of accountability. Similar to efforts in women's studies to unveil male privilege and encourage men to relinquish some of their power, acknowledging and addressing white privilege requires action. In this article, the need to reflect on one's own privilege and consider how to reduce or eliminate it is emphasized.

Many privileged individuals are unconscious regarding their oppressiveness. McIntosh herself has explored the ways in which she herself enjoys unearned privileges based on her skin color and how she has been conditioned to be oblivious to their existence. She points out the lack of education on recognizing oneself as an oppressor or as part of an unfair advantage in society.

There are lots of situations in which a white woman benefits from her race. These include being in racially homogeneous company, avoiding mistrust and discrimination, finding housing in desirable areas, being represented in media, having access to education and resources, and numerous other advantages that she can count on due to her skin color.

McIntosh notes that she had initially taken these conditions for granted and did not see them as negative for herself. However, some forms of privilege contribute to dominance and reinforce existing hierarchies. She suggests distinguishing between positive advantages that can be spread and negative advantages that perpetuate inequality. For instance, the feeling of belonging within the human circle should be a shared entitlement rather than a privilege for a few.

It is important to recognize and address unearned advantages and conferred dominance associated with race, sex, and other identity markers. Individuals should examine how these privileges affect daily life and should confront their own privileges, be it related to race, age, class, religion, or other factors. Dominant groups are often taught not to see their privilege, but it is important to unravel embedded forms of advantage.