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Recommended: Brief history of racism
The “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” McIntosh begins her essay portraying the unwillingness of men to admit that they are over privileged. Even those who are willing to admit that women are at a disadvantage have a problem admitting their privilege. McIntosh realizes that this denial of privilege does not only apply to gender but to race as well. She realizes that white people including herself are thought to view racism as something that puts others at a disadvantage but have never had to considered an aspect of racism that befits them; white privilege. Although being a woman puts McIntosh at a disadvantage she realizes that by not acknowledging her privilege she is unintentionally oppressing others as well.
The major thesis in this book, are broken down into two components. The first is how we define racism, and the impact that definition has on how we see and understand racism. Dr. Beverly Tatum chooses to use the definition given by “David Wellman that defines racism as a system of advantages based on race” (1470). This definition of racism helps to establish Dr. Tatum’s theories of racial injustice and the advantages either willingly or unwillingly that white privilege plays in our society today. The second major thesis in this book is the significant role that a racial identity has in our society.
The section of “White Woman, Black Man” further delves into his views of white women and the role that society has in shaping gender relations between black men and white women and also in influencing masculinity and femininity.
In reading Meet the poster child for “white privilege” – then have your mind blown, and, To the Princeton Privileged Kid, I can say that I somewhat see and agree with both points of view. I think that both have in some way miss interpreted what the other is saying. It amazes me how people don’t want to take matters into their own hands, and always find the need to have someone to blame for their issues, and shortcomings. Instead they just keep spewing out hate. Hate breeds hate, and we can 't keep fighting it all with more hate.
In the late 90s, racism is still intact, As time goes on interracial diverse and people have grown to withstand racism. In "Seek Success: Marry Someone like yourself," an article by Sue Richardson in The Dallas Morning News published, March 14, 1993, describes the chances of happiness is zero to nothing in a relationship that has interracial or "too many differences". In the article, Richardson 's purpose is to persuade the couple to look for "sameness" in their dates and avoid at all cost opposites with great differences. She is persuading her readers to encourage the youth into steering away from the interracial relationship as they mature. In the article, she does this in criticizing tone.
I sometimes get irritated when people don’t agree on the same ideas that I have or when the other person says something that I don’t agree with. The objective of this chapter made me comprehend that based on an individual’s experiences and viewpoints impacts the person’s behavior. Some experience may deal with the oppressions and privileges a person has, the article “Explaining White Privilege to a Broke White Person…” made me realize that I am more privilege than what I thought. The author didn’t think she was privilege until she read a book she got recommended and from her article she summarizes
This is particularly true in the 21st century, as the country continues to grapple with institutionalized racism and its lasting effects. In her article, “The Day I Passed for White,” Kelly McWilliams speaks to the personal, emotional experience of being a light-skinned Black woman and unintentionally passing for white. She writes, “people who looked like me passed in order to survive in a racist land” (McWilliams). But they paid a high price for that devil's bargain. They lost touch with their Black communities and abandoned the strong legacy which has helped us survive as a people.
Fahad Albrahim Response 1: Review/Summary: “Whiteness as property” is an article written by Cheryl Harris, in which she addresses the subject of racial identity and property in the United States. Throughout the article, professor Harris attempts to explain how the concept of whiteness was initiated to become a form of racial identity, which evolved into a property widely protected in American law (page 1713). Harris tackles a number of facts that describe the roots of whiteness as property in American history at the expense of minorities such as Black and American natives (page 1709). Additionally, Harris describes how whiteness as property evolved to become seen as a racial privilege in which the whites gained more benefits, whether
White Privilege: Essay 1 White privilege is a systemic issue that has roots in our history as far back as the creators of our country. Searching back, we see our norms and values created into habits that have been woven into how we view and act around specific groups such as African Americans. This essay is going to explain how the average Caucasian individual experiences white privilege on a day to day basis and the solutions to insure that white privilege will stop and true equality can be handed out. This paper views the latter issues through symbolic interactionism, with supporting sub theories such as; labeling theory, looking glass self, and selective perception.
Moreover, demonstrate consequences are taken to oppress racial and ethnic minorities to keep them in a subservient position. Overall, this film has provided me with a visual depiction of how stereotypes are a mental tool that enforces racial segregation and self-hate. The label of “White” became a necessity for Sarah Jane to achieve in society. To attain it she needed to move to a new city, change her name and deny her mother.
In the essay, “A Genealogy of Modern Racism”, the author Dr. Cornel West discusses racism in depth, while conveying why whites feel this sense of superiority. We learn through his discussion that whites have been forced to treat black harshly due to the knowledge that was given to them about the aesthetics of beauty and civility. This knowledge that was bestowed on the whites in the modern West, taught them that they were superior to all races tat did not emulate the norms of whites. According to Dr. West the very idea that blacks were even human beings is a concept that was a “relatively new discovery of the modern West”, and that equality of beauty, culture, and intellect in blacks remains problematic and controversial in intellectual circles
However, the speaker can’t do anything to change their situation because the things commented on are traits they were born like their skin color. Finally, many people believe that “the ambition of the racist language is to denigrate and erase” people (49). However, philosopher Judith Butler suggests that it is actually a chance to stand out and engage with others. Since racist language targets the visibility of people, it gives people ways to show their presence as well. While being racist is not good, it also lets people be under the spotlight.
People see whiteness because they experience its effects. A useful comparison can be drawn between the unrecognised privileges of males, and those of white people (McIntosh, 1988). It is not unusual for men to acknowledge that women are disadvantaged. With that said, McIntosh (1988) argues that white privilege is in the same manner without recognition and thus preserved. McIntosh (1988) views white privilege as an invisible collection of unearned assets that is of benefit to white people on a daily basis.
I agree with the author that society is mostly unaware of the courteous granted to white people. The think that is just how it is. On the other hand, it is my opinion that people of color don’t realize the hardships and burden that a lot of white people face. It is not a one size fits all bag. The people of color think it is only directed at them.
Sexism and racism are two things which have been a big issue within human society for many years. In the past sexism and racism were both extreme phenomenon which had no boundaries. Racism is still prevalent in today’s day and age, however, it is not as bad as it once was. As Peggy McIntosh spoke about in White Privilege and Male Privilege, in 1988, there are many examples of white privilege which was going on in her time. For example, she stated how as a white you do not have to be scared others will not take your advice because of your race.