Summary of the Article White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

Gloria Gargadi

PTH 5513: Multicultural Counseling and Social Justice in Systemic Family Therapy

Tunde Adenola

4th September, 2023

 The article "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" by Peggy McIntosh,

discusses various aspects of white privilege in society. It highlights the daily effects of white

privilege that often go unnoticed by white individuals. The author acknowledges that white

privilege is not limited to individual acts of meanness but is deeply ingrained in invisible

systems that confer dominance upon white people.

Peggy McIntosh begins by sharing her personal reflection on the daily effects of white

privilege in her own life. She emphasizes that these effects are more related to skin-color

privilege than other factors like class, religion, or geography. She points out that she can

enjoy several privileges, such as:

1. Being in the company of people of her race most of the time.

2. Avoiding interactions with people she was trained to mistrust.

3. Easily finding housing in areas she can afford and feels comfortable in.

4. Expecting neutral or pleasant interactions with neighbors.

5. Shopping without fear of harassment.

6. Seeing people of her race widely represented in the media.

7. Learning about national heritage from the perspective of her race.

8. Knowing that her children will have educational materials that reflect their race.

9. Having the opportunity to publish her thoughts on white privilege.

10. Being heard in a group where she is the only member of her race.

11. Speaking publicly without having her race put on trial.

12. Succeeding in challenging situations without being judged based on her race.

13. Never being asked to speak for all people of her racial group.

14. Remaining oblivious to the language and customs of people of color.

15. Criticizing the government or policies without being seen as a cultural outsider.

16. Engaging in various activities without being racially profiled.

17. Protecting her children from potential discrimination.

18. Not having to educate her children about systemic racism for their physical

protection.

19. Believing that her children's teachers and employers will tolerate them based on

norms rather than their race.

20. Speaking without fear of racial attribution for her behavior.

The article then provides a section titled "Admit It! I Can Fix It!" where it encourages

white individuals to admit the existence of race, racism, and white privilege. It emphasizes

the importance of self-awareness and encourages white individuals to listen to people of color

when they speak about their experiences with racism.

The article suggests various actions for white individuals to take, including:

1. Acknowledging that some of what they have is unearned.

2. Confronting their fears about losing privilege.

3. Reflecting on the possibility of non-white people gaining power.

4. Facing the fear of being seen and understood by non-white individuals.

The article concludes with the idea that these fears must be addressed and challenged for real

progress to occur in dismantling racial inequality. The article by Peggy McIntosh is a well-

known piece that has contributed to discussions about white privilege and racial awareness. It

encourages readers to recognize their own privilege and work towards a more equitable

society.