Question 1
McIntosh emerges as one of the great writers to write about what their people do to others despite she is an American. In her essay, white privilege: unpacking the invisible knapsack, she has come out clearly giving details of the white privileges she gets that other people of other skin colors might not have access to. These privileges have seen the Americans view life differently from the way other colored skins can view it. With the privileges, they see that things are normal and this has been used to maintain the myth of meritocracy where everyone is seen as having an equal opportunity and that democratic choice is equally available to all. This has kept many people unaware and has left power to s small number of people and they continue circulating as long as they have it all. She has outlined the privileges that she gets as a white skinned person and this has made many believe that they all have equal opportunity without knowing other races do not have access to such hence need to think and help them catch up with live so that they too enjoy the privileges. The power of white privileges that she gets include the fact that she never asked to speak on behalf of all people in her racial group, she finds it easy to let and purchase property where as its very difficult for other races.
Question 2
As a white American Christian well bodied person, I would not think of any privilege that I get without reading this article by McIntosh. Before, I thought it was normal to get what I get but after going through the article and looking what goes around, I can testify that I get many privileges that other people do not get. Through what I see in politics, I believe and see that I have higher privilege when it comes to political situation than my female counterparts. These privileges are hidden and not shown but they are there. Politics involve a lot and people including women find themselves voting for men rather than women and this give me an advantage of winning when fighting with women. This is why we find many male in senate and national assembly without forgetting that America has had many male presidents than female ones. The skin color is another issue that we opt not to talk on but this has given me advantage in many situations. Even when outside America, the treatments given determines a lot on skin color since the whites are seen as superpowers. This has made people from other races get few share in world appointments and leadership silently without seeing that it’s the skin color that has put in those positions. My nationality and citizenship has played a very important role giving me privileges wherever I go. America cares for its citizens and will always strive to keep us safe from any form of terrorism and issues affecting us. Even if it is not said, we are given opportunities to go to best schools and become the best we can because our country cares. With religion and able body, I don’t think it has given me any privilege. This has been neutral since I see Muslims and Christians given same treatments even in appointments. As for being well bodies, America is very instrumental in giving people with disabilities better privileges so that they can catch up with others. In fact the government ensures they get the best and will always benefit from anything offered as they are given priorities in whatever they do.
Question 3
Having known that I have some privileges that other people especially other skin color and women don’t have, I will use this opportunity and help people like McIntosh achieve their dreams of educating people and making them aware that there is something that need to be done. People are acting ignorantly without knowing that others are suffering due to their acts and lack of knowledge. It is important to be a good person and help in redefining the way we interact and vie others. It is better for me to lack rather than continue using unearned advantage to indirectly oppress other people who cannot acquire what I was able to get because of the skin color, race and gender. I will use the privileges positively to uplift those who cannot get to where we are. Even if it means going for influential and political positions to do that, I will. This one will be achieved only through educating and giving knowledge so that people can view the world differently and stop misusing their unearned privileges.
It is therefore important to use the knowledge acquired after going through the work of McIntosh and other writers to help in improving the well being of the society by bringing equality. Lets avoid discrimination by skin color, race, gender and sexual orientation.
Work cited
Cooks Leda M., and Jennifer S. Simpson. Whiteness, Pedagogy, Performance: Dis/Placing Race. Lexington Books. 2008. Print
McIntosh, Peggy. White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack. 1989. Print
