Allison Williams

9/20/21

GWS 100

Section 170W

Introduction of my response to Keona Malcolm’s snapshot

I believe that Keona Malcolm is right because the snapshot depicts two different races with the white man being given respect while the black man being denied his rights. The article called “White Privilege: Unpacking The Invisible Knapsack” describes how white men in general refused to acknowledge white privilege. The two men are basically shown in the same suit, and it appears that the author made both of them apply for the same job. They received letters in which the white man is happy because they accepted him as an employee and the black man was upset because they refused to accept him. The author Peggy McIntosh mentions about how some races going through tough times just because they are not white, and how they are more likely to be stalked or harassed in public due to racism. Another example is that she mentions that they have to watch their skin color since other people might be mean to them because of the way they look. I do want to express my thoughts and experiences about privilege. For example, a month ago online I saw a video about an African tourist who was being attacked by a Chinese mob in the street because he looked different than them and the Chinese government blamed Africans as the cause of the corona virus. It made me disappointed in people, that they could be so cruel and racist. They were abusing other human beings.

Another obvious thing in the snapshot is there a white sun and a black cloud over the guys’ heads. Both of these symbols express the mood of each man. The black cloud represented emotional darkness for the man who was denied the job while the sun basically represents happiness for the other man who was given the job. In the second article “Oppression“, author Marilyn Frye talks about the consequences of people opposing others and the situation of white privilege itself and how it is oppressive. Another thing I found interesting in the article “Oppression” was the idea that men can be oppressed like women. For example the author states, “The statement that women are opposed is frequently met with the claim that men are oppressed too. We hear that oppressing is oppressive to those who oppress as well as to those they oppress. Some men cite as evidence of their oppression their much-advertised inability to cry.” Here we are reminded that oppression happens because of gender in addition to race. Men seem to be oppressed emotionally sometimes. I feel terrible about men not having the ability to express their emotions. I never thought about that before. This article made see how we oppress so many groups. We base the oppression on race and gender and other things too I’m sure. I am so fortunate to never have been oppressed before like that. I am glad as a female I am able to cry and express myself. Every person should be able to do that. That is a right we have as people.