White privilege in this reading is like the unraveling of the truth behind the almost hidden notion that Caucasians have better liberty in their skin as compared to other races. The truth that many try to justify or even ignore or condemn is that white people in the United States are treated as the most superior of all races. Most of these individuals dare to disregard it. Peggy Mcintosh stated, “White privilege is like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports”. In a way, I beg to differ with this statement. There is this proverb that goes, “let those with eyes see, and those with mouth speak”. White privilege is not “invisible”, definitely not in this century. It is as clear as day. There are moments where I think people chose to let go of some situations they go through, not because they are scared, but for how damaging and traumatizing keeping such memories in mind could be. Male privilege is something also similar to white privilege. In both situations, both groups tend to turn a blind eye to the fact that they receive some special accommodation and/ or treatment in countless circumstances. Men attain certain levels of seniority in the workplace that may be almost impossible for a female. You would barely see police officers or even anybody who proclaims themselves as good bay watching and patriotic citizens to stop a white person in a nice-looking car, or promptly searching a white person to be certain they are “clean”. Peggy Mcintosh, the author of this reading is a white person, and she states so much in a list of what she could or will have because of the power she has in her skin color.
Oppression comes in so many ways and in so many different forms. There is no particular definition to ascribe the word oppression to, however it can be explained through some situations. Can we say the ongoing Islamophobia in so many Asian countries could be ascribed to oppression? Yes, we could. You are probably wondering what I am talking about. The country India, for example has banned Muslim girls from wearing their hijabs on University’s premises. They are not allowed to go to classes, and sometimes insulted or even suspended for doing what they have long being practicing and believing. In China, numerous Muslims have been placed in refugee camps against their wills and getting tortured or even killed. The examples I am giving may be out of contest from the reading, but they indeed explain the predicaments of oppression.
Hi Salima,
I see what you mean with saying white privilege is not invisible, and is clear as day here. I think that because white privilege is so prevalent in our lives since birth, it is so “normal” that some people are don’t acknowledge/believe in white privilege because they cannot recognize it, especially within themselves. I think that it is hard for people to acknowledge their privilege, because they would have to also acknowledge that their is a group that is suffering.
I think your examples of oppression explain the word very well. It paints a clear picture of minority groups being controlled and attacked because of their community identities.
I agree Oppression Comes in many different ways and Forms. I loved how you brought up Islamophobia in many Asian countries, this is definitely oppression. Muslims in China’s northwest region of Xinjiang are allegedly being held in prison-like camps for basically believing in Allah. Making people who believe in Allah in china Oppressed. I hope over time something is done about that !
I find it interesting how you compared white privilege to male privilege, both are not hidden in the way the system works/was created for them and how they are treated in society since birth (bonus if you are white cis male). I agree, when it comes to white privilege and male privilege a blind eye is turned and its often pushed aside/disregarded/debated because its the 21st century and we’ve made “more progress” and woman/poc can do more than they could 50 years ago and it is true to an extent. But if these last few years have taught us anything about the oppression of women and poc is that the “progress” we’ve made aren’t enough for the life or death situations and the he discrimination/opression women and poc continue to endure.
Hello Salima. I agree with you in a part of your comments about oppression and White Privileges but at the same time , I think a lot of. white people they don’t recognized their own privileges because for them is something normal , something they have since they birth, they don’t have idea about the comforts they have compare to others. Sometimes is normal because when you don’t know something is wrong you will keep doing it and you are not fault for that because you don’t have any idea.