White Privilege Knapsack, McIntosh/ All Lives Matter
McIntosh argues that whites have privilege whether they realize it or not.
McIntosh starts the article by describing the lens in which whites have put on to block out the truth. The reality that is white privilege is covered by a veil to keep whites feeling "not guilty" in the trial of life. This cannot continue any longer and must be exposed to the light for true healing to begin. McIntosh then proceeds to say, "Describing white privilege
makes one newly accountable." She goes on to disprove the idea that whites don't have privilege by listing off all the privileges that we do have. Some of which are obvious, such as, "I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented." Anyone can notice that whites dominate T.V. shows and the media. But other privileges have remained much more subtle like,"I can swear, or dress in second hand
clothes, or not answer letters, without having people attribute these
choices to the bad morals, the poverty or the illiteracy of my race."
So what can be done about this? I think the first step is to admit there is a problem and remain vigilant for when this privilege is at work. It wasn't until Roose's article that I noticed I was taking part in the denial when claiming "All lives matter." This phrase is another method whites use to silence and ignore the issue at hand of police-on-black violence. Roose explains that the statement "Black Lives Matter" is a cry for help. It's a desperate plea hoping the one who hears it will listen and fight for the recognition of this evil tainting our society. Support for this statement is found in Jessa Damiani's passage which explains that "Black Lives Matter" is trying to highlight that currently there is evidence that black lives matter less in our current criminal justice system (why you're being a racist without realizing it .) This can only be combated by everyone joining together as humankind, leaving behind this mindset of inequality, and pushing forward with a zeal for impartiality.
Comment/Point to Share
McIntosh says, "Whether I use checks, credit cards or cash, I can count on
my skin color not to work against the appearance of
financial reliability." I relate to this quote specifically because I work in an area with such a low amount of black families that it is a rarity to see them walk into my workplace. I've become so accustomed to this that part of me pulls up a guard when I have black person or family as a table (I'm a waiter) even though I should be treating them like a normal person. I'm always prepared for their credit card to decline when I swipe it and I rush to the table when they are leaving to make sure they haven't stolen my pen. Why is it, that I have the presupposition that blacks are going to behave this way? Shouldn't I be on alert with every new face I see? I believe this can be correlated to the fact that they are so uncommon in that area, that I view them as a foreigner or something that doesn't belong. Maybe it's something I've learned from the media?
(By the way, I'm not a racist, and I have blacks friends and family members. I don't feel this way about every black person I see but rather only the ones that come into the restaurant where I work.)
McIntosh starts the article by describing the lens in which whites have put on to block out the truth. The reality that is white privilege is covered by a veil to keep whites feeling "not guilty" in the trial of life. This cannot continue any longer and must be exposed to the light for true healing to begin. McIntosh then proceeds to say, "Describing white privilege
So what can be done about this? I think the first step is to admit there is a problem and remain vigilant for when this privilege is at work. It wasn't until Roose's article that I noticed I was taking part in the denial when claiming "All lives matter." This phrase is another method whites use to silence and ignore the issue at hand of police-on-black violence. Roose explains that the statement "Black Lives Matter" is a cry for help. It's a desperate plea hoping the one who hears it will listen and fight for the recognition of this evil tainting our society. Support for this statement is found in Jessa Damiani's passage which explains that "Black Lives Matter" is trying to highlight that currently there is evidence that black lives matter less in our current criminal justice system (why you're being a racist without realizing it .) This can only be combated by everyone joining together as humankind, leaving behind this mindset of inequality, and pushing forward with a zeal for impartiality. Comment/Point to Share
McIntosh says, "Whether I use checks, credit cards or cash, I can count on
(By the way, I'm not a racist, and I have blacks friends and family members. I don't feel this way about every black person I see but rather only the ones that come into the restaurant where I work.)
Josh, I agree with a lot of what you said here. Especially the part when you said "It's a desperate plea hoping the one who hears it will listen and fight for the recognition of this evil tainting our society" about black lives matter. I think our society is a little messed up (or evil) in a bunch of different ways. The way these issues occur and not many people have the courage to speak about it is certainly one of them.
ReplyDeleteJosh, I enjoed reading your blog. I liked how you added your own opnion about what should be done about this problem. I completly agree with what you mentioned. The first step is to admit theres a problem. I feel like people may brush off isssues like this becuase it may be too difficult to talk about.
ReplyDeleteJosh, you did a great job explaining how white privilege is prevalent and white people aren't even aware of it (typically). I agree that we certainly have to do a better job of being vigilant when white privilege is at work in our society.
ReplyDeleteJosh, I really like the way you pieced together your thoughts. Going off about what you said about you working in a primarily white town, I too live in a mostly white town. It is important to be aware of the way we, ourselves, act to certain families. Realizing the problem is the most important part. I believe that one we all become aware and understanding that white privilege is most certainly present, than we can take bigger steps in moving forward.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you're saying especially about the part of "black lives matter" to "all lives matter". It does defeat the purpose of the saying because now everyone is counted in which puts the problems to the side when the saying was for blacks trying to get the help they need.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog but there is one thing that bugs me. Your final statement (By the way, I'm not a racist, and I have blacks friends and family members. I don't feel this way about every black person I see but rather only the ones that come into the restaurant where I work.) bugs me to some extent. comments like this are unnecessary in context like this. It's almost as if you are feeling guilty and trying to justify your actions. It is almost like when Obama became president and people would say "I'm not racist I voted for a black president.". You know who you are and you should not have to justify who you are as a person with statements like that.
ReplyDelete