White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

by Peggy McIntosh

This essay is excerpted from Working Paper 189. The working paper contains a longer list of privileges. This excerpted essay is reprinted from the Winter 1990 issue of Independent School.

Genres: Race, Social Justice, Nonfiction, Anti Racist, Sociology, Social Work, Politics

Unknown Binding

Published July 1, 1989

About the author

Peggy McIntosh, Ph.D. is an American feminist and anti-racism activist, the associate director of the Wellesley Centers for Women, and a speaker and the founder and co-director of the National S.E.E.D. Project on Inclusive Curriculum (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity).

McIntosh is most famous for authoring the 1988 essay "White Privilege and Male Privilege: A Personal Account of Coming to See Correspondences through Work in Women’s Studies."

Reviews

[Maughn Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't get the controversy (except I do get the right-wing denial of systematic racism and implicit bias); this all seems common sense--well researched, well-organized, common sense. Let's hope one day it really is common.

[Darci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quotes:

- "I was taught to see racism only in individual acts of meanness, not in invisible systems conferring
dominance on my group"
- "... one who writes about having white privilege must ask, 'having described it, what will I do to lessen or end it?'"
- "Disapproving of the system won't be enough to change them. I was taught to think that racism could end if white individuals changed their attitude. But a "white" skin in the United States opens many doors for whites whether or not we approve of the way dominance has been conferred on us. Individual acts can palliate but cannot end, these problems."

[Amanda Chiu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could definitely be more nuanced but is a great foundation for absolutely oblivious white people (boomers especially). That being said it’s also giving the vibe that it’s a pacifier for white guilt. Not my favourite but played an important role in the emergence of critical race theory and inaugurating discussions about white privilege.

[katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread:

"Whites are taught to think of their lives as morally neutral, normative, and average, and also ideal, so that when we work to benefit others, this is seen as work which will allow 'them' to be more like 'us.'"

"It seems to me that obliviousness about white advantage, like obliviousness about male advantage, is kept strongly inculturated in the United States so as to maintain the myth of meritocracy, the myth that democratic choice is equally available to all. Keeping most people unaware that freedom of confident action is there for just a small number of people props up those in power and serves to keep power in the hands of the same groups that have most of it already."

[cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a class assignment to read, but it was so good! it’s not necessarily dense or very educational but it’s so eye opening and something that many should read - any high school teacher should add this to their curriculum

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this years ago when it was assigned in an early college class. At the time, i think it didn't make much of an impression on me, and i don't know why. It's so good. It's clear and concise and well written. Anyway, I'm glad i reread it.