CRJ #2 - White privilege and its effects

Most people from the American culture are extremely aware of their image and will not support any idea that may put them in a negative spotlight. I think it is easier to grant that others are disadvantaged than to admit being over privileged because it is easier to show pity for others than to admit that that one has unearned advantage. By only focusing on the disadvantaged people take scrutiny, a dangerous situation for one’s image, off of themselves and direct people’s attention to trying to help the disadvantaged. I also think that through history, the proud American has had to endure a time of struggle before working hard enough to succeed. Many people want to feel that they also have had this hard life and had to overcome many obstacles to come out on top; it seems a part of American tradition. If one were to acknowledge that he or she is over privileged than this romanticized image of a hard-working American could not be true.

I actually didn’t believe the idea of being over privileged myself until reading McIntosh’s article where she describes some of the daily effects of white privilege in her life. I agree with her that “whites are carefully taught not to recognize white privilege” (pg 91) so I think people need to be understanding of the fact that whites truly do no know, but whites need to begin to acknowledge it. McIntosh describes this white privilege as an, “invisible package” because it holds countless advantages which whites are aware of but pretend not to be. Other races can see this package and know that it is full of unearned assets and they are likely not to receive a similar box. Most times when I think of privilege I think about the privileges afforded to me as a woman over men. Things as simple as not paying a cover charge when I go out or getting extra help from the operators when I worked at a refinery. I do recognize that it is a privilege; however, I don’t think it gives women an edge over men. I think male privileges such as higher pay and quicker promotions have a much greater impact on moving them up in society.

I think most people pretend to be unaware of white privilege because they want themselves and others to believe that the only reason for their economic success is because they pulled themselves of by their bootstraps. This myth portrays that success is “a result of hard work and ambition and asserts that people, if properly motivated and willing to work hard, can pull themselves up by their bootstraps” (pg 70). People want others to think they worked hard to achieve success and not that it was simply handed to them on a silver platter. This myth insinuates that people that are not as successful must have some deficiency and causes people to overlook the fact that there are “societal forces that shape people’s existence and maintain classism” (pg 70). Society uses this myth to justify that since all people have the possibility to reach the same level, the only reason for not reaching that level is not trying hard enough. This prejudice is able to perpetuate because society internalizes oppression. Shaw and Lee describe, “Internalizing oppression means that we not only police ourselves but also police one another, encouraging compliance with institutions that may oppress” (pg 71). The effect of this is that it will cause many people to gang up against a certain target group and even encourage or justify hostility towards the group.

One group that experiences much aggression is the homosexuals. Society sets the norm that all people should be heterosexual; if they are not, then society has a fear and hatred for their homophobic sexual desires. Lesbians are perceived as someone who has denied sexual and economic dependence on a man. Therefore, a lesbian “is perceived as a threat to the nuclear family, to male dominance and control, to the very heart of sexism” (pg 88). This explains the close relationship seen between sexism and homosexuality. It seems to almost force people to accept and become heterosexuals; otherwise, you do not fit in with society. Being named a lesbian threatens all women mostly because of lesbian baiting. Pharr explains, “Lesbian baiting is an attempt to control women by labeling us as lesbians because our behavior is not acceptable, that is, when we are being independent…any woman who steps out of role risks being called a lesbian” (page 88). A lesbian cannot be physically identified, so women cannot deny or confirm being a lesbian from a physical inspection. This portrays why many people equate the words feminist and lesbian. Lesbians and feminists are both seen as those who deny the necessity of men and therefore are a threat to male dominance; to some people this makes them one in the same.