Tessa Saylor
EDU 6133 (5575)
Dr. Sink
09 October, 2011
Reflection on White Privilege
Last summer I found myself sitting in a circle discussing the lies we believe about ethnicity, race, and religion in a racial reconciliation training session. I could have not been more uncomfortable, answering questions about what traditions are carried out in my family, what biases I subscribe to, and what about my race makes me proud. The initial thought to each question sounding off in my head was, “I don’t know, I’m white!” Like Peggy McIntosh, who refers to her own lack of pride in her race in the article “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” I was taught not to be proud. I do not have ethnic traditions. I don’t subscribe to any culture but the church. Where did that leave me in the discussion? Firstly, I was left in tears. Secondly, I began to listen.
Listening to the biases we believe to be truth about other races, I heard this: white people are spoiled. When shining the light found in “White Privilege,” I would have to agree—that is, to a point—that white people are spoiled unknowingly through the possession of what McIntosh (1988) refers to as the invisible knapsack, a possession of “skin-color privilege” and “unearned assets,” even today (p.1). Two of the possessions that McIntosh lists, those beings numbers 12 and 23, resonate vibrantly in my own life. Number 12 states that a Caucasian person can “swear, or dress in second hand clothes, or not answer letters, without having people attribute these choices to bad morals, the poverty, or the illiteracy of my race,” and number 23 states that a Caucasian person can “choose public accommodation without the fearing that people of my race cannot get in or will be mistreated in the place I have chosen” (McIntosh, 1988, p.2). Only two years ago did I experience this first-hand. My best friend, who is not Caucasian, walked into a restaurant in an extremely wealthy and predominantly Caucasian town. That day, she wore a scarf on her head. You would not believe the noticeable stares and dirty looks we received. I was in shock! Never would I have ever even considered this possibility, let alone experience it if I had worn the same thing to a restaurant. We received terrible service, and left as soon as possible. Sadly, this is only one example. I could pages more examples, and how, at times, I have been guilty of the same.
Without realizing it, I think that I have unknowingly been an oppressor. I cannot tell you how many times I ask my friends about their hair. I am just fascinated with ethnically-diverse hair! How often, do you think, that I am ever asked about mine? How often does someone try to puff my hair, or make rude comments about weave? Never. While I have innocent intentions, I never realize how annoying and degrading at times it must be to turn people into a museum exhibit. Not that asking questions is a bad thing. But, I think we need to be sensitive to the manner in which we present our curiosity.
I also am curious though, how this idea of privilege works in reverse. Admittedly, I would not have known how many of these privileges I activate daily had I not had them taken away from me. This past summer, all of my friends were from urban, diverse backgrounds. I was the only small town girl in the group. As we spent time together daily, I started to experience insecurities I had never had. For example, I started to wonder if I said something if it would be considered “too white” or if I participated in a joke or manner of speaking, that I would be considered a fake. I had no real good reason to even have these emotions. These people loved me, and saw beyond my image to my heart. Yet, I admit would not have known how many of these privileges I activate daily had I not had them taken away from me. I have since struggled with these issues—and have reconciled them to myself only through Christ.
Christ is where I think I must begin as educator of racial/ethnic reconciliation in the public or private classroom. Though I know it is illegal to speak about religion, I do not think that using other sources of literature and media that draw upon Christ-like ideals could do any damage. I am reminded of and inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan, the man who crossed segregated boundaries so as to serve first a human, not a tradition or color. Implementing opportunities to read and discuss stories relating to these topics is important as well as creating scenarios where students can brainstorm and create their own stories concerning these topics. I think that is important to point out to students how even our best-intentioned actions can have hurtful consequences. How I will teach students how to put to rest white privilege is still a thought that needs mulled over for days, weeks, maybe years. I still do not completely understand how I activate it myself. But, I do believe that we must teach children and allow children to experience what it means to walk in another’s shoes. Perhaps, we create scenarios where those privileges no longer exist, and create an environment where we can all learn together.