Peggy McIntosh

In Peggy McIntosh's "White Privilege: Unpacking the invisible Backpack" the author deciphers the privilege she herself benefits from on a day to day basis. It's crazy because she starts out by noting that men are willing to note that women are at a disadvantage in society, but will not comment on how to reduce their own advantage. She does state that this perception is somewhat unacknowledged and that "much of their oppressiveness is unconscious." But when translating that over into white privilege, the lines get blurred. I never really thought of my privilege as being a straight male (probably because I've gotten so used to it I don't even notice it), this article is mind blowing because lately, I've been quick to say that due to my race I'm at a disadvantage in life, but have not stopped to think about the life of a woman. Just by being a woman in a male-dominated society she is at a disadvantage, and then add on the oppressed race to that woman's skin and it just doubles down even harder. I'm still a man you know, regardless of how they may perceive my color I still have advantages that women don't experience. I think it's because of how much society drills this notion of provider and caretaker. Ever since I can remember I've always been told that the man provides and the woman does the domestic duties, and this is the circle of life. So growing up naturally I found it odd when seeing a woman who did both. But as I grew older and started to break this crippling thought process I began to see how viperous and malicious these thoughts can be and have been. My mother is my provider and caretaker, she fills both rolls and I came out great(at least I think so anyway).