Peggy Mcintosh's White Privilege

The creation of the white race was all a ploy by the rich that started in the 1600s, until it turned into reality and became one of the biggest social divides our country has ever seen. Before the 1600s, there was no significance placed on being white. But, as time went on, to avoid uprising from African American servants and white Europeans, the rich gave privileges to the white Europeans, creating the first divide based on skin color. The rich convinced the poor white people to fight against black slaves because their jobs were at stake. This created a sentiment of ‘we are better, we deserve these jobs more than them because of the color of our skin.’ The idea of white privilege grants many benefits to the white race, many of which aren’t …show more content…
It provides many benefits and advantages in everyday occurrences and situations. In White Privilege: Unpacking the invisible Knapsack, Peggy McIntosh lists many mundane activities that a white person has an advantage in because of skin color. A point that is constantly being reverted to in this piece, is the idea that as a white person, if you want something or desire it, you can have it and won’t be discriminated against or stereotyped. McIntosh’s last point on her list is, “I will feel welcomed and “normal” in the usual walks of public life, institutional and social” (McIntosh 2). This is a proof that there is no worry of being judged or discriminated against in any situation. There is a constant feeling of comfort and tranquility which proves as a perk that comes along with white …show more content…
He asserts that, “It also creates an intense anxiety, like a mental dysfunction, an emotional anxiety, and distress. If you are privileged after all, if you are the top dog, if you have all the advantage, you are constantly afraid of who’s gaining on you” (Wise 13). Along with privilege comes the idea that you are expected to be better than others. This creates a significant amount of pressure on individuals. Based on a report in 2016, by ____, the United States is ranked third worldwide when it comes to mental illness, distress, and anxiety. There is a sense of entitlement when it comes to white privilege, a feeling of deserving something just because of the color of your skin. This idea plays with the minds of whites everywhere, leaving them vulnerable to an inevitable breakdown when something doesn’t go there way or someone is doing better than they

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