White Privilege

The points that stuck out to me the most from the reading were numbers 12, 16, 17, 24, and 35.

Number 12 stuck out a lot to me because it represents how certain everyday wants and needs that we have can be very difficult to find if you aren't of the dominant culture. These things that should be easy to find can be difficult because everyone needs different things but all these needs can't be catered too. So the stores all cater to what is desired by the majority which just excludes many other groups of peoples.

Number 16 struck me because this is very saddening but its a reality for all parents who are of a minority. All children should have equal opportunity in America, its something that this country prides itself on, but in reality there are many individuals who don't adhere to this and treat children of minorities in a bad manner. This often results in a lot of stress in their parents because they constantly have to worry about the well being of their children simply because of the child's race which is something completely out of their control.

Number 17 struck me because it not only applies to just this example that she gives but to many other things as well. Often when a black person commits an act that is out of the norm or not considered to be polite, its often ignored or deemed acceptable just because of that persons race. This also applies to things like lateness because if a black person is late then its said to be ok or expected because that person is Black and therefore can't help it.

Number 24 also struck me because several times i've asked or seen people ask for the manager or person in charge and that person presented to me is white. And on the rare occasions where the person is not white i've seen surprised looks of disbelief on the faces of the person asking. It clearly shows that their is this expectation for the white person to be the one in charge since he is the one of the dominant culture. But this does not provide a lot of hope for equality because how can there be equality in the work place if the person in charge is almost always white and therefore can't identify with his employees.

Number 35 struck me since its something that is a very pressing issue that I will face in the work place as well as the schools and universities that I will be applying to for college. Often people who are of a minority may have their intelligence questioned and may not be seen as credible because its often assumed that the only reason they got the job was due to affirmative action. This isn't fair to the employees who are hired because they may or may not be hired due to affirmative action but regardless this shouldn't have an effect on how they're treated.

All these things often are taken for granted because they're so small and over looked by the majority of people who don't have to put up with not being able to have these privileges. Also many of the other points that McIntosh struck me simply because I'm black and often experience these things so it comes as no surprise that these points really resonate with me.