My Invisible Knapsack
Peggy McIntosh identified some of the daily effects of white privilege after being “taught to see racism only in individual acts of meanness, not invisible systems conferring dominance on my group.” She identified these in what is now commonly referred to as “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.”
Below is my invisible knapsack: 1. I have the privilege of studying at a University in Scotland that enables me to be educated for five months in America for study abroad. 2. As a Scottish born resident, I realise that I have the privilege of free education up until I finish my undergraduate BSc in Criminology and Sociology. 3. I have the privilege of holding a British passport that allows me to travel freely in Europe. 4. I am born with a citizenship that will never be questioned. 5. I am privileged to have access to free and universal health care from the cradle to the grave, and realise that if I was born outside of Europe this would be costly. 6. I have the privilege of having easily accessed and cheap dental health care. 7. I have the privilege of being able-bodied, therefore am not limited with any movement. 8. I can be sure that I have no hereditary long-term, detrimental illness. 9. I have the privilege of having access to clean water. 10. I have the privilege of living in a country where inciting religious hatred is illegal. 11. I have the privilege of living in a country where guns are illegal and the laws are strict. 12. I have the privilege of living in a war-free country. 13. I can vote. Unlike criminals or those unregistered or disenfranchised. 14. I know that when I walk into a job interview I will not be discriminated against for my race. 15. I have the privilege of being from a non-religious family, therefore I am able to choose my partner and husband rather than them being chosen for me. 16. I have the privilege of being from a family where to parents raised me and are still alive. 17. I live in a society where my sexuality is enforced, never judged and accepted. 18. I have the privilege of always finding make-up brands to suit my skin tone, as the beauty industry is predominately white orientated. 19. I can be assured if I want to try a new sport at my University I will not be discriminated against regarding my gender or race. 20. I have the privilege of being from a middle-class background, therefore having disposable income to buy wants as well as needs.
By creating this inventory, it has allowed me to understand and fully comprehend the privileges I do and do not have. As I am from Scotland I have a comprehensive health care system that is free of charge and realise, now, having studied in America for the past four months that this is a monumental benefit and safety net. As I am white I realise that society’s ideologies and values are based upon the idea that my race is the superior one to others. Whilst this may not be enforced to this day, it continues to resonate throughout society.
References
McIntosh, P. (1988). “White Privilege and Male Privilege: A Personal Account of Coming To See Correspondences through Work in Women’s Studies”. Winter Issue of Independent School.
