The article, "Unpacking the Knapsack of Privilege" by Peggy McIntosh,emphasis the struggles of individuals ignoring white privilege and male privilege as an issue to women and minorities alike. I found it interesting that many are willing to help strengthen a women's privilege, but continue to undermine the power of male privilege. Not to mention, the insight of a white individual that was taught that race could be seen as a disadvantage, but not that white privilege was considered an advantage above others. However, as a Hispanic female, I do have privilege in various areas,such as being in the '"normal" categories of able-bodied, socioeconomic standing, and heterosexuality etc. Hopefully, in the near future,individuals can acknowledge their advantage of privilege to reconstruct a equal power system, as stated by McIntosh.
Moreover, the reading on "Who am I?" by Beverley Daniel Tatum, emphasizes how individuals can be shaped by many factors, such as family dynamics, social and political influences etc. Not to mention, she depicts two groups characterized as the "dominant" group and the "subordinate" group. The dominant group is considered to be the "normal" scale for humanity, while the subordinate group is considered to be inferior. The dominant groups would refer to being white, or able-bodied, christian, heterosexual etc. In perspective, I concur with Tatum's belief that if we all excepted our identities then we would have a strong alliance and it could set us all free.
To conclude, in "Is Race Real?", the statement "Race is a Modern Idea" came as a bit of a surprise. There have been many examples of dominant and subordinate groups in past history, but that was by class,religion, status etc. However, now in modern society, we place value on our physical appearance, thus creating negative ideals.Although, it's now the 21st century and our minds are evolving and, hopefully, one day we can embrace all identities.
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