Gabrielle Schwarz

EEX 4070 Article Review #1

05 September 2016
McIntosh P. (2010). White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, Seed Wellesley
Centers For Women, Some notes for Facilitators, Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, pp.
1-7.
Peggy McIntoshs article focuses mainly on this unseen perspective of White
privilege. The article breaks down a lot of the conditions people who are white may
take for granted (McIntosh, P., 2010). She also discusses the consequences, what we can
do to possibly fix the situation, and how to go over this topic in the classroom (McIntosh,
P., 2010).
I thought the article was eye opening, it reminded me of the topic of color
blindness which we discussed previously in my differentiation class last Spring here at
USF. McIntosh discusses how we are taught to not acknowledge the privilege and act
like it does not exist, which is why it continues to be prevalent (McIntosh, P., 2010).
Instead McIntosh discusses the importance of actively discussing and acknowledging
this, which is the only way we can truly get rid of white privilege (McIntosh, P., 2010).
I agree with McIntosh in the importance of actively discussing the topic
(McIntosh, P., 2010) . The other day we had a discussion in my management class, and I
brought up the idea of how ignorance brews hatred. How when parents decide to pull
their child out of class because they do not like the topic of discussion or try to protest to
get a topic removed from the curriculum they are really aiding in creating hate. In life
you are exposed to so many different ideas and views, and pulling kids out of these topics

is not preparing them. If students learned about topics and lifestyles and viewed people as
just that: people, privileged races may not exist. Lack of education and awareness is what
aids to create racial injustice, we may not agree with it, but when we do not talk about it
and simply turn our heads we are therefore creating it.
I can definitely use the ideas in McIntoshs article to open up discussion in my
classroom, and really help students to develop the ability to see a perspective separate
from their own (McIntosh, P., 2010). McIntosh discusses at one point focusing on
personal experience instead of opinions (McIntosh, P., 2010). I think this is a great
point I will bring into the classroom, as this allows students to better empathize with
others. Opinions can be difficult to understand and bitter at times, sharing a personal
experience will help others to see why that student feels a specific way versus just
hearing how the student feels (McIntosh, P., 2010). Allowing students to understand the
reason behind a certain viewpoint helps to create empathy and understanding.
Overall, I want my teaching approach to be bold and really provide all the
information students need to form their own opinions. Teaching this way may aid my
students in becoming citizens determined to actually make the difference, versus talk
about it. It will also hopefully hold students accountable to their ideas and opinions,
which is crucial when the goal is to make a difference, especially in terms of something
such as racial perspective. I know as someone who is in a teacher education program, I
have had many times where I was supposed to analyze and try to see if I had any
prejudices. Teaching in a way that allows students to evaluate themselves and really
guide their own self-reflections is important to me. Which really seemed to be what

McIntosh discussed when saying we must acknowledge white privilege (McIntosh, P.,
2010)
References:
McIntosh P. (2010). White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, Seed Wellesley
Centers For Women, Some notes for Facilitators, Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, pp.
1-7.