Allen 1

Ethan Allen

DeBock

English IV Honors

09/28/17 Commented [1]: Spell out date

Essential Question: What is white privilege and how does it affect society? Commented [EA2R1]:

Working Thesis: White privilege is defined as people benefitting from unearned privileges

based on the color of their skin. As a result, modern society is set in such a way that it puts those

with light-colored skin at an unfair advantage.

Refined Thesis: White privilege is people benefitting from unearned privileges based on the

color of their skin, sexual orientation, or gender. As a result, western society is construed in such

a way that it puts these people at an unfair advantage.

Campos, Paul F. "White Economic Privilege Is Alive and Well." New York Times,

30 July 2017, p. 3(L). Opposing Viewpoints in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A499528032/OVIC?u=scschools&xid=f71c3843.

Accessed 28 Sept. 2017.

Paul Campos article describes the economic climate in modern day America Commented [3]: Indent summary paragraphs
Commented [EA4R3]:
between black Americans and white Americans. To elaborate, Campos compares

the income gaps between the two races of modern day to the income gaps of the two

groups fifty years ago. Interestingly enough, the income gap has remained the same

over the period of time. While the article does bring up other points about how

white privilege affects modern society, it also brings up an idea that has not been

thoroughly researched enough. To elaborate, Campos also brings up the theory of

the prison-industrial complex that is an excellent example of white privilege in

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modern society. Campos article will support the existence of white privilege as an

actual issue and could lead to a description of the prison-industrial complex.

Coyle, Jack. Understanding White Privilege. (Cover Story). Teen Ink, vol. 26, no.

4, Dec. 2014, p. 12. Points of View Reference Center, EBSCOhost,

scsl.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=discus&url=http://search.ebscohost.com.scsl.idm.oclc.o

rg/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pwh&AN=103453709&site=pov-live. Accessed 28

Sept. 2017.

Jack Colyes article provides an explanation of white privilege as well as

examples of the phenomenon in modern day America. The examples themselves

mainly have to do with unarmed persons of color being murdered by police officers

in the United States. These examples can provide linkage to the Black Lives Matter

movement, a strong supporter of the idea of white privilege. However, the article

also provides further linkage to the economic gap between black americans and

white americans. Colyes article will therefore provide further evidence of the

existence of white privilege and an easy-to-understand explanation of the concept of

white privilege.

Horan, Daniel P. It's Been a Privilege. America, vol. 214, no. 9, 14 Mar. 2016, p.

31.Points of View Reference Center, EBSCOhost,

scsl.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=discus&url=http://search.ebscohost.com.scsl.idm.oclc.org/l

ogin.aspx?direct=true&db=pwh&AN=113536539&site=pov-live. Accessed 28 Sept.

2017.

While Daniel Horans article at first may seem as an opinion article attacking

Donald Trump, it moves away from that specific topic and shows the reader the
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perspective of a white, male in America when it comes to white privilege. Horan also

writes about the essay that encouraged him to write the article. The essay, named White

Privilege and Male Privilege provides further examples of white privilege in America.

Not only this, Horans article provides a solution to the idea of white privilege. The idea

being, of course, not to remain silent when one is faced with the reality of white

privilege.

Roberts, Tom. Confronting White Privilege. National Catholic Reporter, vol. 44,

National Catholic Reporter Publishing Company, 21 Mar. 2008, p. 24. Points of View

Reference Center,

scsl.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=discus&url=http://search.ebscohost.com.scsl.idm.oclc.org/l

ogin.aspx?direct=true&db=pwh&AN=31404993&site=pov-live. Accessed 28 Sept. 2017.

Tom Roberts writes about the effects of white privilege in the Catholic church and

the 2008 election. Not only this, Roberts elaborates on the history of white privilege and

its stem from segregation and other racist systems in the United States. Roberts continues

to explain the problem with people who dont believe white privilege is not a thing in

society. Roberts article provides a clear understanding of the effects of white privilege in

modern society. Also, the article provides several examples from an African American

womans point of view on the United States of Americas modern society, which

provides a black americans point of view on white privilege.

Wenger, Michael R. White Privilege. (Cover Story). Poverty & Race, vol. 22, no. 4,

July 2013, p. 1. Points of View Reference Center, EBSCOhost,

scsl.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=discus&url=http://search.ebscohost.com.scsl.idm.oclc.o
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rg/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pwh&AN=89380801&site=pov-live. Accessed 19

Sept. 2017.

Michael R. Wengers article was the first one sourced and properly cited. In

the article, Wenger explains why the concept of white privilege is so controversial

and why it should not be. Also, Wenger provides examples of how white privilege

has benefited white people in society. The article is useful because it provides

excellent examples of white privilege as a white, male in the United States. The

article also can be used to explain white privilege in depth. Lastly, Wengers article

can further be used to explain how Americans can change society and end white

privilege as a whole.

Wente, Margaret. "The original sin of white privilege." Globe & Mail [Toronto, Canada],

27 May 2017, p. F7. Opposing Viewpoints in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A492996159/OVIC?u=scschools&xid=b400a86c.

Accessed 19 Sept. 2017.

In Wente Margaret's article, the concept of white privilege is brought to Canada.

Margaret explains Justice Walkers sociology class, which teaches about white privilege.

Margaret criticizes the class at certain times in the article. However, Wente also explains

why the class is important in Canadas depicted racialized society. This article is

especially important because it can be used to better the working thesis and also shows

that white privilege is not specifically limited to the United States. Instead, the article

shows that white privilege is a western hemisphere problem, not just in the United States.