Debby Irving, in her book
Waking Up
White , introduces readers to Peggy McIntosh who has compiled a
list of ways she enjoys certain privileges because of being white.
McIntosh says, “I have chosen those conditions which I think in my
case
attach somewhat more to skin-color privilege than to
class, religion, ethnic status, or geographic location, though of
course all these other factors are intricately intertwined.” Some
samples from her list are below. More can be found
here.
I can if I wish arrange to be in
the company of people of my race most of the time...
If I should need to move, I can be
pretty sure of renting or purchasing housing in an area which I can
afford and in which I would want to live...
I can go shopping alone most of
the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or
harassed...
I can turn on the television or
open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely
represented....
When I am told about our national
heritage or about “civilization,” I am shown that people of my
color made it what it is...
Whether I use checks, credit cards
or cash, I can count on my skin color not to work against the
appearance of financial reliability...
I can swear, or dress in
second-hand clothes, or not answer letters, without having people
attribute these choices to the bad morals, the poverty, or the
illiteracy of my race....
I can do well in a challenging
situation without being called a credit to my race....
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