Unpacking the Knapsack.docx

Unpacking the Knapsack Main points: Men will agree that woman have disadvantages but will not admit that they have advantages. Just as whites don?t see themselves as privileged. Males/white men and even women are unconsciously oppressive (almost like an innate quality). ?Whites are taught to think of their lives as morally neutral, normative, and average, and also ideal, so that when we work to benefit others, this is seen as work that will allow "them" to be more like ?us.?? Lists white privileges ?If these things are true, this is not such a free country; one's life is not what one makes it; many doors open for certain people through no virtues of their own.? Result of denying privileges exist? Triggers oblivious, unconscious abuse. Take advantage of all the privileges whites have over others. If people don?t acknowledge it, it will only get worse. What happens when you acknowledge privilege? Held accountable and must face it. Appreciate it more and realize how privileged truly are. Ability to change. Interlocking/intersecting? White females becoming more like males compared to black females. Race/gender/religion/sexuality/economic/age are following same path. Hard to change one without changing the other. Hard to pinpoint situation because of just one factor. Active forms vs. Embedded forms Active--clear examples of oppression, consciously aware Embedded?taught not to see, already in system, dominance is unconscious Myth of meritocracy? The myth that democratic choice is available to all. Keeping most people unaware that freedom of confident action is there for a small number of powerful people. Keeps power in the hands of the same groups that have most of it already. American Dream?if work really hard, successful no matter what *depends on certain barriers ?normal human rights? only granted to certain groups