In "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" by author Peggy McIntosh, she lists the many ways that white people seem to be immune to racism that other races experience. She gives examples from her life of things she does that any other race would have to think twice about. White people in this country are not stereotyped the way that other races are. They do not live in fear of being a victim of racism because they are not used to that treatment. Being white is viewed as the norm in American society, while it is also a norm to treat anyone who is not white differently. McIntosh makes this clear in her observations of her personal life.
I believe McIntosh has a very valid point in the article. Whites tend to take for granted and not even realize how easily they can live their lives without the racism that others have to endure. We are viewed as the average person, and nobody will single out whites for that reason. White people get way more privileges than any other race because society has become accustomed to it. Nobody in society seems to think twice about the way they treat or view a white person.
With other races, anyone who is not white must constantly have their guard up for racism. They know that they will always be a victim, and therefore seek out even hints of racism. People in American society are very quick to automatically stereotype any race that is not white. These races are often stigmatized when they do not deserve to be.
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