Study Questions for “White Privilege” (McIntosh)

1.       McIntosh contends that males and whites enjoy privileges that women and non-whites do not have. Do you think she is correct? Why or why not?

2.       What are your experiences of male or white privilege? Can you illustrate some of the 50 items on McIntosh’s list?

3.       McIntosh claims that meritocracy in the US is a myth (79). What is your experience of meritocracy in the US? Have you experienced situations where your race or gender was either an advantage or a disadvantage? Do people benefit from unearned advantages because of race or gender? How about in other areas? Can you think of examples of other types of privileging in addition to race and gender that occur in the US?

4.       McIntosh distinguishes between racism enacted in behavior and racism as "invisible systems conferring unsought racial dominance" (79). What does she mean by the latter? Have you had experiences with either type of racism? Do you think that racism can influence thought but not manifest in action or behavior?

5.       Would Emerson agree with McIntosh’s statement that “one’s life is not what one makes it” (78)? Would Socrates? Would Loury?