White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack (abbreviated)

~​ ​Peggy McIntosh

"I was taught to see racism only in individual acts of meanness, not in invisible systems
conferring dominance on my group"

I think whites are carefully taught not to recognize white privilege. I have come to see
white privilege as an invisible package of unearned assets that I can count on cashing in each
day, but about which I was "meant" to remain oblivious. White privilege is like an invisible
weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools, and
blank checks.
Much of our oppressiveness is unconscious which is why whites are seen as oppressive,
even when we don't see ourselves that way. My schooling gave me no training in seeing myself
as an oppressor, as an unfairly advantaged person, or as a participant in a damaged culture. My
schooling followed the pattern my colleague
Elizabeth Minnich has pointed out: 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."
I began to count the ways in which I enjoy unearned skin privilege and have been
conditioned into oblivion about its existence.

Daily effects of white privilege

I decided to try to work on myself at least by identifying some of the daily effects of white
privilege in my life. I have chosen those conditions that 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. As far as I can tell, my African
American coworkers, friends, and acquaintances with whom I come into daily or frequent
contact in this particular time, place and time of work cannot count on most of these conditions.
1. I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.
2. I can be pretty sure that if I ask to talk to the "person in charge", I will be facing a person
of my race.
3. I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed
or harassed.
4. I can go into a supermarket and find the staple foods which fit with my cultural traditions.
5. I can go into a hairdresser's shop and find someone who can cut my hair.
6. When I am told about our national heritage or about "civilization," I am shown that
people of my color made it what it is.
7. I am never asked to speak for all the people of my racial group.
8. I can be late to class without having the lateness reflect on my race.
9. I can take a job with an affirmative action employer or be accepted into an elite
college without having people suspect that I got it because of my race.
10. If a traffic cop pulls me over I can be sure I haven't been singled out because of my
race.
 11. I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my
race widely represented.
12. I can easily buy posters, post-cards, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys and
children's magazines featuring people of my race.
13. I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my race.
14. I can chose blemish cover or bandages in "flesh" color and have them more or less match
my skin.
15. I can think over many jobs: social, political, imaginative or professional, without
asking whether a person of my race would be accepted or allowed to do what I want
to do.

Questions:
1. Are you privileged? Does the color of your skin make your life easier or harder?
Were you taught not to recognize white privilege?
a. I think that I am a little privileged. I’ve never been harassed or bullied
because of the color of my skin. I do not think that the color of my skin is
a disadvantage to me at all. I am not white, but I do not face the racial
discrimination that many African Americans do.
2. If you could, would you be willing to change your race? Why? Why not?
a. I would not be willing to change my race. I am very proud of being an
Indian and of my culture and heritage. I would not want to change it for
any reason, especially when it does nothing to hurt me.
3. Is racism more about individuals doing bad things (bad apples) or about an invisible
system that gives more power to one group (a bad barrel)?
a. I think that there is an invisible system that gives one race more power
over the others. It is apparent that white people have more power than
colored people. If a white man robbed a bank, no one would blame it on
his race. They would just say that he was a bad seed. On the other hand,
if a black man robbed a bank, people would use that as evidence that all
black people are trouble makers.
 Wonder Summary

August, Auggie, Pullman is a ten year old boy living with a facial deformity. He has been
homeschooled by his parents all his life, until his parents decide to send him to Beecher Prep, a
private school, in fifth grade. They take him to school for a tour and to meet with the principal
when Auggie meets some of the other students. Jack Will is one of the nicer children, while
Julian is quite mean and rude.
Once school starts, Auggie begins to get closer to Jack Will and a girl named Summer.
The other students are still rude and say that if you touch him, you will get the plague. No one
besides Jack Will and Summer will get near him and this makes Auggie feel different and awful.
On Halloween. Auggie is really excited because he gets to wear his Bleeding Scream
costume and a mask so no one can judge his face. While walking to class, he overhears Jack Will
talking to some friends. Unaware that Auggie is nearby, he says that if he looked like Auggie, he
would kill himself.

The book then shifts to Auggie’s older sister Via’s point of view. Via is just starting high
school and is dealing with the death of her closest relative, her grandmother. She feels that to her
parents, the world revolves around Auggie and that she is always put on the backburner. All the
while, she has to face her school problems too. Her best friends have started ignoring her and she
feels more alone than ever. She eventually meets some new friends and settles into their new
group.

Then comes Summer’s perspective. She is a genuinely nice girl and wants to be friends
with Auggie. She and Auggie grow closer as he drifts apart from Jack. When Jack asks her why
Auggie is mad at him, all she says is “Bleeding Scream.”

The next point of view is Jack’s. The story goes back to the first tour of the school when
the principal asks Jack to be friends with Auggie. Unlike most other Beecher Prep students, Jack
is not very wealthy and has his own struggles.
The story then skip back to the present and Jack figures out why Auggie is mad at him.
He feels awful because he was trying to be popular and fit in with the boys like Julian. One day,
Julian says something about Auggie that makes Jack really mad, and her punches him in the face.
After many apologies, Jack and Auggie become friends again.

Justin, Via’s new boyfriend, is the new subject of the story. His parents just divorced, so
he spends lots of time with Via and her family. He is very nice to Auggie when they first meet
and Justin seems like a good guy.
During auditions for the school play, Justin gets the male lead, while the female lead is
Miranda, Via’s ex-best friend, with Via as the understudy.
 The story switched back to Auggie’s perspective. The kids have become nicer as they
have begun to tire of the war between Julian and Jack, but life at home has become harder.
Auggie finds out the Via is hiding her involvement with the play from him, because she doesn’t
want her deformed brother to come. During the fight, their dog Daisy gets sick and they have to
put her down. This is devastating for the family.
They all end up going to Via’s play, and to their surprise Via is the lead! Miranda got
sick and wan unable to perform, so Via stepped in.

It turns to Miranda’s perspective next. Over the summer, Miranda was going through a
lot, so at summer camp, she pretended she had Via’s life and lied saying Auggie was her little
brother, to gain popularity. This is why she had been ignoring Via all this time. When she sees
Via’s family in the audience on the night of the play, she pretends to be sick so that Via can
preform. She and Via make up and become friends again.

The last point of view of the book is Auggie again. His class goes on a sleep away trip,
which is a first for Auggie. He has never spent a night away from his family before. On the
second night, Jack and Auggie sneak out into the woods to use the bathroom, when they are
attacked by kids from another school that are older than them. They make fun Auggie and harass
him when some of Auggie’s old bullies come to defend him.
At the end of the book, everyone starts to want to be Auggie’s friend. At graduation, he
receives an award for his kindness and courage.
Quandry Levels 1-3
Actual Jim Crow Literacy Tests
Take one of the following literacy tests below. Then,​ ​write a brief reflection​ (½ page) on the
experience of taking the test and ​answer the questions​ provided.

Questions:

1. Should the U.S. use literacy tests to determine who is eligible for voting, immigration, or other
government services (such as the Army)? Why?
2. Name one fact/issue that you think every American should know (immigrant or native born).
3. What does the literacy test you took imply about being “American”?
4. Consider the time period of these literacy tests. What do you think was the states’ goal or
purpose in having this test?
5. Do you feel more or less “American” after taking this test? Why?

1. The US should not use literacy tests to determine who is eligible for voting,
immigration, and other such services because it is unnecessary information to know.
As a US citizen you have full rights to vote and nothing should block you from doing
so. As for immigration, if you were moving to Sweden for example, would you be
able to answer those questions about their government? It is completely unnecessary
and should not be done. And if you want to serve your country, why should you be
stopped just because you do not know which part of the government can levy taxes.

2. I think everyone should know the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. The
Constitution is such an important piece of our country and it was what America was
built on, so everyone should know the main ideas of it. As an American, you should
know your rights and the rights of everyone else in the country. This you can take
full advantage of the things we are promised and can never be tricked into less.

3. The literacy test implies that I am not an American because I do not know random
facts about our government. This is an awful way to gauge how “American” you
are. Most US citizens don’t know most of the questions about how the government
works. It is ridiculous to base the validity of citizenship on these tests.

4. The state’s goal for these test was to make sure that African Americans could not
vote. They knew there was nothing really separating whites from them, so they had
to make something up. Hence, the literacy tests were created. They needed to find a
reason why African Americans were less than and why they couldn’t vote. The
literacy tests were one of those. There were also others like the Grandfather Clause
and poll taxes. But, if the white Americans citizens took these tests, they also would
have done as badly.

5. I do not feel more or less American after taking these tests. I know I am American
and that none of these tests mean anything. I just wish I knew more about our
government, since it is so complicated. I just hate that I didn't know a lot about how
the government works, even though I’ve here my whole life.
TEST #1

1965 Alabama Literacy Test

1. Which of the following is a right guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

_____Public Education
_____Employment
___x__Trial by Jury
_____Voting

2. The federal census of population is taken every five years. _____True ___x__False

3. If a person is indicted for a crime, name two rights which he has.

__right to remain silent and a fair trial_________________ ________________

4. A U.S. senator elected at the general election in November takes office the following year on
what date? __________​___january 21__​__________________________________

5. A President elected at the general election in November takes office the following year on
what date? _________________​___january 21
_____​______________________________________

6. Which definition applies to the word “amendment?”

__x___Proposed change, as in a Constitution
_____Make of peace between nations at war
_____A part of the government

7. A person appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court is appointed for a term of __​_life_​______

8. When the Constitution was approved by the original colonies, how many states had to ratify it
in order for it to be in effect? _________9________________________________

9. Does enumeration affect the income tax levied on citizens in various states? ____yes______
10. Person opposed to swearing in an oath may say, instead: (solemnly)
__________________​____honestly no idea_​_______________________________________

11. To serve as President of the United States, a person must have attained:
_____25 years of age
__x___35 years of age
_____40 years of age
_____45 years of age

12. What words are required by law to be on all coins and paper currency of the U.S.?
________________​US currency ________________​__________________________________
13. The Supreme Court is the chief lawmaking body of the state. _____True ___x__False

14. If a law passed by a state is contrary to provisions of the U.S. Constitution, which law
prevails? ___________​Constitution
___________________________

15. If a vacancy occurs in the U.S. Senate, the state must hold an election, but meanwhile the
place may be filled by a temporary appointment made by _________​Senate
members​_______________
________________________________________________________________________

16. A U.S. senator is elected for a term of ___2__ years.

17. Appropriation of money for the armed services can be only for a period limited to __10_
years.

18. The chief executive and the administrative offices make up the _____​executive​______
branch of government.

19. Who passes laws dealing with piracy?_______​legislative branch​___________________

________________________________________________________________________

20. The number of representatives which a state is entitled to have in the House of
Representatives is based on ___________​population/electoral
collage​_______________________

21. The Constitution protects an individual against punishments which are __​too harsh​___ and
_____​torturous​_____.

22. When a jury has heard and rendered a verdict in a case, and the judgment on the verdict has
become final, the defendant cannot again be brought to trial for the same cause. _____True
__x___False

23. Name two levels of government which can levy taxes: _____​noooo idea​________
________________________________________________________________________

24. Communisn was the type of government in: _____U.S. ___x__Russia _____England

25. Cases tried before a court of law are two types, civil and __​criminal​_______.
26. By a majority vote of the members of Congress, the Congress can change provisions of the
Constitution of the U.S. __x___True _____False

27. For security, each state has a right to form a _______​guard​________.

28. The electoral vote for President is counted in the presence of two bodies. Name them:
___________​justice and previous president ​_____________________________________

29. If no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral vote, who decides who will
become President?______​house of reps​_____________________________

30. Of the original 13 states, the one with the largest representation in the first Congress was
______________​Massachussetts ​____________________________________.

31. Of which branch of government is the Speaker of the House a part?

_____Executive __x___Legislative _____Judicial

32. Capital punishment is the giving of a death sentence. __x___True _____False

33. In case the President is unable to perform the duties of his office, who assumes them?
__________​vice president​__________________________________________

34. “Involuntary servitude” is permitted in the U.S. upon conviction of a crime.

_____True __x___False

35. If a state is a party to a case, the Constitution provides that original jurisdiction shall be in
_____________​why do I need to know this ​__________________________________________.

36. Congress passes laws regulating cases which are included in those over which the U.S.
Supreme Court has _________________​full​_____________________ jurisdiction.

37. Which of the following is a right guaranteed by the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution.
_____Public Housing _____Education _____Voting ___x__Trial by Jury

38. The Legislatures of the states decide how presidential electors may be chosen. _____True
__x___False

39. If it were proposed to join Alabama and Mississippi to form one state, what groups would
have to vote approval in order for this to be done?_______​citizens of the
states​_________________.

40. The Vice President presides over __________________​something ​____________________.

41. The Constitution limits the size of the District of Columbia to __​don’t know​______
______________________________________________________________________.

42. The only laws which can be passed to apply to an area in a federal arsenal are those passed
by ____________​ congress​__________________ provided consent for the purchase of the land
is given by the ________​president​___________________.
43. In which document or writing is the “Bill of Rights” found?___​constitution ​______.

44. Of which branch of government is a Supreme Court justice a part?

_____Executive _____Legislative __x___Judicial

45. If no person receives a majority of the electoral votes, the Vice President is chosen by the
Senate. _____True __x___False

46. Name two things which the states are forbidden to do by the U.S. Constitution.
______________​disobey federal laws and go against the nation ​___________________
________________________________________________________________________

47. If election of the President becomes the duty of the U.S. House of Representatives and it fails
to act, who becomes President and when? ________​Speaker of the house on january
21​________
_______________________________________________________________________

48. How many votes must a person receive in order to become President if the election is decided
by the U.S. House of Representatives? ________​__66__​________

49. How many states were required to approve the original Constitution in order for it to be in
effect? _____________​all 13 ​_____________________________________

50. Check the offenses which, if you are convicted of them, disqualify you for voting:
_____Murder
_____Issuing worthless checks
_____Petty larceny
_____Manufacturing whiskey

51. The Congress decides in what manner states elect presidential electors.
__x___True _____False

52. Name two of the purposes of the U.S. Constitution. ______​to provide a set of laws and to
keep the country in order ​__________ ______________________________________

53. Congress is composed of _______​the house of reps and senate ​_____________.

54. All legislative powers granted in the U.S. Constitution may legally be used only by
___________________________​no idea ​______________________________.

55. The population census is required to be made every ___​10​__ years.

56. Impeachments of U.S. officials are tried by ______​_supreme court___​______________.

57. If an effort to impeach the President of the U.S. is made, who presides at the trial?
_____________________​congress​___________________________

58. On the impeachment of the chief justice of the Supreme Court of the U.S., who tries the
case? ____________​congress​___________________________

59. Money is coined by order of:

___x__U.S. Congress _____The President’s Cabinet _____State Legislatures

60. Persons elected to case a state’s vote for U.S. President and Vice President are called
presidential ________________​electors ​_____________________________.

61. Name one power which is exclusively legislative and is mentioned in one of the parts of the
U.S. Constitution above__________​making laws​___________________.

62. If a person flees from justice into another state, who has authority to ask for his return?
______________​the state___________________​____________________________________

63. Whose duty is it to keep Congress informed of the state of the union? _____________
______________________​the president ​_________________________________

64. If the two houses of Congress cannot agree on adjournment, who sets the time?
____________________​the president​_____________________________________

65. When presidential electors meet to case ballots for President, must all electors in a state vote
for the same person for President or can they vote for different persons if they so choose?
___________​same president​______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

66. After the presidential electors have voted, to whom do they send the count of their votes?
________​congress​_____________________________________

67. The power to declare war is vested in __________​congress​__________________.

68. Any power and rights not given to the U.S. or prohibited to the states by the U.S.
Constitution are specified as belonging to whom? _____​no one ​_______________
TEST #2

1964 Louisiana Literacy Test

TEST #3

Jim Crow Literacy Test (Mississippi)

 DON’T READ BEFORE YOU TAKE THE TEST!
HAND THIS SHEET TO THE PROCTOR ( THE PERSON WHO WILL BE GIVING YOU THE TEST)

PROCTOR’S NOTES:
(Give blank sheet of paper to applicants. You may not talk nor may you ask questions.
Directions will be read only one time).

Draw a rectangle covering most of your paper.

Divide this rectangle in half with a horizontal line. Do the same with a vertical line.

In the upper right and corner of the upper left hand box, place the following abbreviations: PB,
MB, and BB.

In the lower right hand box, draw a horizontal line cutting the box in two.

(At this point the administrator may review in a hurried fashion what has been stated so far).

In the lower left hand box place five dashes in the middle of the box.

Go back to the upper left