CRJ #2

Peggy McIntosh brings up a key issue concerning feminism, racism, and any other systematic oppression in White Privilege and Male Privilege. While many people will admit that there are issues in the world, they will not admit that they are a contributor or that from these issues they actually gain an advantage. This is a major issue because while open sexism and racism have been controlled through social awareness and government acts including Title IX, they still remain subconsciously. There cannot be equality between the sexes and the races until the people with advantages, particularly Caucasians and males, acknowledge the advantages race and sex contributes to their daily lives. Until reading this section I was unaware of the advantages being white and middle class has given me. I have entered the university setting without anyone questioning the path that led me there. No one questions whether or not my race played an important role in my admissions process. It is basically assumed that I received my admissions letter due to my intelligence and application. White privilege can go unnoticed; live dormant inside all Caucasians as the invisible package, because we are accustomed to having these daily privileges. The privileges we receive are perceived as normal, automatic, and natural. We grow up learning that America’s foundation is based on the bootstrap myth, that with enough work and motivation everyone is able to climb the economic ladder towards success for their selves and their family. People who are not able to climb are either shiftless or unfortunate. The suggested cure for this social disease is acknowledgment of the problem. This is a difficult thing to face, because it is easier to see these advantages as rewards for hard work than as undeserved rights of a section of people. People do not want to admit that they have been granted unfair advantage in life, or risk losing that advantage.

Homophobia generates sexism. There is an assumption that men and women are supposed to be heterosexual and that being homosexual is “different” or “weird”. It relates back to the mythical norm of what a woman is supposed to represent, and thus when she varies from that ideal image is conceived has being unnatural. Pharr discusses how lesbians are perceived as people who want to live completely without men and thus are against men. This is a radical notion that has no factual foundation. The perception and fear of lesbians causes unnecessary hate and suppression. Lesbians are backed into a corner with two choices, either suppress their sexuality from the public or live an honest lifestyle with the fear of being judged against because of their sexual orientation. This unjust ultimatum causes unnecessary obstacles in homosexuals’ lives. This form of suppression is heterosexual privilege. The only way to stop this is to acknowledge that it exists and to live our lives in a fashion that does not allow it to persist.