Devin Sweeney

Howarth
Citizenship
Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack Refection
The article Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh is a very interesting
analysis of the excessive privilege that is often granted but goes unrecognized. In the article,
McIntosh brings up the point that people will very easily recognize when others are at a
disadvantage due to their race, but they are very reluctant to admit that they, themselves are over
privileged. When asked about helping the underprivileged, these people only talk about how the
less fortunate can be raised to their level because they fear losing those privileges. McIntosh also
lists the many privileges that she experiences because of her race. She does this because, without
writing it down, the recognition of these advantages will quickly slip away into the background.
It takes effort and motivation to actually think of these privileges that are taboo to talk about. In
this article, McIntosh really challenges people to look at and acknowledge their own advantages.
When reading this article, I found it to be very interesting. Since I am taking this class, a
minority group class, and a social problems class, talking about racial issues is no longer
something I shy away from in academic settings. What this article addressed that is often left
ignored was the explicit focus on privilege. While other classes may talk about white privilege or
mention the benefits people experience from oppressive structures in society, no one has strictly
listed the advantages they get to experience daily due to their race. I was a little surprised at
some of the things on McIntoshs list of privileges because they were simple things that I had not
considered before because they are so fundamental to my way of life. Without this type of
effortful recognition, I dont think that anyone would really get to the heart of the inherent racism

that plagues the country. Although I can recognize its importance, I also realize that this is no
easy task. Even thinking about it myself is hard to do. I dont want to believe that the simple
things I experience daily that seem so natural are denied to other people or may even be caused
by another races misfortune. The idea of meritocracy is so appealing that it definitely makes it
hard to think that there are other larger factors that are out of our control.
While reading this article and writing my reflection, I have been trying to unpack my own
privileges that are due to race and many other statuses I hold in life. I recognize that all of
McIntoshs privileges are true and apply to me as well, but I also have thought of other ones that
I experience. I went to a predominantly white high school, so I never felt out of place. Although
my parents once lived under the poverty level, they brought themselves out of it and I got to
grow up in a middle-class family that was able to put away money for vacations and college.
Because I dont have my race working against me, I do not have to overcompensate and can rely
on my talents alone. Being able to claim myself as a college student is a privilege that I have and
try to appreciate all the time. If I truly think about it, almost every aspect of my life is privileged,
and that is an idea that more people need to acknowledge.