White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

Most persuasive nonfiction begins with a description of the problem and ends with a call to action. How does McIntosh’s essay “White Privilege” follow this pattern or break from it? How does the structure of McIntosh’s argument help her make the points she wants to make?

How did reading McIntosh’s essay influence the way you think about matters of race in your own life?

Imagine you encounter a white person who says that her childhood poverty was more of a detriment to her than her whiteness was an advantage. Would this statement seem plausible to you? Using compassion and kindness, respond to this person. You may use essay or letter form.