White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

Subgroup Size

Small Group

Duration

1 hour

External Cost

No

Source

McIntosh, P. (1989). White privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack. Retrieved from https://nationalseedproject.org/Key-SEED-Texts/white-privilege-unpacking-the-invisible-knapsack

Tags:

  1. diversity
  2. inclusion
  3. privilege
  4. self-awareness
  5. social justice
  6. whiteness

This activity may bring up difficult and uncomfortable feelings for many participants. Per the advice of Peggy McIntosh (the author), the facilitator should tell participants that the purpose of this activity is not to blame, shame, or guilt anyone. Additionally, the facilitator should caution that McIntosh's list of privileges are not generalizable and may not resonate with everyone.