A privilege is a particular benefit or advantage conferred as a right or exemption from liability or duty. Oppression is the result of one individual or group benefiting at the expense of another through the use of institutional privilege and authority. The goal of this exercise is to confront entrenched systems of power and privilege, as well as to identify prevalent circumstances in which privilege is not acknowledged, to the cost of the oppressed and disadvantaged.

Read Peggy McIntosh's Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack. Why does McIntosh begin her essay with the statement, "I was taught to see racism only in individual acts of meanness, not in invisible systems conferring dominance on my group"? What is the significance of her saying this? Which of McIntosh's "daily effects of white privilege" strikes out to you, and why? How can we mitigate the impact of our privilege or lack thereof? Is this necessary or desirable? What is your reasoning?

Listen to and watch Tim Wise: On White Privilege. Define privilege and who has it against who has not. Explain why some people have more privilege than others. Describe your advantages or disadvantages. Discuss how privilege contributes to oppression.

Select two (2) of the following items to include:

Where do these benefits originate from? What can people with privilege do that other people cannot?

Contrast the costs of white privilege for people of color and white people.

What is the relationship between white privilege and concerns such as education, healthcare, poverty, housing, and economic status?

How are societal issues such as drugs, violence, failing schools, high dropout rates, and food deserts (urban areas where it is difficult to obtain affordable or high-quality fresh food) related to white privilege?

Why is it difficult for white people to consider (and act on) white privilege?

Include at least three scholarly resources on your reference pages