Colin Powell Chief of Staff Black Male.
Condoleeza Rice National Security Advisor Black Female.
David Satcher Surgeon General Black Male.
Ms. Antonia Novello ex. Surgeon General Hispanic Female.
Mr. Thurgood Marshall Supreme Court Justice Black Male - deceased.
Mr. Clarence Thomas Supreme Court Justice Black Male.
Ms. Sandra Day O'Connor Supreme Court Justice White Female.
Ms. Ruth Bader Ginsburg Supreme Court Justice White Female.
Mr. R.J. Reynolds CEO Top Fortune 500 Co. Black Male- deceased.
Mr. Andrew Young U.S. Ambassador to U.N. Black Male.
America, being initially a British colony, will of coarse have a "white- history. In the days of slavery, the term "white privilege-, I am sure, had a true basis in everyday life. But can the term "white privilege- or even "male privilege- be used today to describe social subconscious thought? Perhaps it is my "white male denial syndrome- but I don't think so.
In an essay entitled "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack-, Peggy McIntosh goes on to list many items in her argument of white privilege. The root of her premise is that being a white person elicits subconscious advantages in society. Also, the white segment of society, especially the male portion, subconsciously oppresses all others. In my opinion it is people like this, with lists like hers, that continue the racial and gender divide. They need help.
In her essay, McIntosh lists 26 examples of white privilege. I am sure she has more but I will choose a few from her list to examine. I will start with an easy one .
9. I can go into a music shop and count on finding the music of my race represented, into a supermarket and find the staple foods that fit with my cultural traditions, into a hairdresser's shop and find someone who can cut my hair.
In my experience, music shop shelves are buried under piles of "Hip-Hop- or "Rap- music that supposedly represents the black subculture. White music, even if it could be defined as that, is what has the minority floor space.
