49 pages 1 hour read

Peggy McIntosh

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

Nonfiction | Essay / Speech | Adult | Published in 1989

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Activities

Use these activities to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

Activity 1: “Exploring Privilege Through Personal Reflection and Discussion”

In this activity, students will reflect on their own experiences with privilege and engage in a discussion about how privilege impacts their lives and society.

To begin, students should read Peggy McIntosh’s essay “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” and reflect on the following questions:

  • How do you see privilege operating in your own life?
  • Can you identify examples of privilege in your community or society?
  • How does recognizing privilege impact your understanding of social inequality?

Next, students should engage in a group discussion about their reflections. Encourage students to share their thoughts and listen respectfully to others.

Finally, students should write a short reflection about what they learned from the activity and how it has impacted their understanding of privilege.

Teaching Suggestion: Facilitate the discussion in a way that encourages all students to participate and share their thoughts. Remind students to be respectful of others’ experiences and perspectives. This can be a sensitive topic, so it’s important to create a safe and respectful environment for discussion.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or those with attentional learning differences, consider providing additional resources or scaffolding to help them understand the concept of privilege.