White Privilege and Racial Formation

The readings for this week focused on a huge issue that most people like to tip-toe around, if not completely avoid altogether: race. Yes, it is a touchy subject no matter what the topic of discussion but it is so important nonetheless because it affects each and every person that populates this planet (we forget race issues exist beyond our own country too). The first article, White Privilege: Unpacking the invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh is actually one that I read in my Multicultural Education class last semester. Reading it for a second time made it no less daunting, however.

McIntosh names twenty-six different ways in which White people (or those who appear to be so...) have an advantage over those who are not. Twenty-six. I can't even recall twenty six decisions I made today let alone twenty-six ways that I had an advantage over someone else, yet it is totally and undeniably true. I have never had to worry about any of the things on that list and I cannot imagine living a life of constant disadvantage because of the way I appear to someone else. It's actually quite intimidating to imagine, especially considering it's all based on assumptions, opinions and beliefs of other people that you cannot control. It would be so ideal to rid the world of this kind of inequality that can damage the qualities of life of entire groups of people.

I thought that Omi and Winant's Racial Formation was equally as thought provoking. I completely agree that race is an "element of social structure" and a "dimension of human representation" that does not biologically exist. My problem came just a bit later on when I started to agree with contrasting ideas. Charles Murray is quoted as saying that "race is not a morally admissible reason for treating one person differently from another". I read that and I agreed without even questioning it - it seems logical after all. But then almost immediately after, Thurgood Marshall is quoted as saying: "A profound difference separates governmental actions that themselves are racist, and governmental actions that seek to remedy the effects of prior racism or to prevent neutral government activity from perpetuating the effects of such racism". Whoops, I agree with that too. So where does it end? When can racism become a non-issue? Can it ever? So far, at this moment (and this might change), I think that the government needs to do what it needs to do in order to ensure that our history of racism does not continue to negatively affect the lives of its people. Finish what it started, if you will. But like I said, when can that end?

Introduction

Hello!

I am Kelly Zeoli and I just graduated from UMass Amherst with a Bachelors in History and a minor in Education. I started my undergrad as a Business major but switched at the beginning of my junior year when I realized that it wasn't at all what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I have always, always loved anything history and I'm so glad I made the change!

I grew up right near UML in Westford so I would love to be able to work in this area as a High School History teacher once I finish this program next May. I do like working with kids though, so teaching Middle School is definitely an option too! I have had several great teachers in the past that definitely influenced my decision to teach. It's very cheesy but I love the idea of sharing something I love and making my tiny but positive contribution to the world.

I currently substitute teach in Westford but in my free time I love movies, reading, shopping and of course being with family and friends! The usual.

See you all soon!