Privildge and why do we deny it?

White Privilege is, as Peggy McIntosh, put it best, “White privilege is like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions.” Of course, white people don’t always ask to be put at an advantage, but in a western society they automatically are at birth. Being biracial, I have had a very unique relationship with white privilege. I can recall when I started hanging out with more people who were “fully black” they would always make comments about how I have white privilege because my mom is white. I would be angry and confused because, to white people, I’m just a black girl. It doesn’t matter if my mom is white because not everyone knows that. Finally, I asked my mom if she thinks I benefit from white privilege and her answer was, “I wouldn’t have my job if I was a person of color. Even if I was person of color with a master’s degree and more qualified I wouldn’t have my job because my boss has very obvious prejudices. You wouldn’t be in college, have a king size bed, a laptop, brand new car or anything if I didn’t have my job.”

I have been subjected to a lot of racism and prejudices because of my skin color, however, I now recognize that unlike some of my black and brown peers I have been able to use my mom’s white privilege to my advantage. The readings this week got me thinking about how people tend to deny their privilege, no matter the sector (race, sex, gender etc.). So, my question is, if I, a brown girl, can admit to how I have been put at an advantage because of my mom’s white privilege, why is it so hard for other people (races, sexes, etc.) that are in power or at an advantage to admit their privilege? I found an article that explains why the author believes people deny their white privilege. “Such ignorance becomes a tool of racial domination. By denying the unfairness, white folk never have to confront it” I think this quote makes a lot of sense in summing up one of the reasons people won’t acknowledge their privilege, they just simply don’t want to face the problem because it is not their problem. https://theundefeated.com/features/why-do-so-many-white-people-deny-the-existence-of-white-privilege/

Even though this conversation has focused mostly on white privilege, it can be translated to any person who is at an advantage. Cisgender, straight people are at an advantage compared to their trans or gay counterparts. Men are in a position of power over women no matter what the skin color. As long as people with power and privilege deny it and refuse to use their position to speak in favor of the oppressed I think it will be very difficult for the oppressed groups’ cries to be heard and their problems to be taken seriously, let alone solved.