The Pang article talks about the stages of European identity development. Right now I feel like I'm in stage 4, because I'm just getting over the idea that I wasn't privileged. I'm not going to lie, I have felt guilty before because the fact that I'm white means I don't have to deal personally with all these daily issues that others do because they aren't white. I'm over that, though; I'm not going to feel guilty because of something that I have no control over. But I also understand that I have been privileged because of this same thing that I have no control over. I was very adamant about the fact that I've worked hard to get through high school and into college, and I still am; it's just that I realize now that I had the ability to do so because of my privilege. Again, I'm not going to feel guilty about that, but I recognize it because otherwise I will never understand the race issues in America and the world today (including those in American public education).
As for the McIntosh article, I am often aware (during this semester, when I am already contemplating race issues for class) of many of the things mentioned by the author as things that she doesn't have to worry about because of the fact that she's white. Times like when I'm on the bus, I notice the differences between the way people look at me and how they look at those of color. It's like they automatically trust me because I'm a white female, and they are wary of others. Again, I'm starting to understand both the subtle and the not-so-subtle differences in my life and others' lives because of skin color.
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