Every Rose

[This post was written in response to Peggy McIntosh's essay that was given to us by Mr. Franek during class.]

In Peggy McIntosh's essay regarding "white priveledge", she mentions many truths that I have witnessed in my lifetime.  First I'll note her point about finding people of the white race on " posters, post-cards, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys, and children's magazines."  Thinking back to when I was a child, the barbies that I could find in the toy isle where all white with either brown or blonde hair.  It wasn't until very recently while walking down the toy isle at Target that I saw an African American Barbie.  I can see how that would be very difficult for young African American children growing up being forced to act out scenes of white homes/families.  My mind jumped next to the Disney princesses… There's Belle (pale skin and brown hair), Snow white (white= self explanatory), Cinderella ( plae skin and blonde)…. I'm seeing a trend.  There is not a single black Disney princess.  The closest thing to an African American princess is Jasmine, and shes of Arab descent.  How hard would it be to think up a story in an African Kingdom for young children to enjoy? Not hard at all. 

      The next point that stuck out to me was Peggy's point about Public accommodations and treatment there. I found this point interesting because it relates to one of my own life experiences.  Two years ago our French class took a trip to a French restaurant in the city.  While the rest of the class and our teacher went to park their cars, my friend and I were sent in to get the table.  My friend was a black male.  I found it interesting that when it was just the two of us sitting down not one waitress came over to help us, but as soon as our blonde, white, teacher walked in, three waitresses came over to take our drink order.  THough I don't like to beleive it, I can say that if my friend haf been a white boy, our order would have been taken much sooner.  It's small gestures like that where I can see that racism still clearly exists today.   

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 3rd, 2007 at 4:01 pm and is filed under English Class soundoffs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.