Analyzing what it means to be privileged

With an outer appearance, it definitly looks like I'm the kind of girl with the privileged life. But what does it mean to be privileged? Does it mean to have a great family? To have a fine education? To have white skin? There are many different reasons why I am considered "privileged" among society, and those are just to name a few.

Around 30 years ago, my dad's family immigrated to America from the Soviet Union. I know I've told this story many times, but it's part of me, and it always ends up sneaking in my thoughts when talking about the effects of society. Anyway, both of my parents since then have almost literally drilled the phrase "You should be so lucky that you get to grow up in America and are able to have any job opportunity that you could ever ask for." Or, "I remember when I had to hide the fact that I was Jewish and when people found out, I was never treated the same." (Mind you, this was said in a THICK Russian accent.)

When reading the Article today by McIntosh, I understood what she meant by whites constantly carrying a knapsack. But, I wouldn't exactly only give it to whites. In her time, almost 20 years ago, maybe some of her points are correct. But, now adays, blacks have a different image. To me, it seems that they are proud of who they are. I mean, we have an African American president. If we still thought like we did back then, then Obama wouldn't have won the election. It is clear that we are making progress.

It's not exactly our fault that society is the way it is. Sometimes it feels like whites are blamed for being racist against African Americans, when most of us aren't racist at all. We will never know where society takes us. Maybe some day whites will be considered inferior to blacks. It is already the case when speaking of college admissions, since now it is easier for an African American who lives in an inner city neigborhood to get into a better college than a white immigrant from one of the outer cities. Is that racist to the whites? Maybe Whites aren't the only ones who were racist, maybe African Americans are racist against whites becasue they believe that they are racist against them.

Unfortunately, this topic can go in circles forever. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, let me know! Thanks for reading.