White Privilege And Affirmative Action Essay Example For Students

White Privilege And Affirmative Action Essay White Privilege and Affirmative Action Privilege is defined as â€Å"a special advantage or authority possessed by a particular person or group† in the Cambridge Dictionary (â€Å"privilege†). Globally, white individuals are often granted privileges than minority groups do not receive. While white privilege often goes unnoticed by white individuals, it causes many disadvantages for people of color and affects how they see themselves. Furthermore, Affirmative Action attempts to equal the playing field for minorities but is faced with contention by many white people. When asked about white privilege, many whites believe that it is a myth while others deny the existence of white privilege entirely. We will write a custom essay on White Privilege And Affirmative Action specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now However, white privilege is not a myth. White privilege is very prevalent in society and uniquely effects many different groups. Peggy McIntosh discusses white privilege in her article â€Å"White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.† McIntosh states, â€Å"I have come to see while privilege as an invisible package of unearned assets which I can count on cashing in each day, but about which I was, meant to remain oblivious† (par. 3). While white privilege benefits whites, it often has an adverse effect on people of color. White privilege comes in many forms. One white privilege is that being white is seen as normal. This is evident when looking at product sold in â€Å"flesh color.† Bandages, hosiery, and undergarments are often marketed as â€Å"flesh tone† but are sold in tones that match white skin (McIntosh par. 8; Holladay par. 5). It is normal to see prominently white representation in toys, products, advertisements, movies, and television (McIntosh par. 8). In 2007, Rothenburg did a study regarding racial identity in children (McFeeters par. 6). Ro. . n. Many individuals oppose Affirmative Action. There has been several court case but courts often agree with Affirmative Action plans along as the plan follows rules set forth by executive orders and the Civil Rights Act. Those opposed often say that Affirmative Action is â€Å"reverse racism.† Individuals against Affirmative Action feeling can be best describe with this quote â€Å"Equality can feel like oppression. But it’s not. What you’re feeling is just the discomfort of losing a little bit of your privilege† (Boeskool par. 21). White privilege can be seen in society today. White individual greatly benefit from this privilege, often times without realizing or completely denying that they are receiving a privilege. People of color are very aware of these privileges that they are often denied. People of color and minorities suffer as a direct result from white privilege.

The Life of William Golding †English Essay

The Life of William Golding – English Essay Free Online Research Papers The Life of William Golding English Essay Golding enrolled in World War II, as a part of the Royal Navy, in 1940, just after marrying Ann Brookfield. He started as just a sailor, but later decided to become an officer. While taking his exam to become one, he was asked a question about landmines and responded elaborately and in such detail that he was almost instantly promoted and sent to a secret research center. He liked this study and analysis until an accident when he â€Å"blew himself up.† Resigning from this work, he was sent instead to Scotland and a mine-sweeper school and then transferred again to New York and waited while a mine-sweeper was built for six months. When he finally returned, the mine-sweepers were no longer needed so he was put in charge of a rocket-launching craft in time for the 1944 invasion. Once during the invasion, he was ordered to travel through a narrow channel which could have easily resulted in destruction and many deaths to his crew. His orders were changed, however, before he could embark on this dangerous task and the members of his crew criticized him for his obvious disappointment at missing this opportunity. His crew, obviously, was not disappointed for not having to risk their lives in th e war. (Gindin) The effects of the war on Golding were serious, crucial, and had an impact on the rest of his life. He recognized the fact that â€Å"in the past he had been naà ¯ve and adolescent, that the war had demonstrated all the horrendous cruelties of which man was capable.† (Gindin, 4). It was several years after World War II that Golding’s views were finally revealed to the public. His novel, Lord of the Flies, was rejected by 21 publishers before becoming available for the people. The Coral Island, written by R.M. Ballantyne, served as one of Golding’s main sources when writing his book Lord of the Flies. The two novels essential views openly contradict each other. Golding takes a pessimistic standpoint on society, where as Ballantyne’s perspective is much more optimistic, action-packed, and upbeat. The Coral Island is a story of three boys shipwrecked on an island in the Pacific Ocean. Ralph Rover the narrator, Jack, and Peterkin create a peaceful, serene society despite the violent environment around them. Battling typhoons, wild pigs, and unfriendly visitors, the boys still manage to create an enjoyable surrounding from the few supplies they are left with, and create fire by rubbing two sticks together. The boys build a boat together and sail to nearby islands, and though they get in several disagreements and fights with the neighboring tribes they eventually return to civilization wiser and more mature. (http://selfknowledge.com/coril1 0.htm) The bright and cheerful mood of The Coral Island is not replicated in Golding’s novel. Golding, after being deeply affected by his war experiences, disagreed with the overall idea of Ballantyne’s book. Golding believed that man was inherently evil, and this is portrayed in Lord of the Flies. Despite the contradicting theses, however, there are several obvious parallels from Ballantyne’s novel to Golding’s. The character names, for example, could not have been a coincidence. The main characters in Lord of the Flies are named Ralph, Jack, Simon, and Piggy, similar to the protagonists in The Coral Island. The setting of both novels is a remote island, and the appearance of an officer during the falling action of the plot occurs in both Golding’s and Ballantyne’s books. Golding includes these parallels to emphasize his disagreement. Man is evil by nature, and would not prosper if removed from a civilized society but rather would digress t o a primitive state. Research Papers on The Life of William Golding - English EssayHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Essay19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenMind TravelWhere Wild and West MeetHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionUnreasonable Searches and SeizuresThe Hockey GameCapital PunishmentAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2