Letter to the Editor
In honor of International Women's Day
Issue date: 3/3/10 Section: Voices
The following is a conscious reworking of Peggy McIntosh's "The Invisible Knapsack." Though McIntosh's was intended to show the way that race is hidden in everyday interactions, this list has been created by the Drury Chapter of the American Association of University Women in honor of International Women's Day, March 8, 2010 with the intention of shedding light on instances of everyday, or common attitudes regarding gender.
The Invisible Male Privilege
Note: I = I, as a MAN
Most meetings that I (as a man) attend are predominantly with folks of my own gender.
I (as a man) can be fairly sure of having my voice heard in a group in which I am the only member of my gender.
I (as a man) can speak directly, with confidence and assertiveness and not be labeled a derogatory name.
I (as a man) can speak in public to a powerful group without putting my gender on trial.
I (as a man) can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my gender.
I am never asked to speak for all the people of my gender.
I can be reasonably sure that if I ask to talk to "the person in charge," I will be facing a person of my gender.
If I put up posters that draw attention to challenges that members of my? gender encounter, I can be fairly certain that they will remain in place or not be defaced.
I can easily watch films or read books in which the protagonist or hero is my gender.
I can be pretty sure that an argument with a female colleague is more likely to jeopardize her chances for advancement than to jeopardize mine.
When I (as a man) must bring my child to the workplace because of a childcare problem, I feel confident that I will be perceived as an exceptionally good father who is in touch with his nurturing side. I do not need to be concerned that others might perceive me as someone incapable of balancing his professional and personal responsibilities.
If I declare there is a sexist issue at hand, or there isn't sexist issue at hand, my gender will lend me more credibility for either position than a woman will have.
The Invisible Male Privilege
Note: I = I, as a MAN
Most meetings that I (as a man) attend are predominantly with folks of my own gender.
I (as a man) can be fairly sure of having my voice heard in a group in which I am the only member of my gender.
I (as a man) can speak directly, with confidence and assertiveness and not be labeled a derogatory name.
I (as a man) can speak in public to a powerful group without putting my gender on trial.
I (as a man) can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my gender.
I am never asked to speak for all the people of my gender.
I can be reasonably sure that if I ask to talk to "the person in charge," I will be facing a person of my gender.
If I put up posters that draw attention to challenges that members of my? gender encounter, I can be fairly certain that they will remain in place or not be defaced.
I can easily watch films or read books in which the protagonist or hero is my gender.
I can be pretty sure that an argument with a female colleague is more likely to jeopardize her chances for advancement than to jeopardize mine.
When I (as a man) must bring my child to the workplace because of a childcare problem, I feel confident that I will be perceived as an exceptionally good father who is in touch with his nurturing side. I do not need to be concerned that others might perceive me as someone incapable of balancing his professional and personal responsibilities.
If I declare there is a sexist issue at hand, or there isn't sexist issue at hand, my gender will lend me more credibility for either position than a woman will have.
Article last update: 3/2/10 at 9:01 PM CST
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