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Abstract: Objectives: To examine responses to training designed to increase awareness of White privilege. Methods: We conducted a qualitative descriptive analysis of 49 learners' responses to Peggy McIntosh's essay on "Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" on-line. Our sample included all anonymous respondents (n = 49) working in a medical center. Results: Analysis of employees' responses revealed variability in learner engagement with the concept ofWiite privilege. Our findings suggest that respondents have a sense of camaraderie for members of their own races. Conclusions: This training experience resulted in some learners having new reflections about attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate racial inequalities.
Key Words: Diversity, Education, Unconscious/Automatic Processing, Attitudes, Intergroup Relations, Write Privilege, Online Learning
Racism is embedded in the social fabric of US society influencing the socialization process. Racism operates as a multilevel system of inequality profiting white people at the expense of other racial groups (Knowles et al., 2002; Tervalon & Murray-Garcia, 1998; Schroeder & DiAngelo, 2010). No one can escape from participating in these relationships (Schroeder & DiAngelo, 2010). Some people participate in this socialization process without being aware that their actions are perpetuating acts of discrimination. Discriminatory actions and bias towards non-whites have become normalized as an implicit aspect of American life.
For some authors diversity and or multicultural focus on cultural competence and multicultural sensitivity is not enough to dismantle an institutionalized system of white privilege and dominance. Rather, antiracist education ought to be part of the curriculum (Schroeder & DiAngelo, 2010). According to Swartz, Arogundade & Davis (2014), multiculturalism only addresses the accommodation of the rights of other groups. Multicultural approaches do not typically attempt to redress the impact that years of subjugation and power imbalance has had on underrepresented groups. These authors claimed that multiculturalism only pays, "lip service to rights and abilities of subordinate cultures without resulting in true equality and inclusivity" (Swartz, Arogundade, & Davis, 2014, p. 347).
Despite deepened investments in diversity related initiatives for the various professionals who work in medical settings over the past two decades, health disparities (different health statuses) persist between racial groups in the United States (Betancourt, 2004; Knowles et al. 2002; Tervalon & Murray-Garcia, 1998; Wear, 2003). Research showing these disparities abounds; one example is that Black Americans are more likely...
