GLPH 281_ Positioning assignment (2)

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1 Positioning exercise: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack Pascale Galarneau-Haley Queen's University GLPH 281: Racism and Health in Canada Dr. Giselle Valarezo September 20, 2023

2 Founded by legal activists, Critical Race Theory is a burgeoning approach to understanding racial inequalities and combating the power hierarchies that reinforce them. One of its key pillars is race consciousness. It states that being conscious of race is indispensable to understanding and dismantling systemic racism (Ford, 2010). By claiming to not see race, we are inadvertently averting our eyes to racism and invalidating the unique perspectives of people of color. A similar concept can be applied to all forms of privilege. By acknowledging our privilege, we can empathize with those who do not hold the same unearned advantages and come to a deeper understanding of the inequities that exist in our society. We can then harness this knowledge to amplify the voices of marginalized groups in order to meaningfully address power imbalances. Privilege in Canada, as in many other countries, is influenced by a complex interplay of historical, economic, cultural, and societal factors. Understanding how social conditions advance privilege requires a comprehensive analysis that takes into account various dimensions. First off, Canada has a history of colonization and marginalization of Indigenous people. The social systems of our country were built in the colonial period, where the Indigenous populations were seen as inferior. This foundation has led to loss of land, cultural suppression, and discrimination that created systemic imbalances that continue to perpetuate privilege for non-Indigenous populations (Owusu-Bempah, 2021) . This white supremacy woven into Canadian institutions also creates disparities for other racialized groups. For example, anti-Black racism can be traced back to the transatlantic slave trade era. During this period, the enslavement of African people was utilized for the financial growth and stability of white colonies. These pervasive racist attitudes have led to unequal access to opportunities in education, employment, housing, and healthcare. Stereotypes also continue to be perpetuated leading to the internalized racism that contributes to a cycle of generational disadvantages (Government of Canada, 2022) . Gender discrimination also leads to power

3 imbalances in Canada. These inequalities are sustained by violence, poverty, income disparities and limited access to leadership opportunities. An example of a discriminatory policy is the Indian Act that prohibited Indigenous women from transmitting their Indian status to their children in the way that their male counterparts were allowed to. These prejudiced customs continue to affect families today. Sexuality, socioeconomic status, disabilities and level of education are other examples of social conditions that contribute to the “culture of power”, as Micheal Yates would say. All of these factors intersect and create a unique experience with privilege for every individual. While reading “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” by Peggy McIntosh and looking at the privilege checklist, I was able to reflect on my own power. This exercise made me realize the extent of my privilege and how little adversity I have faced throughout my life. As an English speaking, cisgendered, abled bodied, white person of higher socioeconomic status, I am in a deeply advantaged position in terms of our social hierarchy. Many of the prompts on the checklists are things that I have taken for granted and never even considered as a privilege. First off, being a French and English speaking person in Canada has granted me easier access to opportunities and effortless integration into society. Conversely, those that aren’t as fluent must face barriers in employment, education and socialization. Furthermore, being a cisgendered person permits me to navigate the world without having to face the violence, discrimination and prejudice that transgender and gender diverse people experience. Additionally, being able bodied in a society that often overlooks individuals with disabilities grants me the privilege to have easy access to suitable services, opportunities and spaces without physical or social barriers. Being white and of higher socioeconomic status has also given me access to quality housing, health care, and education that have set me up for success and given me unearned advantages over those in lower income brackets and ethnic minorities. Being a woman is the only part of my identity that has

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4 created disadvantages for me. I have often had to face stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes based on my gender, which has affected my opportunities and self-esteem. I also find it difficult to be underrepresented in leadership positions which makes it harder for my opinions to be reflected and limits my influence. Despite this disadvantage, this positioning exercise has made me realize how deeply privileged I am and has given me a better perspective on the struggles of minority groups. As previously mentioned, acknowledging our privilege is a pivotal step in countering oppression. It allows us to evaluate our biases and realize that we might be blind to the systems that oppress others, and even unintentionally contribute to them. This is not an easy task as it might bring up feelings of guilt and can be very uncomfortable. However, it allows us to participate in critical allyship and harness our privilege to amplify and uplift the voices of marginalized groups. In the context of healthcare, privilege can be used to advocate for patients and fight for systemic change. Self-awareness is fundamental for delivering unbiased, patient-centered care. Being an ally in this space means using your power to elevate the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, advocating for police changes that address disparities and barriers, being educated on inequalities that exist and their root causes, and calling out discriminatory practices to encourage a culture of inclusivity. Another critical pillar in being an ally involves taking the time to listen to the experiences and concerns of marginalized communities and being open to learning from their experiences and perspectives. As people in positions of social power come to terms with their privilege by “unpacking their invisible knapsack” and begin to understand the social conditions that create and perpetuate inequalities, they stand poised to contribute to a transformative movement that could reshape healthcare into a compassionate and unbiased realm, where every individual is afforded the respect, understanding, and medical attention they deserve. Ultimately,

5 embracing allyship and acknowledging privilege is not merely an option—it is an imperative for achieving a healthcare landscape that truly serves the diverse needs and rights of every patient.

6 References Ford, C. L., & Airhihenbuwa, C. O. (2010, April 1). Critical Race Theory, race equity, and public health: toward antiracism praxis . American journal of public health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2837428/ Gouvernement du Canada. (2022, May 18). Part I – Systemic racism and discrimination in the Defence Team: Origins and current reality . https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports- publications/mnd-advisory-panel-systemic-racism-discrimination-final-report-jan- 2022/part-i-systemic-racism.html Mcintosh, P. (1989). White privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack. https://psychology.umbc.edu/files/2016/10/White-Privilege_McIntosh-1989.pdf Owusu-Bempah, A. (2021, July). Understanding the impact of racism, colonialism, and poverty on Canada’s criminal justice system . Maytree. https://maytree.com/publications/understanding-the-impact-of-racism-colonialism- and-poverty-on-canadas-criminal-justice-system/ Yates, M. (2017). Recognizing privilege: Power to all people . Michael Yates: Recognizing Privilege: Power to All People . https://www.ted.com/talks/michael_yates_recognizing_privilege_power_to_all_peop le

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