Guest Post: White Privilege by April Johnson and April Knutsen

Though Professor Peggy McIntosh wrote her seminal article "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" in 1989, the piece still resonates with students today. Here Women's Studies 101 students work to "unpack the invisible knapsack."

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McIntosh stated in the beginning that just how we acknowledge male privilege and its advantages because of a woman’s disadvantage, the same is applied to race. As an African American, I can point something out about someone else’s race and the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of that race but it’s more effective when someone of that own race realizes just how privileged individuals just so happen to be.

If I decide to start a conversation about white people then I am just saying the same thing that a lot of other races have said or are saying but when someone who is white and understands their privilege addresses the accuracy of the situation a light bulb goes off in the minds of other privileged white persons.

The list McIntosh made is accurate and it can go on to be much longer than that. White privilege has allowed security for those who belong in the category. White privilege is not even realizing that you have acquired these benefits in your life because no one has had to tell you differently. Cultures that are failed to be recognized have to take their own stand and initiatives to getting their voice to be heard. No one’s blaming anyone because you were born with these privileges but it’s important that you realize you have them and others may not.

Being white makes a statement that may be unbeknownst to its people that says, “Society gives me power, and with that power I have an advantage over others because of the color of my skin”. It’s amazing how such a small difference in individuals can determine the life you’ll lead. Being white means that if you and a black person are both in a store, both wearing a white t-shirt and jeans, it’s more likely that a black person will be closely watched more so than the white person even though they are both equally capable of acts of deviance or even acts of normality.

White privilege is being able to see products for your hair and skin and not think twice that it doesn’t apply to others. I don’t get to see commercials for women of color and products that will work best for me. White privilege has always been there. It will always be there. White privilege allows for your acquired safety in this society.

- April Johnson

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This article was very different but also very enjoyable to read. The author hits ... so many points that I have never thought about before, and ironically a point that was made was about how people don’t give the issue of “white privilege” enough consideration. I found it very important that throughout the article white privilege did not mean racism, although it didn’t mean anything very positive. The article is stating that a white privilege and unfair advantages exist in the world and people are actively doing nothing to reduce the issue.

While reading the list of conditions the author made I found myself in shock about how many that I saw familiarity in. Regarding number 5, I think this is a pretty significant issue because in the past few years I personally haven’t seen much positive coverage of any non-Caucasian people in the new, or media. I think it is a learned societal norm to accredit whites automatically even if something of equal or greater is happening elsewhere with one of a different race.

Number 20* was another point that stood out to me and I share a personal experience with it. White privilege applies to the lack of production of non- Caucasian toys or dolls, or posters with non-Caucasian people on them. When I was a child, about 8 or 9, my mom bought me the African-American “American Girl-Doll,” Addie. My friends all thought I was weird for having it and made fun of me for her, but I loved my doll. At that young age was the first time I was introduced to a racial discrimination. Another quick point that stuck out to me was number 26, about the Band-Aids and the flesh tone. I have never seen a darker colored Band-Aid and when this article brought it to my attention I was honestly kind of angry.

At the end of the article, specifically the last paragraph, made a very to the point conclusion. She in my words, she basically said: are we going to take what we’ve learned from this and use it in a positive way or just sit back and ignore that it happened. I think that that last couple sentences apply to many other popular issues including women’s rights.


- April Knutsen

*"I can easily buy posters, postcards, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys, and children’s magazines featuring people of my race."

RU Students stand outside Martin Hall, Friday, November 13th to show solidarity with students in Missouri at #Radford4Mizzou 

Spring 2015 courses that count toward the minor in Women's Studies

WMST 101. Women in the World

WMST 400. Senior Portfolio

APST 460. Current Issues in Appalachian Studies (Focus on Appalachian women)

APST 560. Seminar: Current Issues in Appalachian Studies (Focus on Appalachian women)

CRJU 365. Diversity Issues in the Criminal Justice System

HLTH 453. Human Sexuality

HUMD 300. Human Growth and Development, Birth through Adolescence

PSYC 230. Lifespan Developmental Psychology

PSYC 250. Psychology of Diversity. 

PSYC 343. Social Psychology

SOCY 250. Social Inequality

SOCY 326. Men and Women in Society

SOCY 331. Race and Ethnic Relations

Guest Post: A Day Without Feminism by Taylor May and Danika Padin

In their prologue to Manifesta: young women, feminism, and the future, Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards take readers back to 1970, the year both were born, in order to describe "A Day Without Feminism". Students in WMST 101: Women and the World are often shocked by the lack of freedom for American women as little as 45 years ago.

Here are responses from two of them:

This reading was very interesting to me. I have never imagined what my life could be like now had the women’s movement not happened. Right now I would be at a “girl college” trying to get an education, probably studying to become a teacher or something of that sort. The majority of people around me would be white and because I am a girl, I would have a curfew. If I found a man in college to marry I probably would not pursue a career, I would just become a housewife. If I did decide to pursue teaching, not only would I be making a lot less money than the average man, but I could also get fired simply for being pregnant. Sex was taboo back then and they did not want children knowing that women were involved in it. Although one would think that the children would know or eventually learn that they came out of their mother’s tummies.

            Women were not able to stick up for themselves the way they can now. There was no such thing as sexual harassment, so their bosses could get away with basically treating them however they please. It was hard for a single woman to find an apartment to live in because landlords did not want to rent to them. If a woman were to go into a restaurant without a man with them they would most likely not be served.

            Back then it was about looks, not brains. I am so grateful I was not alive during this time. I did not realize this affected every little aspect of a woman’s life. Women were not taken seriously and were just expected to be happy and pretty at all times. Its as if they were not even treated as real, respectable people. Life without feminism would be 100% different. I am appreciative of all the feminist women who have gone before me. Because of the impact they have made, I can be taken seriously as a hard working and independent woman.  

~Taylor May

Reading through this excerpt is like getting a splash of cold water in the face. There you are minding your own business, when all of a sudden, this author wants you to stop what you’re doing and face the facts. She tells us that if we aren’t counting our blessings, then we haven’t been paying attention. By taking us back to the 1970’s, we are able to see a dramatic difference and, therefore, validate the work feminists have done in our country.

Listing the disappointing mistreatment and oppression of women in that time period, the author gives us a taste of how many struggles women have overcome. A stand-out sentence pointed out the complete lack of classes in prestigious universities that focused on minorities (including women). The author specifically said that the lack of such areas of studies “implies that they are not worth studying.” I felt that one of her main points was that the omission of minority focus was oppression.

Having no female rabbis or cantors during the 70’s was something that caught my attention. I’ve often wondered about how a female perspective could shape a Sunday service. Somehow, I brain went to another dark place from there; women in the media. It’s very apparent that women have had to claw their way to be in modern media the way that they are today. However, one of the things that is most irritating to me is the way that women are still represented in advertisements. Every time I see a commercial for a cleaning product, I practically beg my television screen not to show me a housewife. Is it so much to ask that I see men represented in cleaning commercials? It’s not like women are the only ones who have to buy sponges in North America.

Aside from my rant about cleaning advertisements, there were many other connections that I could make between this excerpt and the real world. I can remember my single mother venturing out into the job market to sell insurance. She was pregnant, but she pretended to just be overweight. Mom told me, “I can’t let the interviewer know that I’m pregnant, they don’t want to give me time off, so I’ve got to be careful.” It felt wrong to me that she was being punished like that. She even felt like she had to wear a fake engagement ring so that when people asked her questions about her pregnancy outside of the office, they wouldn’t judge her. Although, women don’t have to sign a “baby contract” anymore, I think there’s still some red tape there; an unspoken agreement that an employer won’t be “tricked.”

By the end of this piece I felt cynical and angry. I had so many questions to be answered. The image of women in the 70’s was of an incompetent trophy. She couldn’t even be trusted with her own health. Surgeons would know what was best for them, so they just did whatever they wanted to their patients. With the acceptance of women marrying older men, it painted a picture of someone that needed to be protected from their own sexuality, weakness, and incompetence.

~ Danika Padin

Fall 2015 Women's Studies Classes

Diversity in Communication - 10694 - COMS 457
11:00 am - 12:15 pm TR Whitt Hall 009 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Lisa E Baker


Diversity Issues in the Criminal Justice System - 11011 - CRJU 365
11:00 am - 12:15 pm TR TBA Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Bakhitah Brenda Abdul-Ra'uf
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm TR TBA Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Bakhitah Brenda Abdul-Ra'uf
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm M TBA Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture TBA


The Female Literary Tradition - 11690 - ENGL 453
1:00 pm - 1:50 pm MWF Davis Hall 216 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Michele D Ren


History of Women (B,C) - 10148 - HIST 306
12:00 pm - 12:50 pm MWF Cook Hall 311 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Suzanne E Ament


Diversity of Health in the United States - 10700 - HLTH 325
11:00 am - 12:15 pm TR TBA Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Pamela Y. Frasier


Human Growth and Development: Birth through Adolescence - 11418 - HUMD 300
9:30 am - 10:45 am TR TBA Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Wendy L Eckenrod-Green
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm M Peters Hall C103 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture TBA
11:00 am - 12:15 pm TR Peters Hall C116 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Wendy L Eckenrod-Green
2:00 pm - 3:15 pm TR TBA Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Wendy L Eckenrod-Green
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm W Peters Hall C137 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Wendy L Eckenrod-Green
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm M Peters Hall C143 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture TBA
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm W Cook Hall 129 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture TBA


Nutrition in the Life Cycle I: Maternal and Child - 10748 - NUTR 316
11:00 am - 12:15 pm MW Peters Hall C136 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Jyotsna Sharman


Lifespan Developmental Psychology - 10355 - PSYC 230
2:00 pm - 2:50 pm MWF Russell Hall 007 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture David A Townsend
3:00 pm - 3:50 pm MWF Russell Hall 007 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture TBA
9:30 am - 10:45 am TR Russell Hall 007 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Jenessa C Steele
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm R Russell Hall 113 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Jason Derek Watson


Psychology of Diversity - 10359 - PSYC 250
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm TR Russell Hall 033 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Amy J Kelly


Social Psychology (SS Core) - 10654 - PSYC 343
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm TR Russell Hall 007 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Hilary M Lips
2:00 pm - 3:15 pm TR Russell Hall 007 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Hilary M Lips
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm TR Russell Hall 007 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Amy J Kelly


Psychology of Women - 10665 - PSYC 391
8:00 am - 9:15 am TR Russell Hall 347 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Hilary M Lips


Psychology of Human Sexuality - 11959 - PSYC 393
8:00 am - 9:15 am TR Davis Hall 043 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture


Social Inequality - 11559 - SOCY 250
1:00 pm - 1:50 pm MWF Young Hall 221 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Elizabeth C W Lyman
2:00 pm - 2:50 pm MWF Young Hall 221 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Elizabeth C W Lyman


Race and Ethnic Relations - 11561 - SOCY 331
11:00 am - 12:15 pm TR Young Hall 305 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Carla Corroto
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm TR Waldron College Hall 200 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Steven M McGlamery
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm TR TBA Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Steven M McGlamery


Sociology of the Family - 11567 - SOCY 389 - 01
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm TR Davis Hall 212 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Lawrence Michael Eppard


Women in the World: Introduction to Women's Studies - 10226 - WMST 101
11:00 am - 11:50 am MWF Davis Hall 216 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Michele D Ren


Women in the World: Introduction to Women's Studies - 10227 - WMST 101
9:30 am - 10:45 am TR Cook Hall 317 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Dana S Cochran


Women in the World: Introduction to Women's Studies - 10228 - WMST 101
11:00 am - 12:15 pm TR Cook Hall 317 Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Lecture Dana S Cochran


Senior Portfolio - 10229 - WMST 400
12:00 pm - 12:50 pm M TBA Aug 31, 2015 - Dec 17, 2015 Directed Study Moira P Baker

Sexual Assault Awareness Month at RU, April 2015

Teal Ribbon Campaign

The Teal Ribbon Campaign raises awareness of sexual assault. Wearing a teal ribbon represents your support for all victims of sexual assault. Teal ribbons will be distributed at various events throughout April. Sponsored by SAVES and the Peer Health Educators.

NO MORE Campaign

NO MORE is a public awareness and engagement campaign focused on ending domestic violence and sexual assault that seeks to break social stigma, normalize the conversation, and increase resources to address these issues. For more information visit www.nomore.org. Sponsored by the Peer Health Educators.

Sexual Assault Awareness

Wednesday, April 1, 11:00am-2:00pm, in the Bonnie

Thursday, April 9, 11:00am-2:00pm, in the Bonnie

Information about sexual assault and teal ribbons will be distributed. Sponsored by the Peer Health Educators.

Ask Big Questions - ConsentMonday, April 6, 1:00pm-2:00pm, Bonnie 249/250

The Ask Big Questions campaign is centered on the concept that we can change the world through conversation. This program allows for students to gain an understanding amongst the people in their community and the world overall by opening a dialogue about life’s “Big Questions.” For more information visit http://askbigquestions.org/. Sponsored by the Women’s Studies Club and the Consent Campaign.

Brown Bag Series

Wednesdays in April, 12:00pm-1:00pm, Bonnie 210

April 8: Mary Ashlyn Alderman, WRC Sexual Assault Advocate/Community Educator - Understanding Sexual Assault

April 15: Sergeant Scott Shaffer, Radford University Police Department – Sexual Assault: Justice Served vs. Serving Justice

April 22: Betty Jones, WRC Sexual Assault Program Coordinator - Neurobiology of Trauma

Bring a lunch and join in the discussion. Sponsored by SAVES.

Eric Garrison – Sexual Assault: A Crucial Conversation

Friday, April 10, 6:00pm-7:30pm, Recreation and Wellness Center MAC Court

A crucial conversation about sexual assault in college-aged students. Addresses sexual assault issues and gives you tools to address assault.

Eric Garrison is a certified sexuality counselor, author, trainer, teacher, mentor, and international consultant in a variety of areas relating to sexology, social justice, and higher education – including the training of medical, law, business, and education students on everything from time management to anger management and substance use to gender-based violence. Sponsored by the Peer Health Educators, Phi Sigma Pi, Lambda Alpha Epsilon, SCI, and SAVES

RU After Dark: Carnival Extravaganza

Friday, April 10, 9:00pm-12:00am, Recreation and Wellness Center MAC Court

Have fun with carnival games, inflatable obstacle course, a mechanical bull, and chances to win prizes! Sponsored by the Peer Health Educators, Phi Sigma Pi, Lambda Alpha Epsilon, SCI, and SAVES

It’s On Us Campaign

Monday, April 13, 11:00am-2:00pm, in the Recreation and Wellness Center

Thursday, April 16, 11:00am-2:00pm, in the Bonnie

The It’s On Us Campaign is to recognize that non-consensual sex is sexual assault, identify situations in which sexual assault may occur, intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given and to create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported. For more information visit www.itsonus.org. Sponsored by the Peer Health Educators.

The Clothesline Project

Thursday, April 23, 11:00am-2:00pm, in the Bonnie

The Clothesline Project is a national effort to raise awareness of violence against women. Survivors of violence and their friends and families create t-shirts commemorating their experiences. All shirts are anonymous. Sponsored by the Peer Health Educators and SAVES.

Ask Big Questions – You Be the Judge

Tuesday, April 28, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Bonnie Auditorium

Join a discussion led by students for students. Enrich your understanding of consent, education on red-flags of assault, and resources available to students. For more information visit http://askbigquestions.org/. Sponsored by the Peer Health Educators

RU Women's History Month 2015: Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives

March 2, 2:00, Heth 16. Circle of Life Intergenerational Dialogue (50+ in inner circle), Dr. Sarah Hastings (Director, Doctor of Psychology Program)


March 2, 5:00, McGuffey Auditorium. Award-Winning Novelist Dorothy Allison, author of Bastard out of Carolina, Cavedweller, and other works


March 4, Noon, Bonnie Auditorium. Welcome by President Kyle.
Dr. Mary Atwell: “Our Wretched Sisters: Gender and Executed Women”


March 16, 2:00, Heth 16. Circle of Life Intergenerational Dialogue (30s- 40s in inner circle), Dr. Sarah Hastings


March 18, 4:00, Heth 45. Dr. Virginia Weisz and Debra Massaro (Nursing): “A Day in the Life of a Belizean Mother”


March 19, 2:00, Heth 22. Dr. Roann Barris and Students from ARTH 420 (ARTH): “Contemporary Art History and Women’s Issues”


March 20, 4:00, Heth 16. Dr. Deneen Evans (School of Social Work), Natalie Fajardo (Assistant Director for Diversity and Inclusion), Dr. Diane Hodge (Director School of Social Work), Crasha Townsend (Director Center for Diversity and inclusion): “LEAN IN—Women, Work, and the Will to Lead: What Happens when Women of Diverse Voices Lean In?”


March 23, 2:00, Heth 16. Circle of Life Intergenerational Dialogue (20s and under in inner circle), Dr. Sarah Hastings


March 25, 5:00, Brewin’ Around Coffee Shop. Slam Poetry Event. Loren Phillips ( English)


March 26, 11:00, Heth 16. STEP-UP! Bystander Intervention: Julie Dill (SAVES), Dr. Amy Sorensen (Sociology)


March 26, 3:00, Heth 16. STEP-UP! Bystander Intervention: SAVES Staff, Dr. Amy Sorensen (Sociology)


March 26, 7:30, Albig Theatre. Paradigm Shift: An Evening of Women’s Work— a concert celebrating Women’s History Month, featuring original creative dance works by emerging female choreographers from the RU Department of Dance



March 27, 1:30, Bonnie 249. Dr. Donna Boyd (Co-Director Forensic Science Institute) and Dr. Sara O’Brien (Biology): Women in STEM Professions—Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies for Success (panel discussion with STEM students and professionals)



March 29, 2:00, March 30 & March 31, 7:00, Bonnie Auditorium. Performance of Eve Ensler’ s The Vagina Monologues. Directed by Lucinda McDermott. Tickets Available via eventbrite. Please consider supporting our GoFundMe campaign to benefit The Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley, or, bring a cash donation to the show.


March 30, 10am-5pm, Muse Banquet Hall. Caitlyn Parker (History, English, and Women’s Studies): "Defining and Creating Safe Spaces: A Day of Workshops, Lectures, and Discussions”



March 30, 2:00, Heth 16. Bence Bays, Leanne Hancock, Cassandra Perkins (Career Center ): “Women and the Work World”



March 30, 1-5 & March 31st, 10-4, Heth 14. Dr. Carlee Bradbury and Students from ARTH 414 (Art): “The Mary Project”—Art Exhibit and Symposium
March 30, 1:00, Heth 14. Exhibit Opening & Students’ Presentations
March 31, 10–4, Heth 14. “The Mary Project” Exhibit


March 31, 4:00, Bonnie Auditorium. Dr. Hilary Lips (Chair, Department of Psychology): “Women Working for Less: What’s the problem?”


April 1, 4:00, Covington Foyer. Closing Reception. President Penelope Kyle: “Reflections on Women and Women’s History Month." The entire University community is cordially invited to join us for refreshments, live music, and conviviality.

Spring 2015 Women's Studies Classes

The following classes count toward the minor in Women's Studies at Radford University

History of Women (A) - 20045 - HIST 306 - 01
11:00 am - 11:50 am MWF Cook Hall 311


Human Sexuality - 20597 - HLTH 453 - 01
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm TR Peters Hall
Human Sexuality - 20598 - HLTH 453 - 02
11:00 am - 12:15 pm TR Peters Hall




Human Growth and Development: Birth through Adolescence - 21584 - HUMD 300 - 01
9:30 am - 10:45 am TR TBA
Human Growth and Development: Birth through Adolescence - 21585 - HUMD 300 - 02
11:00 am - 12:15 pm TR TBA
Human Growth and Development: Birth through Adolescence - 21586 - HUMD 300 - 03
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm M TBA
Human Growth and Development: Birth through Adolescence - 21587 - HUMD 300 - 04
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm W TBA
Human Growth and Development: Birth through Adolescence - 21588 - HUMD 300 - 05
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm M TBA


Lifespan Developmental Psychology - 21216 - PSYC 230 - 01
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm TR TBA
Lifespan Developmental Psychology - 21217 - PSYC 230 - 02
1:00 pm - 1:50 pm MWF TBA
Lifespan Developmental Psychology - 21218 - PSYC 230 - 03
9:00 am - 9:50 am MWF TBA
Lifespan Developmental Psychology - 21219 - PSYC 230 - 04
10:00 am - 10:50 am MWF TBA


Social Psychology (SS Core) - 21236 - PSYC 343 - 01
11:00 am - 12:15 pm TR TBA
Social Psychology (SS Core) - 21237 - PSYC 343 - 02
8:00 am - 9:15 am TR TBA
Social Psychology (SS Core) - 21239 - PSYC 343 - 03
9:30 am - 10:45 am TR TBA


Social Inequality - 21143 - SOCY 250 - 01
2:00 pm - 2:50 pm MWF TBA
Social Inequality - 21145 - SOCY 250 - 02
3:00 pm - 3:50 pm MWF Online


Men and Women in Society - 21146 - SOCY 326 - 01
11:00 am - 12:15 pm TR TBA
Men and Women in Society - 21147 - SOCY 326 - 02
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm TR TBA


Race and Ethnic Relations - 21148 - SOCY 331 - 01
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm T TBA
Race and Ethnic Relations - 21149 - SOCY 331 - 02
2:00 pm - 2:50 pm MWF TBA


Scholar-Citizen: Introduction to Women's Studies - 20002 - WMST 101 - 01
1:00 pm - 1:50 pm MWF TBA

Women in the World: Introduction to Women's Studies - 20005 - WMST 101 - 04
9:30 am - 10:45 am TR TBA
Women in the World: Introduction to Women's Studies - 20006 - WMST 101 - 05
11:00 am - 12:15 pm TR TBA


Senior Portfolio - 20007 - WMST 400 - 01
4:00 pm - 4:50 pm M TBA