Power, power, power

In Peggy McIntosh's article, she talks about how white and or male power is something that is put into our heads from the very start. She has a whole list that describes how she, because she is white, can go about her daily life and "know" that if she gets a ticket, it's not because of her race, that she can buy postcards and dolls that feature her race, that she can buy makeup and bandages that are easily close to her skin color, etc. I think she wants to make it clear that we as white folk have many advantages that come from being white that we may not even think about or consider advantageous.
I agree with McIntosh. I think also, however, that it can be very hard to recognize the advantages of being white when we don't "do" anything to receive them. It is also hard for me personally because I am not at all a racist person, and I do not act or speak in a racist manner, so therefore I don't realize that my being white may put others at a disadvantage.
When we talked about "-isms" with Jennifer in class a few weeks ago, we saw how -isms of all kinds, including racism and classism and sexism, affect the power and outcome of public health and the global and local efforts against HIV/AIDS. Whenever you have a group of higher privilege than another, the campaign and benefits and resources are automatically most available to that group.
I think we must address all systems of oppression, both big and small, for HIV/AIDS, and for all the other reasons too. This world we live in is full resources and help and knowledge, and it is important for all people to have access to these things. It should not matter any more whether you are male or female, young or old, upper class or lower class, black or white or red or yellow. It should not matter, and when it comes to public health and fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, we need to reach across these boundaries even more.