Timpf responds to a letter from a student group at the Iowa State University that reflects on their instution’s “white privilege”. The group compares white privilege to a virus that is easily spread through communication. This is somewhat true, however their analysis is criticized by Timpf as she disregards their comparison as white privilege being the equivalent to HIV or herpres. As white privilege is inherent advantages of being white, she concludes that it is more comparable to genetic diseases, as opposed to communicable diseases. This states that the concept of white privilege can be inherent in college, however it is more likely spread through previous personal thoughts and actions, not through current communication to others.
Timpf, Katherine. "Student Group's Letter: White Privilege Is a Communicable Disease." National Review Online. National Review, 13 Apr. 2016. Web. 13 Apr. 2016. <http://www.nationalreview.com/article/434008/iowa-state-university-white-privilege-student-group-disease>.
Timpf, Katherine. "Student Group's Letter: White Privilege Is a Communicable Disease." National Review Online. National Review, 13 Apr. 2016. Web. 13 Apr. 2016. <http://www.nationalreview.com/article/434008/iowa-state-university-white-privilege-student-group-disease>.
With the information given, I do believe that white privilege can be a virus that spreads easily, but I do agree that by some degree each individual could compare their white privilege traits to genetic diseases. In my opinion, I interpreted the annotation of the article to mean that some individuals gain white privilege through the influence of their parents. I'm not taking genetic diseases as literal, but I do see where the author could make the argument because as toddlers are in their early years of cognitive development, parents have the highest influence on their child's individual opinions. The genetics argument can be seen when children automatically form the same opinions and views of a certain topic, such as privilege. As a result of parents influencing their children, the formulate concrete opinions on privilege that are hard to break. Once the child gets to college, then the privilege can be easily spread through years of deep rooted practice in privilege.
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