A pioneer in this exploration

"LOOKING INSIDE themselves" highlights a vital process as those of us who identify as "white" examine what that means. Peggy McIntosh, the woman who coined the term "white privilege" and who in 1988 published work using that term, was pictured with the article. And it is important to celebrate her as one of the pioneers in this examination.

McIntosh's work has been used throughout the country to help people identify the inherent privileges of opening a children's book and seeing "folks like me," or going into a retail store and not being followed. She identifies the inherent racism in situations such as driving a new sports car, with a thousand-dollar suit, and being pulled over in your own neighborhood because you "don't look like you belong here."

There is much to be done, and McIntosh continues to inspire us all to examine our white privilege.

SUSAN A. HOLTON
Taunton

The writer is professor emerita in the department of communication studies at Bridgewater State College.