Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration

Wall of Whiteness: Bricks in the Ivory Tower

Rachel Emas

George Washington University

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5683-9599

Eiko Strader

George Washington University

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6384-7861

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jsepa.v4i2.7090

Keywords: Whiteness, academia, ivory tower, inequity, inequality

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Abstract

Peggy McIntosh’s 1988 essay used the “invisible knapsack” metaphor to identify often-unrecognized advantages afforded to White Americans. While this list was instrumental in fostering self-reflection and empathy, its focus on individual-level experiences and a static understanding of race limited its scope for driving systemic change. This conceptual paper revisits McIntosh’s list of examples, illustrating that it is insufficient to merely identify them; we must actively dismantle the “wall of Whiteness” perpetuating racial inequality. Drawing upon contemporary scholarship that builds on process-centered understanding of race, we present a revised framework identifying both individual/interpersonal and institutional/structural factors that contribute to this wall, particularly within academia. Based on this understanding, we advocate for a shift from a sole focus on critical selfreflection to a commitment to institutional and systemic changes, providing academics with the tools to recognize and dismantle these barriers, thereby creating a more equitable and inclusive academy.

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Author Biographies

Rachel Emas, George Washington University

Rachel Emas (she/her) (rachelemas@gwu.edu) focuses on sustainability and environmental policies, particularly in the areas of sustainable and equitable urban food systems. She also studies public service pedagogy and inclusive teaching practices.

Eiko Strader, George Washington University

Eiko Strader (she/her) (strader@gwu.edu) is an interdisciplinary scholar with a deep interest in the role of welfare state policies and practices in shaping social inequality, particularly in relation to gender. Her research is guided by one overarching question: how can we build a more equitable society?

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