Francesca 10/30 Adorno

In discussing Adorno’s ideology, a particular concept resonated with the nature of white privilege. Adorno writes, “The defrauded masses today cling to the myth of success still more ardently than the successful.” This quote conveys the American myth of meritocracy. Our country represents an ideal of boundless success that can be attained through any person’s hard work. This ideal serves as the integrity of a capitalist economy. However, the integrity of such an economy is theoretical. When put into practice, the objectives of capitalism are either catalyzed or impeded by various factors. These factors include those of sex, sexual orientation, and most evidently, race. The notion of the American dream is presented to those of minority populations in order to substantiate their hard work. Yet, there is transparent racial discrimination that serves as subtle barriers to ultimate financial achievement. As the dominant culture, whites possess a collection of unearned assets that are unknowingly utilized daily. This concept is relative to that of the “invisible backpack”, ascribed by writer Peggy McIntosh. The myth of meritocracy in this country provides subjugated populations with the false hope that hard work renders the line between themselves and the dominant culture indistinguishable. Yet, as Peggy McIntosh maintains, white privilege can metaphorically be seen as a package of tools white’s unconsciously utilize to maintain their advantage in achieving the American dream. By being given preferential treatment in terms of job promotion, housing location, etc, whites have the upper-hand in acquiring optimum financial advancements. This is given at the expense of minorities whom remain subverted under the control of stereotypes. McIntosh’s invisible backpack provides evidence for the mythology of meritocratic achievement. Thus, Adorno’s argument that these subjugated people cling to such a myth more ardently than the dominant culture is manifested in white’s lack of recognition regarding their privilege. As whites do not recognize the assets they possess, it is only when a population fails to possess such assets that their utilization is of concern. The myth of success is an ideal that minorities are conditioned to see as attractive in that it validates their labor in seeking to attain the successes white’s find with less struggle.