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Writer's pictureAdina Deacu 邱天美

The Invisible Backpack Nobody Speaks About

Updated: May 22

In the journey towards creating more inclusive and equitable societies, the "invisible backpack" concept becomes not only a powerful metaphor, but also an important tool to promote diversity and inclusion. 

在创建更具包容性和公平的社会的过程中,“看不见的背包”一概念不仅成为一个强有力的隐喻,也是促进多样性和包容性的重要工具。


Originating from discussions on privilege, from an environmental psychology perspective, the term encompasses a broader understanding of the myriad experiences and influences that shape individuals' perceptions, behaviors, and interactions with the world. 

源于对特权的讨论,该术语从环境心理学的角度来看,涵盖了对塑造个人感知、行为和与世界互动的无数经历和影响的更广泛理解。


This article explores the origins of the invisible backpack concept, its connection with environmental psychology, and its profound implications for conflict resolution, diversity, and inclusion.

本文探讨了看不见的背包概念的起源,它与环境心理学的联系,以及它对冲突解决、多样性和包容性的深刻影响。



Origins of the Invisible Backpack Concept 看不见的背包概念的起源



The term "invisible backpack" was popularized by Peggy McIntosh in her seminal essay, "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack," published in 1989. 

佩吉·麦金托什在1989年发表的开创性文章《白人特权:打开隐形背包》中推广了“看不见的背包”一概念。


McIntosh, a feminist scholar, used the metaphor of an invisible knapsack to describe the unearned advantages that white people often enjoy in society. 

女权主义学者麦金托什用一个看不见的背包的比喻来描述白人在社会中经常享有的不劳而获的优势。


Peggy McIntosh sharing her ideas in a TEDx talk.


These advantages, she argued, are so ingrained and pervasive that they are often unnoticed by those who possess them. 

她认为,这些优势是如此根深蒂固和普遍,以至于拥有这些优势的人往往会忽视它们。


McIntosh's work sparked widespread discussions on privilege and laid the foundation for understanding the invisible backpack in terms of societal power dynamics.

麦金托什的工作引发了关于特权的广泛讨论,并为从社会权力动态的角度理解看不见的背包奠定了基础。



Extended Understanding through Environmental Psychology

通过环境心理学视角扩展理解


Building upon McIntosh's ideas, the concept of the invisible backpack extends beyond privilege to encompass the entirety of individuals' lived experiences. 

在麦金托什思想的基础上,看不见的背包的概念超越了特权,涵盖了个人的全部生活经历。


Tool created by Tianmei's World Academy  / 《天美的世界学苑》设计的工具


From traumas to cultural influences, socioeconomic backgrounds to learned behaviors, each person carries a unique set of influences that shape one’s perception about the self and their worldview. 

从创伤到文化影响,从社会经济背景到习得行为,每个人都有一系列独特的影响,这些影响塑造了一个人对自我和世界观的看法。


Environmental psychology offers a lens through which to understand how these experiences are not only shaped by, but also interact with the environment, including, but not limited to, physical spaces, social dynamics, or cultural norms.

环境心理学提供了一个视角,通过它来理解这些体验不仅是由环境塑造的,而且是如何与环境相互作用的,包括但不限于物理空间、社会动态或文化规范。




Role in Diversity and Inclusion 在多样性和包容性中的作用


This explains why different people will have different perspectives, and why “right” or “wrong” are often subjective concepts.

这就解释了为什么不同的人会有不同的观点,以及为什么“对”或“错”往往是主观概念。 


It can also explain why efforts for creating environments where all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute is a complex process. 

这也可以解释为什么创造一个让所有人都感到受到重视、尊重和有权做出贡献的环境是一个复杂的过程。


A quick look at the discourse available on social media and life in general will showcase dialog focused on who’s right or wrong, instead of considering viewpoints as perspectives to be appreciated as reflection points, not as an attempt to prove someone wrong.

快速浏览一下社交媒体和生活中的话语,就会发现对话的重点是谁对谁错,而不是将观点视为反思点,非试图证明某人错了。


Source: Unsplash


Becoming aware of the invisible backpack makes it easier to recognize and honor the diverse backgrounds, identities, and perspectives that individuals bring with them. 

意识到看不见的背包的存在将使每个人更容易识别和尊重个人带来的不同背景、身份和观点。


Understanding that different people’s perspectives are influenced by the content of the “invisible backpacks” they carry makes it easier to become more inclusive, accepting “different” as being just “different” or as “an enrichment of perspective”, not as “wrong”.

了解不同的人的观点受到他们所携带的“看不见的背包”内容的影响,会更容易变得更具包容性,将“不同”视为单纯的“不同”或“观点的丰富”,而不是“错误”。



Impact on Conflict Resolution

对冲突解决的影响


The contents of the invisible backpack each of us carries and the focus on “right“ or “wrong” can significantly influence conflict creation and resolution processes. 

我们每个人背着的看不见的背包的内容以及对“对”或“错”的关注都会对冲突的产生和解决过程产生重大影响。


Misunderstandings, biases, past traumas and every other experience we’ve had since birth until present moment carried in our backpacks will influence how each of us understands the same concept. 

误解、偏见、过去的创伤以及我们从出生到现所经历的一切,都会影响我们每个人对同一概念的理解。


This will contribute to further misunderstandings, conflict creation, escalation, as well as hinder resolution efforts.

这将导致进一步的误解、冲突的产生和升级,并阻碍解决问题的努力。


Source: Unsplash


By acknowledging and addressing the diverse experiences and perspectives present in the room, understanding that other people’s reactions are not something to take personal, conflict resolution can become more empathetic, inclusive, and effective, beyond a “who’s right or wrong” conundrum. 

通过承认和解决房间里存在的不同经历和观点,理解他人的反应不是针对个人的,冲突解决可以变得更具同理心、包容性和有效,超越“谁对谁错”的难题。


Becoming more curious and open to dialog, employing active listening, and mutual respect allows you to unpack your own backpack and those of other people, fostering deeper understanding and reconciliation.

变得更好奇、更开放地进行对话、积极倾听和相互尊重,可以让你了解自己和他人看不见的背包,促进更深的理解与和解。




Why Mindfulness about the Invisible Backpack Matters

为什么对看不见的背包的正念很重要


Being mindful of one's own invisible backpack and those of others is crucial for fostering empathy, understanding, and meaningful engagement. 

注意自己和他人的看不见的背包对于培养同理心、理解和有意义的参与至关重要。


By acknowledging the privileges, biases, and experiences that shape our perceptions and behaviors, we can become more conscious of our impact on others and the world around us.

通过承认影响我们认知和行为的特权、偏见和经历,我们可以更加意识到自己对他人和周围世界的影响。


This awareness enables us to challenge injustice, advocate for equity, and cultivate inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive.

这种意识使我们能够挑战不公正,倡导公平,并培养包容的空间,让每个人都能茁壮成长。


Moreover, understanding the invisible backpacks of others allows us to approach interactions and conflicts with empathy and compassion.

此外,了解他人看不见的背包可以让我们以同理心和同情心来处理互动和冲突。


Source: Unsplash


By recognizing that everyone carries their own baggage, we can avoid making assumptions, stereotyping, or dismissing others' perspectives. 

通过认识到每个人都有自己看不见的背包,我们可以避免做出假设、刻板印象或忽视他人的观点。


Instead, we can seek to understand, listen actively, and engage in genuine dialog that bridges differences and promotes mutual respect.

相反,我们可以寻求理解,积极倾听,并进行真正的对话,弥合分歧,促进相互尊重。


In a rapidly changing and interconnected world, mindfulness about the invisible backpack is more important than ever. 

在一个快速变化和相互关联的世界里,对看不见的背包的正念比以往任何时候都更重要。


As we navigate complex social, cultural, and environmental challenges, acknowledging and honoring the diversity of human experiences is essential for building resilient communities and fostering a more just and equitable society.

在我们应对复杂的社会、文化和环境挑战时,承认和尊重人类经历的多样性对于建设有韧性的社区和促进一个更加公正和公平的社会至关重要。



Towards the End

接近尾声


The concept of the invisible backpack serves as a powerful reminder of the diverse influences that shape individuals' lives and interactions. 

看不见的背包的概念有力地提醒人们,影响个人生活和互动的因素多种多样。


From privilege to trauma, cultural heritage to learned biases, each person carries a unique set of experiences that influence how they perceive and engage with the world. 

从特权到创伤,从文化遗产到习得性偏见,每个人都有一系列独特的经历,这些经历会影响他们对世界的感知和参与。


By unpacking our own invisible backpacks and being mindful of those of others, we can foster empathy, understanding, and inclusion in our communities and beyond.

通过了解我们自己看不见的背包,注意他人的背包,我们可以在我们的社区内外培养同理心、理解和包容。


In doing so, we take a crucial step towards building a more equitable and compassionate society for all.

在这样做的过程中,我们朝着为所有人建立一个更加公平和富有同情心的社会迈出了关键的一步。


 

Adina Deacu is an Environmental Psychology Researcher studying different learning, working and living environments as context of behavior, as well as the influence that human behavior has in return on the environment as a whole. Through all the projects that she works on, she takes into account both the physical environments (interior/exterior design), as well as the social ones (human interaction design). She is also the founder of Tianmei's World Academy, a decentralized "network of classrooms" cross-cultural educational platform.


You may reach out via LinkedIn or email tianmeisworld (@) outlook (.) com.


You may also Subscribe to Tianmei's World Academy's newsletter.

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