Rugged Individualism

Rugged individualism has been a common ideal of Americans. It is the belief that all can succeed on their own and that government assistance should be minimal. Because of this belief, it keeps the white privilage hidden. It allows people to claim that they've gotten where they are based on their own hard work. Other factors could not possibly have gotten them where they are. They feel they entirely earned it on their own. They think if they can, everyone else can too. They never question how they've gotten where they are today. These thoughts deny the existence of white privilage. They never think their success could in part be due to the white skin color, only hard work. They look down upon different races because they feel it is their own fault that they are unsuccessful, rather than considering outside factors.