Comments on: another word on privilege http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/ Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:03:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: Chip Smith http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/#comment-989 Chip Smith Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:54:42 +0000 http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/#comment-989 The thing is, even if a white (heterosexual, abled, male,...) person is personally pretty decent, that person still retains the advantages that go with being privileged in U.S. society. It's built in. So how do we move from personal awareness to also fundamentally reshaping our social system? For me, one person at a time -- though necessary -- doesn't get it done. The thing is, even if a white (heterosexual, abled, male,…) person is personally pretty decent, that person still retains the advantages that go with being privileged in U.S. society. It’s built in. So how do we move from personal awareness to also fundamentally reshaping our social system? For me, one person at a time — though necessary — doesn’t get it done.

]]> By: dread1myn http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/#comment-855 dread1myn Sun, 18 Nov 2007 21:11:37 +0000 http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/#comment-855 Daisy, you hit it spot on about the fear part. Several people openly admitted that they were too scared to openly object to what happened. One woman said that she was ashamed because she would rather see me hurt and excluded than face her fear of standing up and expressing her objection to what was happening. Believe me, it made me think hard because this is a group that works on social justice issues. Maybe its easier to deal with abstract injustices that affect people far away than when its right at hand. Daisy, you hit it spot on about the fear part. Several people openly admitted that they were too scared to openly object to what happened. One woman said that she was ashamed because she would rather see me hurt and excluded than face her fear of standing up and expressing her objection to what was happening. Believe me, it made me think hard because this is a group that works on social justice issues. Maybe its easier to deal with abstract injustices that affect people far away than when its right at hand.

]]> By: DaisyDeadhead http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/#comment-850 DaisyDeadhead Sun, 18 Nov 2007 13:13:03 +0000 http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/#comment-850 Dread, now that I am older (and my joints lots stiffer), I would totally feel okay backing out of that, if only one person could <i>not </i>participate...I'd say something like "Yall go on ahead," which of course would make TWO people not participating, and might be a bit more disturbing to them. (Would they become *aware* at that point?) But even more than that, I realize I probably would NOT have the nerve to decline all by myself, so the presence of a disabled person would be empowering and strengthening in this instance... so it's all in the perceptions. :) Dread, now that I am older (and my joints lots stiffer), I would totally feel okay backing out of that, if only one person could not participate…I’d say something like “Yall go on ahead,” which of course would make TWO people not participating, and might be a bit more disturbing to them. (Would they become *aware* at that point?)

But even more than that, I realize I probably would NOT have the nerve to decline all by myself, so the presence of a disabled person would be empowering and strengthening in this instance… so it’s all in the perceptions. :)

]]> By: dread1myn http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/#comment-847 dread1myn Sun, 18 Nov 2007 04:18:45 +0000 http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/#comment-847 Wow, what a coincidence! I attended a racial justice conference this morning, where all of those points were mentioned. Oddly, what brought things home to the group was when they all did a group exercise that I could not participate in. Some folks were clearly uncomfortable with that, especially when I was asked to back outside the circle so others wouldn't trip over me. Afterwards, when asked how I felt, I let them have it! It really hit home for them, and many of them were ashamed at their behavior. Wow, what a coincidence! I attended a racial justice conference this morning, where all of those points were mentioned. Oddly, what brought things home to the group was when they all did a group exercise that I could not participate in. Some folks were clearly uncomfortable with that, especially when I was asked to back outside the circle so others wouldn’t trip over me. Afterwards, when asked how I felt, I let them have it! It really hit home for them, and many of them were ashamed at their behavior.

]]> By: Lisa Harney http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/#comment-844 Lisa Harney Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:11:47 +0000 http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/#comment-844 I agree with you on the free pass. There is no guarantee that anyone who is marginalized in some way won't turn around and marginalize people in other ways, no matter how well-meaning they may be. I agree with you on the free pass. There is no guarantee that anyone who is marginalized in some way won’t turn around and marginalize people in other ways, no matter how well-meaning they may be.

]]> By: Pinky Bear http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/#comment-839 Pinky Bear Sat, 17 Nov 2007 18:36:29 +0000 http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/#comment-839 Wow! I look at number one especially. I have been working in housing for such a long time and worked with People with Disabilities who were homeless. It makes me mad to think how many of my sisters and brothers are locked in institutions because they are homeless. Wow! I look at number one especially. I have been working in housing for such a long time and worked with People with Disabilities who were homeless. It makes me mad to think how many of my sisters and brothers are locked in institutions because they are homeless.

]]> By: bev http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/#comment-838 bev Sat, 17 Nov 2007 18:29:24 +0000 http://crip-power.com/2007/11/17/another-word-on-privilege/#comment-838 Yes, I've seen this, but it is important enough it needs to be shared again and again. Your analysis also adds a lot. Many times discrimination becuase of one aspect of one's personhood is not sufficient to teach us to guard against our own prejudices in other areas, but instead fuels a need to find some arena in which we can be the top dog. Thank you for the reminder. Yes, I’ve seen this, but it is important enough it needs to be shared again and again. Your analysis also adds a lot. Many times discrimination becuase of one aspect of one’s personhood is not sufficient to teach us to guard against our own prejudices in other areas, but instead fuels a need to find some arena in which we can be the top dog. Thank you for the reminder.

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