It’s a delicate balance — acknowledging privilege isn’t the same thing as admitting to wrong-doing we haven’t directly participated in. It may be that we had wonderful, totally ethical adoptions but still, we have the babies and we got our babies within a system that isn’t equitable. Even if we ourselves are absolutely swell people, for some other hurting people we may symbolize the oppression they’re fighting.
~ This Woman's Work LJ Syndicate
~ This Woman's Work Original Blog post
OK, this sparked thoughts back to a discussion elsewhere about White Privilege: about how the 'winners' don't even know they have won, or state that they personally are not responsible for the loss of others even while they unconsciously benefit.
You see I think Dawn has hit it on the head ~ at the end it isn't admitting YOU are wrong, but admitting that there IS wrong. Once that elephant is on the table we can start poking at it, cutting it down to size, trying to correct it, make it better.
AS long as we don't know that something is wrong how can we try make it right?
Best way is to think in game terms (as noted elsewhere also) and think: What cards do I have that help or hinder me, or that given the right circumstances I can play to improve my life or my ego or self-esteem?
I have: White, University education, Heteronormative, Well-off family background, Home-owner (Mortgage), Perm Job. All definitely Plus Cards.
I have: Female (not Male), Overweight, No family medical history. Probably others but these are statistically likely to disadvantage me in life, in the educated choices I can make about my self-determination.
I have: Adopted, Blonde, Moved a lot in childhood. Which are mixed fortune. Play them right and you may get somewhere, a bit of interest or other good stuff. Or not, they can be Flaws.
I DON'T have: Poor, Black, Other-sexual, Medical problems (to date).
You? Do you know what cards you have (merits/flaws for the RPs?) and how they really affect you day to day, the choices you can make?
(PS Mood = Physical nasty cold, not subject matter)
Recent Comments