A Dialogue on Privilege

[andrewlittle]

On my blogs I am trying to establish a dialogue about the nature of privilege. Would you be so kind as to read the entry and give me comments and direction, criticism and affirmation, as you see fit. You could make the comments there or here - if here I will incorporate the essence into the entry.

Thanks.

The post can be found at http://revandylittle.com/2009/02/07/power-flower-a-tool-against-tyranny/ or http://wupcpastor.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/privilege-bias-with-power/. They're linked, so you can get there either way.

[Gennee]

Andy, I read both articles and I do see your point. Though bias and prejudice are similar, I believe prejudice can be done more out of ignorance and fear. How can someone dislike another person who is different, and they don't know a thing about that person. It's the same idea with glbt. How many non-glbt folks have taken the time to know and understand someone from that particular group?

I haven't been outside the states all that much but one lament I have heard is that a lot of Americans bring their 'American attitude' with them. To the people in another country it's offensive. It does reek of privilege.

I would like to know more of your thoughts on this topic.

Gennee

[Emproph]

I wrote this on the full article blog (http://wupcpastor.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/privilege-bias-with-power/):

Very insightful and a necessary conversation. A few things stood out for me:

“Exactly when courts are accused of superceding the “will of the people” they are fulfilling their role effectively.”

It recently occurred to me within this past year as to why Dobson and “family” groups are so dead-set on getting these constitutional amendments to require that marriage be between a man and a woman only -- to usurp the very power of the courts. Once it’s in the constitution, the courts are then bound to refer to this bias in their decision making.

“Privilege is the benefit that accrues to the person or group that has to endure the least bias and/or prejudice.”

In the past few years, I’ve really been trying to recognize this in myself, and I agree that “the invisible unflective privilege is the most heinous and insidious.”

I’m pretty introspective as it is, so as I’ve been seeing my own prejudices -- whether it be race, ethnicity or accent, etc. -- I also recognize how few people must actually take a look at this in themselves. Furthermore, I realize that even I can never fully appreciate the prejudice so many others experience, and more so, feel on a regular basis.

For all the social anxiety I feel being in public, I still have the “benefit” of feeling invisible when I walk into a store. I am a white male and can pass for straight, no one is going to notice me or suspect me because of my skin color or accent, etc. - no matter how grungy I may look.

But for others, and I notice this in myself when it comes to people of color, ethnicity or the aged, there is an immediate almost gut feeling that they are “alien” and separate from me, or that I am more intelligent than them.

Fortunately, the more I recognize it, the more I am able to set it aside as a valid criteria for judging them. Interestingly, I have found that language has a lot to do with it. I used to work at a video store in Chicago, and there was one customer who was Mideastern and wore a turban, and as soon as he spoke perfect English, the turban and his dark skin washed away. Margaret Cho is another example. But that doesn’t excuse my initial feelings about people with accents.

Again, fortunately for me, the more I see my own prejudice, the more I’m able to see through it. But I can’t agree with you more in thinking that it’s the invisible and unreflective sense of privilege that’s the most insidious and dangerous.

This past election really reminded me of just how segregated we still are as a nation - my own family reminded me of that.

As proud and relieved as I am to have Obama as president, it’s still ‘odd’ to see him in that position. And I’m looking forward to that novelty wearing off…

[andrewlittle]

... it's what I asked for and wanted.

“Exactly when courts are accused of superceding the “will of the people” they are fulfilling their role effectively.”

It recently occurred to me within this past year as to why Dobson and “family” groups are so dead-set on getting these constitutional amendments to require that marriage be between a man and a woman only -- to usurp the very power of the courts. Once it’s in the constitution, the courts are then bound to refer to this bias in their decision making.

I agree. But I also think it is intentionally setting up a situation in which public opinion can be used to sway legal decisions. It takes a very strong character to consistently make decisions that are counter to the popular culture, especially when the judge(s) is constantly vilified by these groups. I wouldn't doubt that Dobson, et al, are hoping that they can pressure the courts to sell someone up the river - most notably the group that makes up the smallest voting block percentage wise.

“Privilege is the benefit that accrues to the person or group that has to endure the least bias and/or prejudice.”

In the past few years, I’ve really been trying to recognize this in myself, and I agree that “the invisible unflective privilege is the most heinous and insidious.”

I’m pretty introspective as it is, so as I’ve been seeing my own prejudices -- whether it be race, ethnicity or accent, etc. -- I also recognize how few people must actually take a look at this in themselves. Furthermore, I realize that even I can never fully appreciate the prejudice so many others experience, and more so, feel on a regular basis.

For all the social anxiety I feel being in public, I still have the “benefit” of feeling invisible when I walk into a store. I am a white male and can pass for straight, no one is going to notice me or suspect me because of my skin color or accent, etc. - no matter how grungy I may look.

But for others, and I notice this in myself when it comes to people of color, ethnicity or the aged, there is an immediate almost gut feeling that they are “alien” and separate from me, or that I am more intelligent than them.

Fortunately, the more I recognize it, the more I am able to set it aside as a valid criteria for judging them. Interestingly, I have found that language has a lot to do with it. I used to work at a video store in Chicago, and there was one customer who was Mideastern and wore a turban, and as soon as he spoke perfect English, the turban and his dark skin washed away. Margaret Cho is another example. But that doesn’t excuse my initial feelings about people with accents.

Again, fortunately for me, the more I see my own prejudice, the more I’m able to see through it. But I can’t agree with you more in thinking that it’s the invisible and unreflective sense of privilege that’s the most insidious and dangerous.

This past election really reminded me of just how segregated we still are as a nation - my own family reminded me of that.

As proud and relieved as I am to have Obama as president, it’s still ‘odd’ to see him in that position. And I’m looking forward to that novelty wearing off…

Thank you for this - it is a lot of grist for the mill. You will see some of this in the continuation of the essay.

Also, thanks because I don't feel quite so lonely anymore. I thought you were describing me.