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this post was submitted on 09 Dec 2023
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Feminism
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I navigate my "whiteness" by covering it in clothes... then getting treated dismissively by doctors because I "have plenty of resources", "have your family help you", "just change your whole life or you'll be dead in 5 years", and "have you already stopped with those silly ideas?".
Thanks for the privilege, by the way.
I'm healthy, fit, educated, and kinda rich. I'm also a man.
Do you believe those circumstances grant me with privilege?
The answer is obviously yes, so I'll acknowledge it, rather than try to change the subject to ways in which I'm not privileged. Bringing up ways that white people may not be so privileged doesn't actually address whiteness as privilege.
And privilege isn't even something to feel guilty about. It's just worth acknowledging in a "know thyself" kind of way.
@FZDC
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello,_Privilege._It%27s_Me,_Chelsea
What about ways in which "being privileged", turns out to actually be a hindrance?
I used to be a healthy, fit, educated, not poor, not homeless, white, tall, man, blonde, with blue eyes... oh, and high IQ.
Wait, did I just describe the Aryan ideal? Ultra-privileged, right?
What pisses me off, is that after being aware of those privileges from relatively early, and being really careful to never abuse any of them, when it turns out that I need help, instead I get my privileges thrown in my face.
It's not a privilege to get mocked and laughed off by doctors, to get failed by teachers, to get your work destroyed, to not get believed about family problems, all because "you're privileged".
Heck, I once almost got run over by a car, because I nodded at a black girl to let her pass first, and she went off her way to hit me with the stroller with her baby inside, pushing me off the curb into traffic. Like, seriously?
So what, did I live my life wrong? Should have joined some neo-Nazi group? Should have used my privileges to abuse and scam everyone left and right? Should have kicked the baby...? The fuck.
Do take a look at the following video. You will find answers, if that's what you are looking for.
How to recognize your white privilege — and use it to fight inequality [18:26]
That seems to say you should use all your privileges all you can, "but for the good"... while trying not to use them, striving for actual meritocracy, is the wrong way?
Yeah, in retrospect those might be wise words, in a "when among wolves, bite first then be good later" sense, but I find it kind of shitty as a goal for society. Oh well.
You are talking about the introductory text of the video. If you read it once more, you will see that what you mention in your comment is not relevant. Anyways, the important stuff are in the video.
I suggested the Ted talk because one can see her process, since she came to these conclusions thanks to self-reflection and thoughtfulness.
If you prefer reading, here is the text:
White privilege: unpacking the invisible knapsack - Peggy McIntosh