I'm not sure if you're familiar with Gawker, but I found THIS rather interesting - and perhaps slightly problematic. It's Gawker's Privilege Tournament, and I far from the first to talk about
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Wow, I'm pretty horrified by the whole thing, I have to say. What's the point, exactly, except to goad various parties into arguing with one another? I understand that there's value is getting folks to see that their privilege is cumulative, but the more important truth is that privilege and oppression are situational, and this exercise erases that entirely (as well as implying that positions of less privilege possess some kind of "moral authority," which is the most glib and dismissive way of understanding the situation that I can imagine). :( M.
I totally agree with you! I've done interesting exercises in other contexts that seem to do a far better job of getting people to understand their privilege - and those exercises were far less contentious, too.
And, privilege and oppression are most certainly situational. Sometimes that can me good. I have to say that living here has taught me a lot about privilege. I'm often the "token Anglo" with very little real authority or privilege, but allowed to participate anyway because people don't want to look racist. It a weird way, it's kind of cool that white people get to experience that. And I don't get off when I get pulled over because I'm white and nobody's relative. Not that this is even close to what people of color actually face, but I'm glad that I get to be on the other side of it at least.
as well as implying that positions of less privilege possess some kind of "moral authority," which is the most glib and dismissive way of understanding the situation that I can imagine. That's a huge issue, really
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I think handling this as a "tournament" has such potential for nastiness. Your discussion, though, brings up some excellent points worth debating. Yes, privilege is regional. I never had a moment's discrimination for being Catholic until my first trip to Georgia. And, sadly, I've heard a horrific anti-Jewish diatribe aimed at an individual in an area with a large Jewish population.
Yeah. I've participated in many exercises meant to show privilege that seemed far more effective that this/ woldy mentions intersectionality and that is huge. We all identify as many things and this seems to not only force us to compete against each other, but also ourselves. For example, I'll admit to being white and cisgendered, but I'm also short, over-weight, and over-educated and under-employed. Polyamorous was not a category, but I'm that, too.
Identity is complex, as is presentation!
I look at it all very differently, myself. Cody just got back from this really amazing conference of "Rebellious Nurses" (http://rebelnursing.org/) that was all about social justice and how to best create safe and healthy spaces for all to grow and thrive. They talked about this issue in terms of medicine, but I really believe that if we create a system that empowers some of the most marginalized of people (say, an HIV positive, trans-person, sex worker recently immigrated from
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True. If we put together resources that will help the most-marginalized among us, that will help everyone. One of the biggest problems is when people aren't aware of the realities of groups they are prejudiced against--I firmly believe that the more you know real people (even acquaintances) in a group you fear, are prejudiced against, or don't understand, the less prejudiced and fearful you become. Usually.
For one, I knew very little about polyamorous relationships ten years ago, but having read about/heard from people in poly relationships has helped me realize how healthy and supportive they can be. And how wonderful--your posts about the growing relationship between you, Andrew, and Cody simply shone with love and joy. And your posts about the three of you still do.
THANK YOU!!! That means a lot, really. Polyamory can be confusing because it can take so many forms. For many it's basically about open relationships and the freedom to date others. For us, however, it's about forming a loving, family unit. Each has it's challenges, but it's a very different model, I think.
(Ironically, one of our biggest challenges is food. Who knows why, but we are three people with various digestive issues who love each other very much, but cannot always eat the same foods.)
Wow. On the one hand, I guess it's good to see privilege mentioned on Gawker. On the other, it is pretty horrific in terms of insensitivity, mocking the whole issue of discrimination & disadvantage, and it's a classic example of the 'Oppression Olympics' that ignores intersectionality and pits disadvantaged groups against each other.
Privilege is an important conversation, but I think they can do better. I've participated in many an exercise that has been far more effective that this - primarily because they did, in fact, deal with intersectionality. (Thank you for bringing that up, btw.)
Identity is complex, as is presentation! We all identify as many things and this seems to not only force us to compete against each other, but also ourselves. For example, I'll admit to being white and cisgendered, but I'm also short, over-weight, and over-educated and under-employed. Polyamorous was not a category, but I'm that, too.
I look at it all very differently, myself. Cody just got back from this really amazing conference of "Rebellious Nurses" (http://rebelnursing.org/) that was all about social justice and how to best create safe and healthy spaces for all to grow and thrive. They talked about this issue in terms of medicine, but I really believe that if we create a system that empowers some of the most
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yeah, i too find the whole notion of this 'tournament' obnoxious and kind of offensive. there are other, better ways to foster dialogue than to trivialize and make a game out of it. some of your previous commentators have been more articulate than i, as i'm winding down for the night.
There are better ways, you're right. In fact, I've participated in some of them.
Identity is complex, as is presentation! You certainly know this! We all identify as many things and this seems to not only force us to compete against each other, but also ourselves. For example, I'll admit to being white and cisgendered, but I'm also short, over-weight, and over-educated and under-employed. Polyamorous was not a category, but I'm that, too.
I look at it all very differently, myself. Cody just got back from this really amazing conference of "Rebellious Nurses" (http://rebelnursing.org/) that was all about social justice and how to best create safe and healthy spaces for all to grow and thrive. They talked about this issue in terms of medicine, but I really believe that if we create a system that empowers some of the most marginalized of people (say, an HIV positive, trans-person, sex worker recently immigrated from Indonesia), we can help empower everyone.
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And, privilege and oppression are most certainly situational. Sometimes that can me good. I have to say that living here has taught me a lot about privilege. I'm often the "token Anglo" with very little real authority or privilege, but allowed to participate anyway because people don't want to look racist. It a weird way, it's kind of cool that white people get to experience that. And I don't get off when I get pulled over because I'm white and nobody's relative. Not that this is even close to what people of color actually face, but I'm glad that I get to be on the other side of it at least.
as well as implying that positions of less privilege possess some kind of "moral authority," which is the most glib and dismissive way of understanding the situation that I can imagine. That's a huge issue, really ( ... )
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Thank you for bringing up this topic.
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Identity is complex, as is presentation!
I look at it all very differently, myself. Cody just got back from this really amazing conference of "Rebellious Nurses" (http://rebelnursing.org/) that was all about social justice and how to best create safe and healthy spaces for all to grow and thrive. They talked about this issue in terms of medicine, but I really believe that if we create a system that empowers some of the most marginalized of people (say, an HIV positive, trans-person, sex worker recently immigrated from ( ... )
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For one, I knew very little about polyamorous relationships ten years ago, but having read about/heard from people in poly relationships has helped me realize how healthy and supportive they can be. And how wonderful--your posts about the growing relationship between you, Andrew, and Cody simply shone with love and joy. And your posts about the three of you still do.
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(Ironically, one of our biggest challenges is food. Who knows why, but we are three people with various digestive issues who love each other very much, but cannot always eat the same foods.)
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Identity is complex, as is presentation! We all identify as many things and this seems to not only force us to compete against each other, but also ourselves. For example, I'll admit to being white and cisgendered, but I'm also short, over-weight, and over-educated and under-employed. Polyamorous was not a category, but I'm that, too.
I look at it all very differently, myself. Cody just got back from this really amazing conference of "Rebellious Nurses" (http://rebelnursing.org/) that was all about social justice and how to best create safe and healthy spaces for all to grow and thrive. They talked about this issue in terms of medicine, but I really believe that if we create a system that empowers some of the most ( ... )
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Identity is complex, as is presentation! You certainly know this! We all identify as many things and this seems to not only force us to compete against each other, but also ourselves. For example, I'll admit to being white and cisgendered, but I'm also short, over-weight, and over-educated and under-employed. Polyamorous was not a category, but I'm that, too.
I look at it all very differently, myself. Cody just got back from this really amazing conference of "Rebellious Nurses" (http://rebelnursing.org/) that was all about social justice and how to best create safe and healthy spaces for all to grow and thrive. They talked about this issue in terms of medicine, but I really believe that if we create a system that empowers some of the most marginalized of people (say, an HIV positive, trans-person, sex worker recently immigrated from Indonesia), we can help empower everyone.
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