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Please explain what links you are making between this idea of privilege and paradigms. Can you draw on your own experiences of your own privilege here?
1. This is written by someone whose original field was that of power through the lens of gender. Describe how she sees that field extending into the field power through the lens of race.
Even today, if not especially in today’s world, race and gender continue to play a significant role in the construction of our identities. Whilst today, gender is represented by a spectrum, historically, it has been predominantly recognized as binary. Similarly, in the United States, there has always been a fixed perception of the two preeminent races: European American (or White) and African American (or Black). Thus, the lens through which one may look at the phenomena that occur between the two genders can in many ways be extended to the two racial groups. The author then uses this to compare the arguably indisputable historical superiority and privilege of men against women, to that of European Americans against African Americans. Through this initial discussion of gender, the author utilizes an example that is relevant to everybody regardless of race, which also acts as a precursor, strengthening the understanding behind the argument which can be made about the prevalence of the hierarchy between the two racial groups.
2. Explain her concept of the idea of ‘privilege’. Do you find this a helpful notion? Explain your thinking, using examples from your own experience if you can.
Although it is a reductionist approach, the author’s view of privilege is encapsulated by the presence of having “unearned” and “unfair” advantages and disadvantages. For those who are ‘privileged,’ it is as though they possess a collection of “assets,” which others do not. Personally, I found this to be a very helpful notion in conveying what privilege is in its essence. Before actively seeking out resources in order to educate myself on this subject, I too was under the assumption that my moral state as an individual depended on my individual moral will. However, I realize now that this is not true. The reality is that we are part of a bigger community whether we want to be or not. Therefore, it becomes our responsibility to acknowledge the privilege which we may or may not possess as result of a “damaged culture.” To be ignorant to it, would be to accede to the norms that this culture continues to perpetuate.
3. Pick one of her items on the list of 50 that elicited a reaction in you. Explain your reaction.
#6 – I can turn on the television or open the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented.
My one true love has and will forever be– reading. Before I was brave enough to go and explore the world by myself, I lived vicariously through books. In fact, I still continue to. One thing that I can distinctly remember is that the first book set I read, always had stories that ended with a ‘moral of the story’. Upon reflection, I have subconsciously carried that practice with me ever since– finding the moral to every story. With each book that I read, I carry forward important messages and life lessons– not only at the end of the story, but throughout. Ultimately, I believe that every story– nonfiction or fiction has a worthwhile takeaway.
Something that came to my attention recently, when an Malaysian author came to our school to talk about her latest book was the representation of culture in literature. Point #6 brought this to the forefront of my mind. As an avid reader, I myself have begun to notice that I rarely saw myself in terms of culture in what I read. Instead the majority of it felt westernised. Westernization is deemed a process whereby societies come under or adopt Western cultures: norms, customs, lifestyle, traditions, etc. And whilst, it’s untrue to claim that there is a complete lack of representation of other cultures in literature, the truth is that there is a major imbalance. The vast majority of books available to kids today are undeniably westernized. Even the representation of other cultures is westernized to fit the pallet of a western audience. Televisions shows and other forms of media are no exception to this. At the end of the day, for most of us, does literature not play a huge role in shaping our thoughts as human beings? And if so, is it fair for kids to grow up being exposed to literature that does not represent their varying cultural backgrounds?
4. Explain what you think is the most important point from the ‘Elusive and Fugitive’ section.
To me, the most notable point addressed in the ‘Elusive and Fugitive’ section was how for those in positions of privilege, the pressure to avoid it is great. The possession of privilege grants a license to a selected few in society “to be ignorant, oblivious, arrogant, and destructive.” It opens doors for “certain people through no virtues of their own.” And if we are honest with ourselves, who would not subconsciously favour being a recipient of such advantages? Only when we ourselves do not find ourselves in “favored states” do we demand acknowledgement of such distinctions. Furthermore, the reality is that a majority of these conditions of privilege are not only “earned or conferred by birth or luck,” they “work systematically.” Thus it is our responsibility to actively advocate against this system that empowers certain groups at the cost of others.
Excellent work Shruti. You have clearly thought hard about this and made some personal links about your reading, and the way we form our paradigms. You have clearly understood that privilege can arise From a number of different places. You mentioned gender, of course, and the focus here is race; but in our case at UWCSEA perhaps for the most of us the real privilege we have is that socio-economic status. I was thinking we never have to think twice about buying a book or having a nice meal, getting enough clothes… And of course that is something that not everybody in the world can say.
And The real thing about privilege, is not just that other people don’t have it but the people who have it don’t even see it. And that’s why the linked paradigms is so tight; Because privilege is essentially another paradigm that affects how we interpret and experience the world
Thank you for this post. Well done.