[WAsummit] Using the language of privilege

[Jack C Straton]

Hi Folks,

One response to "I don't feel privileged becuse my boss treats me like 
crap (or any other hierarchy example)" that seems to help is to ask, "How 
might it feel to be a lesbian Latina in a wheelchair with the same boss? 
Would you have any advantages over her in this position?"  This usually 
results in a thoughtful moment at least.

Best,
 	Jack

Jack C. Straton
Associate Professor
University Studies
Portland State University
Portland, OR, 97207-0751
503-725-5844
straton at pdx.edu

On Mon, 21 Sep 2009, Carrie Stewart wrote:

> Forgive me if my reply sounds curmudgeonly :>)  Precise language is
> important, and as our understanding evolves, certainly our language must.
> I'm not aware of the word 'privilege' falling out of fashion - but it may be
> just that.  There is no denying that whites (say it with me :>) enjoy
> unearned privileges in our society because we are white.  Any changes in
> terms will not change that fact.
>
> I have experienced whites' discomfort with the term because, most whites
> don't feel particularly 'privileged' in their lives. Mostly I think the
> feeling does come from a visceral reaction regarding class, or access to
> material power.  I think as leaders we have to stick with them through this
> and move the conversation to race.
>
> Objections on class issues is, frankly to me, another obfuscation to not
> deal directly with race.  We as whites are *so* good at changing the
> conversation his way. :>)
>
> I think the term 'supremacy' takes a higher level of consciousness/analysis
> that is harder for white folks to get.
>
> I do appreciate the activity and activists on this list!
>
> Carrie
>
> Carrie Stewart
> carrie.stewart at swbell.net
> 817-685-2542 (H)
> 512-350-9030 (M)
> "Our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure"  ~ Marianne
> Williamson
>
> From: wasummit-bounces at lists.wacan.org
> [mailto:wasummit-bounces at lists.wacan.org] On Behalf Of Louisa Davis
> Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 4:00 PM
> To: White Anti-racist Summit
> Subject: Re: [WAsummit] Using the language of privilege
>
> I'm increasingly cutting to the chase with language of white "supremacy? "
> Has a fairly concrete observable-ness to it, if you ask me-as in Congress,
> court system, education.
>
> I too wonder what they'd choose if given the choice?  I've also heard from
> more than a few activists of color that they find the word privilege
> unhelpful also-because it obfuscates the possibility of greater working
> class solidarity vs the color of wealth.
>
> I also like the NVC distinction between internal and external resources-as
> the power to meet needs.  We ALL have ialmost nfinite internal resources,
> but some of us have a lot more external resources, including access to
> services, credit, etc. Does "greater access" work-if linked with concrete
> numbers?
> -- 
> Louisa L. Davis, M.Div., PhD
> 11330 Dockside Circle
> Reston, VA 20191
> home: (703) 860-1203
> cell: (240) 338-5156
>
>
> When the book and the bird disagree, always believe the bird.
> --John Audubon
>
>
>  _____
>
> From: Hillary Stephenson <emptytemple at gmail.com>
> Reply-To: White Anti-racist Summit <wasummit at lists.wacan.org>
> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:37:55 -0600
> To: White Anti-racist Summit <wasummit at lists.wacan.org>
> Subject: Re: [WAsummit] Using the language of privilege
>
> Hi Francie-
>
> I agree with you about the word 'privilege' putting white folks off. Can you
> say more about their argument? Is it the class thing? (how sometimes people
> hear "privilege" and think WASPS in the Hamptons), or is it some other
> argument?
>
> What other word are they suggesting? (or are they leaving that dilemma to
> you? :) )
>
> That might help me give you feedback.
>
> Hope you are well,
> Hillary
>
> (AWARE-L.A.)
>
> Hillary Stephenson
> Doctoral Student, Transformative Studies
> California Institute of Integral Studies
>
> Lenz Fellow, Naropa University
>
> The fundamental delusion of humanity is to suppose that I am here and you
> are out there.  -Yasutani Roshi
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 21, 2009 at 2:05 PM, Frances Kendall
> <francie at franceskendall.com> wrote:
>
> Hello folks,
> I need some feedback, please. For the third time in 2 weeks, I have heard
> people say that "privilege" is no longer a useful word (when related to
> oppression, I guess) and that they would prefer me to use another word. My
> belief is that people are scared that the word puts whites off. Anybody else
> heard about this?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Francie
>
> On 9/21/09 12:49 PM, "Sharon Martinas" <cws at igc.org  <http://cws@igc.org>
> <http://cws@igc.org> > wrote:
> Larry,
> I hope your health and work issues have improved since you last posted.
>
> I agree with you that this list serve, as a list serve, is unlikely to
> INITIATE an organizational action. Most of us has not worked together, nor
> do we necessarily have shared strategies about how best to challenge racism.
> Many of the people on this list, myself included, just attended a white
> privilege conference and that's how we elected to participate in this list
> serve.
>
> But I believe the list serve is an excellent place for people to RESPOND to
> an action that is initiated by others who have and are actually working
> together-- often in the 'real' world.  People on this list serve can sign
> petitions, donate to ads, forward the action info to our own networks, raise
> the issues at events or meetings or classes or workshops we participate in.
> In organizing language, we can help to build an 'anti-racist movement.' Or,
> in the powerful language of The People's Institute, we can 'network:'   we
> can help to build a net that works.
>
> Personally, I think it is helpful to know what a computer-based
> communication network can and cannot do.  In my view, we can help to
> 'mobilize' around anti-racist issues.  But not necessarily, as a list serve,
> to 'organize'.   For many of us, our capacities to 'organize' reside in our
> home-bases, the communities in which we live.
>
> much love and respect,  sharon
>
> On Sep 21, 2009, at 7:12 AM, Larry Yates wrote:
> Sorry folks, to have dropped a somewhat large message and then disappeared.
> I was dealing with a combination of work and health issues, and just had to
> put this "volunteer" email list to the back of the line.
>
> I very much appreciated Tema Okun's input that Highlander is taking some
> action somewhat similar to what we discussed. Former Pres Jimmy Carter's
> words have also changed the discussion substantially. And someone had a
> contact with Color of Change, I believe.
>
> I guess at this point my gut feeling is that we aren't going to organize
> something on this email list -- I counted 3-4 responses with a desire to be
> active, and I don't think it's enough -- but that this can be a good place
> for us to check in with each other about what is being done and what we
> ourselves try to stimlulate.
>
> I have heard that one Virginia group is considering assembling various white
> groups to speak up on the racism ex and implicit in teabagging. Joe Wilson's
> outburst is one catalyst. When there is more to say on that, I will share
> it.
>
> I am grateful to have this place to discuss these matters, though we are not
> an organization.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Larry Yates
> PO Box 245
> Maurertown VA
> 540 436 3432
> llyates at shentel.net  <http://llyates@shentel.net>
> <http://llyates@shentel.net>
> www.user.shentel.net/llyates  <http://www.user.shentel.net/llyates>
> <http://www.user.shentel.net/llyates>
> <http://www.user.shentel.net/llyates> <http://www.user.shentel.net/llyates>
> ==================================
>
> "Better, I thought, for me in my rough being
> to force makeshift connections,
> patches, encounters, rows
> better to swim in trouble like a muddy river rising
> than to become at last all thesis,
> correct, consistent but hollow
> the finished ghost
> of my own struggle."
>
> from "The Homely War"
> in the book of poems Living in the Open
> by Marge PIercy
>
>
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