After watching the video and reading the bike article I now look at the term "privilege" through a different lens. The video demonstrated a great way teach a group of students about privilege. I agree with its message. If we are one of the students sitting in the front of the class and find it easy to make a basket with our wadded up paper we should serve as advocates for those in the rows behind. Key phrase is "advocate for those who in the rows behind." We should not be afraid to speak up for those who are not being treated fairly because of their gender, race, or religion. All of us as college students should be aware that our education alone is a privilege, a privilege that many are not allowed or even given the opportunity.
As far as me, personally experiencing privilege in some way, I found it difficult to pin point a time. Yes, I am a female and I am a minority. There were many times where I felt that I wasn't treated fairly or given an equal opportunity but I never let that discourage me. One thing I've learned is not to dwell on things when they don't work out or don't seem fair. I like to just tell myself, "get back up, dust of your knees, and move on."
The article I found was quite interesting and I've shared the link below. The overall message this article shares is that we are more privileged than we think we are. This is true. As part of an experiment the writer carries around a little plastic white man in her pocket as a reminder of this. In her exact words, "Privilege is plastic, it has no space in reality."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/03/kenya-robinson_n_6973488.html
I too am a minority and I like your motto! Throughout life I felt at times that I was treated differently from certain things. I am like you, if things do not work out I move on and hope for the best for the next thing that comes my way. I like your article and how they say, " I am privileged and I am able to express myself in a positive way"! Sends out a strong message for others.
ReplyDeleteYou have a very positive outlook and I love it! As peer mentors it is important for us to be able to acknowledge privilege and to be able to help our students when they are faced with issues that may arise based on this societal notion of privilege. I have an example of an issue that could arise for us as peer mentors because it happened to me this year. After the Fall semester had ended and i finished my PASS form I was told that although I worked hard all semester in SSS I still wasn't going to receive the grant because the FAFSA claimed I didn't have any need for it due to the amount of money my dad makes. Because my parents claim me as a dependent on taxes my FAFSA reflected the amount of money he makes and although my parents don't help me pay for school, I wasn't able to receive the grant because of the way financial aid works. When this happened to me I was upset and felt like it was unfair that just because my parents make a lot of money I wasn't able to receive the grant. Obviously this doesn't happen to most students, it was just a case specific situation but I feel it is important for us to know how to handle situation that privilege may play a role in because they can most definitely arise when mentoring so many different students.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Savannah that wasn't fair. Financial Aid, grants, and scholarships like to be sneaky and tricky!!! When I apply for grants and scholarships it's sad but I always have to think, is this going to effect my financial aid. If yes, is it going to be worth it.
ReplyDeleteVidal, I almost wrote my blog post on the same article. I found it interesting how a piece of plastic created such a discussion. I liked the video clip that was shown in the article. It reminded of a TV series called "Mad Men". It really displays the life men of that era lived and how they treated women. For them, it was a reason to wear the product or it was the norm. They have the privilege to act as they wish because of the way the way they were born. It is difficult to not let the way we are born shape the way society sees us and treats us. I also liked the quote, "Privilege is plastic, it has no space in reality."
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