I loved the video. I think that it is a really clear way to describe privilege. By using that approach, there really is no foggy areas, it is what it appeared to be- unfair. I also enjoyed the approach in the article. This was especially great because it wasn't an extremist approach that blamed anyone for anything. This approach looked at the system of things and noticed that it works in favor for one particular side. An example of privilege I can think of is fitness testing in P.E. Of course the people who are more athletic ability are going to do better than those who are not. I know in high school there were always people who were better or had more privilege than me because of what they were capable of doing. Sports is set out to be a privileged system for those who are athletic. Either these people are born with talent or they acquire it. Either way they have something I, along with many others do not have.
The situation I heard about a few weeks ago was about a possible ballot initiative that might be allowed to proceed under California law. The proposed legislation is titled as the "Sodomite Suppression Act" which proposed criminalizing sodomy and allowing the death penalty for anyone who engages in any actions that show interest in the same gender for purposes of sexual gratification. This definitely involves privilege because those of us who not identify as being attracted to the same sex have a much better chance of not being prosecuted for something. Also the lawyers who came up with this law have privilege because they know how to work around the law to get something like this even on a ballot. If this is passed the consequences will be detrimental to our society and the LGBTQ community.
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/03/20/death-penalty-for-gays-ballot-initiative-mclaughlin-harris-california-capital-punishment-sodomy/
I really enjoyed the video as well and saw a lot of truth in it. I agree that there is no sugarcoating privilege and it is just downright unfair and one sided. I was never good at fitness testing either and wished that I was able to be as good as others and be good at fitness testing but didn't have the privilege to succeed in the testing because of my abilities. I don't think that it is right for the LGBTQ to be discriminated against and persecuted because they are different, that is just not right. I also believe that the privilege is going to the lawyers because they have the power and authority to control the rights in society, unlike the LGBTQ community.
ReplyDeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the video just as much as you did. It illustrated a very clear view point about how life can be unfair. I really liked how you brought up sports and athletic ability as being a privilege.. and I can totally understand how it can be seen that way. I have been playing sports all my life and was blessed with a huge athletic ability and I didn't see it being as a privilege until now. Thanks for bringing that to my attention!
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your response but I would have really liked to hear more about what you thought of privilege and if you had anymore stories that could related in regards to privilege.