Eromidayo Olayiwola (Harmony)

Prof. Hollis Glaser

GWS 100-1300

Discussion 4

In what ways do you experience privilege?

After reading the article, I understood that having the ability to breathe is a “privilege,” and it is challenging for me to recognize or appreciate these advantages on a personal level. Peggy McIntosh’s definition of “privilege” includes part of what I refer to as “people’s hard work”, benefits, or having unaware access to a better life in a functioning system. ‘Privileges’ are “unearned”, and my “skin color” was advantageous in any decision (pg. 2). Accordingly, “privilege” refers to a benefit or an unavoidable advantage beyond one’s control.

Looking back, it is a privilege to have been born in Lagos-Nigeria, to have beautiful surroundings, safety, easy commute, the freedom to sleep and wake up whenever I choose and to have attended school in one of the biggest cities in Africa. Being able to pay my expenses, send my children to a private school, find a place of worship, interact with other people in society, see individuals of my color, and feel comfortable in my skin are some things that have benefited my life. Furthermore, I have “privileges” as a result of my immigration to the United States of America, including access to a top-notch education, paid tuition, 24-hour electricity, medical care, and prompt emergency response. In light of this, do I deserve to have the “privilege” if it is an “unearned” advantage?

In what ways do you experience oppression?

            Being from Africa naturally places me in a position where I am a member of a minority group or culture, and I have encountered various forms of discrimination. After reading the essay by Mcintosh and Marilyn Frye and viewing the video, I have come to the opinion that oppression is not dependent on one’s social position and that anyone can experience oppression or discrimination simply for being a “female”. Being a “girl” and being born into a religious and cultural setting impacted the challenges I had to overcome when I was growing up. I had low self-esteem as a child. I received frequent criticism and humiliation for wearing pant trousers. The freedom to play and explore with “males” around me throughout my childhood was taken away from me. I recall being 17 years old and strolling down the street when an unknown man slapped my butt and fled. I was in awe! My mother said “aso tio wo ti fun ju,” which means the dress I was wearing was too tight when I informed her about it. Does that justify the action? No! Does that support what was done? No! How unfortunate that some of this prejudice stems from “female.” I’ve been consistently pressured to act by how “they” believe I should, and I’ve heard repeated warnings not to walk or wear a certain dress out of fear of being raped.

To be honest, I have encountered persecution, mockery, and bias on countless occasions since moving to the United States of America. I remember a “female” employee calling me an illiterate. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend a meeting with my “female boss” and write a report as well. My coworker overheard this and told me that I had no business attending “the meeting,” that I was uneducated, and that Africans don’t go to school, and I grinned as I stared at her. And this from a black “female” high school dropout.

 How does watching this video and doing the readings help you define the concepts of privilege and oppression and what are your current definitions?

According to Mcintosh, “privilege” refers to advantages based on one’s “skin color” rather than one’s class, religion, ethnicity, or geographic location. In other words, those who share the same race as “white” get privileges at the expense of others who are different from them (pg. 2,3). For instance, “I can switch on the television or open the front page of the newspaper and see people of my “skin color” well portrayed” (McIntosh). People without this skin tone are consequently viewed differently because it is not the dominant “skin tone”. Another quote to use is “I can be quite sure that if I ask to talk to the “person in charge,” I will be facing a person of my race” (pg. 2).

This is the problem with privilege—it fails to recognize that other people lack or require what you take for granted. One must count the “things” they have access to and can enjoy without having to work hard to comprehend the concept of privilege. It’s also important to hear other people’s perspectives or experiences.  Profiting from or taking advantage of a “functioning system” without having to work hard or acknowledge your advantage is what is meant by “privilege.” In an equitable society, McIntosh contends, there should be no exceptions to the rule of reasonable expectations, such as the expectation that your neighbors would treat you well or that your race won’t be a factor in legal proceedings. such as the ability to disregard the needs of the underprivileged and to deform both the holders’ and the ignored group’s humanity. All people should be able to enjoy privilege equally (pg2,3).

On the other hand, is oppression when a member of the underrepresented (female) group may experience discrimination in the form of barriers or disadvantages concerning the central thesis of “feminist” that women are oppressed? (Frye pg. 2). Yes, in a world where “men” dominate, women are oppressed, viewed as inferior, not good enough, and prevented from having equal status with “men.” Do “men” believe that being “man” gives them privileges? No! Perhaps males don’t realize how much they oppress, limit, marginalize, and press “female” under the pretense that “men are tormented too.” To put it another way, “man” is “privileged” and “benefits” from institutional systems since they are mostly in power or political influence. I receive harassment for my appearance regularly—I’m told I can’t go out at night, I can’t do well in politics, I can’t go to the front lines of battle, my dressing may attract rape, I am barren, I have to do domestic labor all the time, I’m pregnant and deemed to be “temporarily disabled”—it’s labeled “oppression,” “discrimination,” and “limitation.” As a result, up until this point, I had to modify my behavior to be perceived as a “female”. It’s an unfair system!

When privilege and oppression intersect

This essay caught my attention meanwhile “everyone” or “anyone” might relate to it. He discusses intersectionality and how it differs, the possibilities, the experiences, and how privileges and oppression are connected. it also discusses how the obstacles we face are particular to us based on our identities. It demonstrates how social identities operate on several levels, resulting in various possibilities, challenges, and experiences for every individual. the idea that social classifications such as race when they apply to a particular person or group can result in multiple, components of discrimination or disadvantage (P.O.I).

It makes me think of how I was treated at work in 2020. At the time, covid was high, and I was pregnant. I coughed, was exhausted, and my head hurt. I asked my “supervisor” to let me go home. She apologized for not being able to authorize it and instructed me to speak with the “director,” even though I couldn’t get her on the phone. I kept saying that I was growing weaker after 45 minutes, but she still refused. I sent an email to my “director” and left work to see my doctor and tested positive for covid 19. When I returned to work two weeks later, she scolded me, threatening to withhold payment because I had quit, adding that “African women” are resilient because they face adversity, and that I should not have left my job. I said “I was ill”, and she retorted, “But you weren’t dying.” She was given a two-week suspension after I told my “director” everything that transpired. I’m oppressed by my “supervisor,” a “African American woman,” and I’ve been given “privileged” treatment by my “female White Director,” who has paid my full wage and helped me achieve justice after being harassed.