When I think of the ways I experience privilege, I automatically think about my mother and father. They both did not go to college and worked their way up in order to live comfortably. They did this so that I would be able to live a happy life with a roof over my head and food on the table. As a child I was told repeatedly to be grateful for everything I have, especially my health. It was seriously ingrained into my mind that health is wealth, and therefore I must keep my body healthy in order to work hard for the things I want. To be healthy, is a literal privilege. Some people are born with serious health conditions that stop them from being able to flourish with the rest of society. I also experience privilege by going to BMCC. Not everyone has access to education, and I try to remind myself that by having this privilege, I must put it to good use.
As for oppression, I do not feel that I myself have been oppressed. I definitely have had times in my life where I have been discouraged as a woman, at school boys have put me down and made me feel insignificant, and at work I have had some troublesome interactions with men. Otherwise I have only witnessed oppression outside of myself. I think that is why I try to ground myself as often as I can with how privileged I am, as a reminder that there are many people who struggle.
I do want to note that after watching the YouTube video, I cried. I could really feel the pain of the people in the video, I could see it on their faces how awkward it was to start holding hands as equals and gradually move apart from one another. I wish more people had access to videos and resources such as the ones we are reading and watching, educating ourselves on these uncomfortable topics is so important. This weeks readings provided so many examples of privilege and oppression, I was able to find definitions that made it clear for me to understand. In Oppression by Marilyn Frye, she states “The experience of oppressed people is that the living of one’s life is confined and shaped by forces and barriers which are not accidental or occasional and hence avoidable, but are systematically related to each other in such a way as to catch one between and almong them and restrict or penalize motion in any direction.” – This meaning to stop those oppressed from having any outside gain, stripped of resources such as education and affordable housing, and penalized when they show resistance.
In our reading White Privilege by Peggy McIntosh, it was hard to find an exact definition of privilege because she focuses heavily on how white people are not educated on recognizing their privilege. She explains this as; “I have come to see white privilege as an invisible package of unearned assets which I can count on cashing in each day, but about which I was ‘meant’ to remain oblivious. White privilege is like an invisible weightless knapsack of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools and blank checks.” I like how she uses the word unearned, as many think that their parents privilege does not reflect back on their own- and then goes on to list how she cashes in these unearned privileges and to act oblivious to it when doing so.
Thank you for sharing Olivia.
I immediately could resonate with you regarding the privilege that it is to be able to wake up in the morning, eat a warm meal, go to work and pursue an education at BMCC. As you said, “health is wealth” because if my health is great, there is no stopping me from pursuing and living my greatest life. This is a privilege that not everyone is granted and that is exactly why being grateful is so important. It seems that more women than not have experienced similar instances with men. I also don’t consider myself to be oppressed but I have experienced the same discouragement that you mention.
I did not cry watching the video but I was moved, and it was evident that the participants were awkward because they were faced with the reality of each other’s privilege or lack thereof. I think sometimes we forget our own privilege and for those who are less privileged than us, it may be hard for us being faced with that reality.
Do you think that privilege can ever cease to exist?
Hi Olivia!
Thank you for being vulnerable with us and sharing that you had an emotional reaction to the video.
I completely agree that health is often overlooked as a privilege – it really plays a big role in how we navigate our lives. Having access to the proper tools in order to be at our optimal health is something that is difficult for a lot of people. Not everyone has access to healthcare, doctors, or even food and shelter.
Having physical and mental illnesses also affect how well we can succeed, unfortunately. I really wish things were different.
I appreciate your vulnerability in sharing that note and also think it speaks volumes to the lengths these social norms can go. White privilege creates this opportunity for minorities to experience unfair treatment in the fact that they do not have the same life chances and opportunities. They feel the inferiority given the disturbing fact that they are automatically going to be met with lower standards. Given the progression of a system built on colonialism, slavery, and much more, the principle of these horrible historical times is simply in its modern form through the works of white privilege. Oftentimes the difficultly of this concept is that it’s a situation most (white people who are ignorant to their privilege) will not understand unless placed in a direct moment of inferiority due to their skin tone or some other odd thing that simply does not give them the same life chances because of who they are. Its unjust & through this example, complex in efforts to reveal its nature.
I really appreciate your reflection on how the readings and video impact you.