The readings this week were filled with great examples of privilege and oppression. In Marilyn Frye’s book “Oppression” she breaks down the circumstances that differentiates oppression from what may look oppressive until its viewed in depth. Some people use the word oppression loosely when it really means you’re being hindered simply because you are who you are whether it be gender, and race or etc. She tells us it is okay to acknowledge a person is experiencing an unfortunate situation without it qualifying as oppressive. Someone who is oppressed is caged in to a stigma of what the hierarchy of society expects them to be. I remember a couple of times (not consecutively) going shopping and being trailed in a hair store, discount store etc. simply because of my skin color likely. That to me is oppressive not just unfortunate. I was likely followed because the notion is black people steal essentially I’m being followed just for being black. This would probably not be the case for a white person they are more likely to follow me. The same clerk following me can then turn around and say they are being oppressed for trying to protect their inventory and make sure no one steals so they are benefiting from making my shopping experience uncomfortable, not me.
“White Privilege” by Peggy McIntosh speaks on the white privilege and power that white people do not realize they have simply for being white. McIntosh says there is an unearned power in being white and as a result, they should begin to think of ways to utilize that privilege and power in a way that brings equity to all races. I don’t think I had a childhood where I could honestly point out being under privileged, but that is mainly because I was too young to understand what that even looked like. As an adult I see and recognize it more than I would prefer. Especially in the school I work in certain situations white parents are given the benefit of the doubt but the minority parents are frowned upon in the same situations. I will say it is not at the fault of anyone but society that this is the case. Society created the narrative of superiority in race and while there is no doubt we have progressed there is certainly a long way to go in achieving equality for all and it meaning more than words!!
Hey Miranda, I like how you defined what it’s like to be oppressed. I agree that just because you’re in a certain situation doesn’t make you oppressed. That makes me think of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” While Mayella was very poor, she still very much had white privilege, which is why so many people believed her when she said Tom raped her.
Hey Miranda, I like how you kept it honest about not feeling privileged growing up. But you say the difference between white parents that were given the benefit of the doubt but the minority parents were frowned upon. You witnessed the truth behind who can get away with things and who can’t. Your race and ethnic background indeed rule this country. I see it too many times, and it becomes exhausting. Even now, being in school, I feel like the simple fact is that I fall into the minority group. That I am automatically going to speak up for everything. I speak up for what’s right and what I deserve because I work hard for what I want.