The exercise on Wednesday was interesting. I think it really
opened up people’s eyes in class when it comes to the idea of diversity and backgrounds.
By having our eyes closed, the class did not get to see who felt the same way or
endured the same encounters, but what they got to see after was who stood where
they did. It just went to show that no matter what your ethnicity/race is,
there are always going to be people on the same level, on a higher level, or on
a lower level. When it came to things I stepped forward for, or my advantages,
having books in my house, having my parents say I was beautiful, and knowing
someone who is a doctor, lawyer, therapist etc. were things that I moved up
for. Working as an afterschool program leader for underprivileged families, I
see how important and how privileged I was growing up to have those things and
still to this day do. Not only do some of my students not know how to read, I
know they do not have books at home to practice. Then, I am able to witness
first hand when the students get picked up, how their parents interact with
them. Sometimes it is not always obvious who is getting the proper attention at
home, and other times it is like “what can I do, to provide that child with love
for the three hours I see them Monday through Friday?” Sometimes the simplest
things, that you think, like owning books and having encouraging parents can be
the most challenging to provide and that has such a negative impact on a child’s
education and self-esteem.
As for McIntosh’s quote, I agree with it because I feel as
though it goes back to this idea of there being “silences,” things we do not
say out loud because it might strike a chord in people. The quote of “Keeping
most people unaware…serves to keep power in the same groups that have most of
it already,” really stands out to me because I feel it is the basis for our
social structure today. It is almost like the saying of, “the less you know the
better,” which is what the hierarchy wants you to think, but in reality it only
leaves you out of the loop on things that pertain to your everyday life.
The reverse racism blog was not only humorous, but I feel a
good representation of the idea of reverse racism. To me, it is showing a flip
side to the way things are but should be. People of color are now the MAJORITY
in this country, yet for some reason we are still fascinated with the “white”
ideals. Why? It is because of fear or laziness, or maybe a little of both? The
point is though, we are now the MAJORITY and I think once people start
realizing that we can move forward with banning together and making a change.
Hi Alyce,
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting- the book scenario really sticks out to people for some reason (Indeed, that is one I remember from doing this exercise over 10 years ago!). I wonder why that is? It does seem that you are able to compare the privileges that you with the children you work with- to stretch that example a little further, what are some of the 'categories' that not having books at home, or not having a parent that reads to you correspond with? In other words, privileges and penalties are accorded along major 'axes' (race, class, gender, sexuality, educational access, etc) rather than individual experiences. What are some of the characteristics of the children you work with that may lead to them not having the same privileges that you do? It may be helpful to think of the video game analogy here- what 'setting' do these children find themselves on? What weapons and tools do they start out with?
--eas