At first glance the issue of privilege seemed simple. There are those who are and those who are not...right? I live in Canada and I thought surely race has nothing to do with privilege, but I began to see that is most definitely does.
I am white. I have been brought up as invisible, as a member of the ‘norm’ (Kern, 2005). I have been taught to not see race. Really?? NO it’s not possible... I thought as I read that “white privilege is an invisible package of unearned assets which I can count on cashing in each day, but about which I was ‘meant’ to remain oblivious” (McIntosh, 1988).
I am oblivious. In fact as I began this discussion with myself I was insistent that I could not possibly be privileged, not in relation to most other Canadians and that surely my race had nothing to do with any of the privilege I may have.
Do I see race? Do I have privilege? What is privilege anyways, the things I have or what I am able to do, or both? Can it be quantified? Who has the privilege in my daily life and how does it affect me, restrict me or push me forward? These are the questions I'm asking.
No comments:
Post a Comment