Today we discussed the term "privilege:" what it means and whether or not we are privileged. Post your comments here and then respond to a classmate's post. We will watch a film later this week called: "Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible." Visit: http://world-trust.org/mirrors-of-privilege-making-whiteness-visible
"This film features the experiences of white men and women who have worked to gain insight into what it means to challenge notions of racism and white supremacy. Participants talk about their learned and internalized sense of privilege. Their stories reveal what is often required to move through the stages of denial, defensiveness, guilt, fear, and shame into making a solid commitment to ending racial injustice. This film catalyzes powerful dialogue to support the learning, change and healing of all people who want to undo race-based oppression. Featuring: Tim Wise, Joe Fahey, Peggy V. MacIntosh, Marguerite Parks, Gary Howard and many more" (World-Trust).
Students will be asked to revisit their comments on "privilege" in view of more information and testimony. We will post our comments here on the film as well. Each student will be asked to both summarize the key ideas, identify a few salient arguments and either agree or disagree with them using examples from the film and from personal experience or knowledge.
This cyber-essay is to be minimally 250 words (1 typed page). This assignment is due Wednesday, August 25, 2010. We'll probably watch the film Tuesday and hopefully finish it. It is 50 minutes. It will take the entire class period to see it (smile).
We will read the introduction to the Takaki book Thursday and talk about it. Homework will be to read Part 1 (pp. 23-71). Keep chapter notes with a vocabulary log. For each chapter develop 6-10 questions that are open ended and we will share these questions in literature circles next week.
Next week we will practice paraphrasing and summarizing sections from A Different Mirror and from The Tempest. I will have copies of the play for students next week.
Part 2: Contradictions is a hefty section: 8 chapters, pp. 75-203. We will spend a little time here, probably into mid-Sept. 16. I will give you a reading assignment sheet. Each section will have its own cyber-assignments generated by discussions and student questions. We will review essay structure: paragraph, thesis sentence, introductions and conclusions, MLA, citations, signal phrases, block quotes.
We will plan to start The Known World late September-to be completed by the latter part of October. As stated this morning, we will practice the three argument forms using this book as the source for themes and topics: Classical, Toulmin and Rogerian. Students will present their essays and post them on the blog.
After The Known World students will be reading books they selected and preparing to write papers. Again, the author or subject of the book can also be the same person students profile in the Social Entrepreneur essay. If I have been too ambitious here, we can adjust assignments. I am just brainstorming here (smile). I believe the way one becomes a great writer is by reading great literature and by writing (smile).
However, I don't want this class to be the death of any of you (smile).
"This film features the experiences of white men and women who have worked to gain insight into what it means to challenge notions of racism and white supremacy. Participants talk about their learned and internalized sense of privilege. Their stories reveal what is often required to move through the stages of denial, defensiveness, guilt, fear, and shame into making a solid commitment to ending racial injustice. This film catalyzes powerful dialogue to support the learning, change and healing of all people who want to undo race-based oppression. Featuring: Tim Wise, Joe Fahey, Peggy V. MacIntosh, Marguerite Parks, Gary Howard and many more" (World-Trust).
Students will be asked to revisit their comments on "privilege" in view of more information and testimony. We will post our comments here on the film as well. Each student will be asked to both summarize the key ideas, identify a few salient arguments and either agree or disagree with them using examples from the film and from personal experience or knowledge.
This cyber-essay is to be minimally 250 words (1 typed page). This assignment is due Wednesday, August 25, 2010. We'll probably watch the film Tuesday and hopefully finish it. It is 50 minutes. It will take the entire class period to see it (smile).
We will read the introduction to the Takaki book Thursday and talk about it. Homework will be to read Part 1 (pp. 23-71). Keep chapter notes with a vocabulary log. For each chapter develop 6-10 questions that are open ended and we will share these questions in literature circles next week.
Next week we will practice paraphrasing and summarizing sections from A Different Mirror and from The Tempest. I will have copies of the play for students next week.
Part 2: Contradictions is a hefty section: 8 chapters, pp. 75-203. We will spend a little time here, probably into mid-Sept. 16. I will give you a reading assignment sheet. Each section will have its own cyber-assignments generated by discussions and student questions. We will review essay structure: paragraph, thesis sentence, introductions and conclusions, MLA, citations, signal phrases, block quotes.
We will plan to start The Known World late September-to be completed by the latter part of October. As stated this morning, we will practice the three argument forms using this book as the source for themes and topics: Classical, Toulmin and Rogerian. Students will present their essays and post them on the blog.
After The Known World students will be reading books they selected and preparing to write papers. Again, the author or subject of the book can also be the same person students profile in the Social Entrepreneur essay. If I have been too ambitious here, we can adjust assignments. I am just brainstorming here (smile). I believe the way one becomes a great writer is by reading great literature and by writing (smile).
However, I don't want this class to be the death of any of you (smile).
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 3:06 PM
18 Comments:
"what is Privilege?"
Privilege is the concession from one individual, structure or entity to another to avail of themselves specified actions wit the implication that no undesirable consequences will follow.
"Do you possess it?"
By living in awe, at least in part, I am predisposed (by conditioning) to accept legal, social and accepted moral allowance as privilege.
"How do you know it?"
By definition, empirical observation, logical reflection and extrapolation.
"What does privilege allow you to do?"
The Panoply of allowances issued by the purveyor of privilege such that we, the assumed 'Privileged', are given to enjoy, scorn, ignore and otherwise interact with fundamentally without consequence provided we perform within the provided parameters.
-MK
What is privilege?
Do you possess it?
How do you know it?
What does privilege allow you to do?
When you think about it we commonly mistake what a privilige is from your rights, privilige is something that comes to you unexpected either your born with it or in someway you earn it.
To some extent I would say I am priviliged compared to other people living in the U.S or in other countries.
I have an education and I can go where I want without the military oppressing me.
Privilige allows you to achieve but also to get away with things for example "white privilige",and if your wealthy and famous it exempts you from some consequences.
-Denise Martinez
"Privilege"
Privilege is a benefit, advantage or favor, things that some people might not like, but others do. It is like things that you are allowed to do, sometimes it all depends on the people around you and where you live. Different people have different privileges about certain things. Some parents might allow their child to do something that other parents will not with their child. I can say I have privilege, with limitations. I can pretty much do things I want to do with my parents' permissions but then again, I have to obey their rules and think about limitations of a certain action.
-Frena Zamudio
"What is privilege?"
"Do you possess it?"
"How do you know it?"
"What does privilege allow you to do?"
Privilege is the access to or possession of something that others may not have. I believe the stigma of privilege is rooted in inheritance but like most things there are exceptions. Privileges often disregard fairness and ethics when they are given out. Until earlier today i would have defined a privilege as something that could be earned but i'm am not sure about that anymore. I do believe that i am privileged. I know this because in comparison to others, I possess experiences, knowledge ,or objects that they do not. However if this is all we base the value of a privilege on then I am far from the most privileged.
-Patrick Brown
The way I see it, is that a privilege is anything that is not a staple to human sustainability (eg food, water, and shelter). Anything other than that can sort of be a privilege to somebody or another. Books and education are a privilege, owning tennis shoes or a car, and even drugs and alcohol are a privilege. I think everybody possesses one privilege or another, so naturally I possess many. I know this because I am writing this on a computer right now for a class in a school. Many people do not have access to any of those things. That privilege allows me to learn.
-Olivia Sakhuja
I see privilege as a bonus given to you for no apparent reason that you just have that others may not.
Everybody has privilege. They just don't realize it. It's a privilege to have food, education, a place with shelter, to having free two day shipping on amazon, or a semester long translink pass for only $30.
I know it because I possess things people wish to have, but does not and people possess things that I wish to have that I don't.
In my case as a teenager, privilege allows me to stay up at night, have a late curfew only because of the way my parents are. I didn't earn it, it was just a given. I appreciate all my privileges.
-Eric Chen
What is privilege?
Privilege is an inherited benefit that one is fortunate to possess.
There was some discussion in class as to whether or not privileges are earned. Growing up parents would always pull the "it's not a given, it's a privilege." By this they meant that I get to borrow their car, but only because I have earned it by being a trustworthy driver. It is still a privilege, even though it has been earned.
I know that I am privileged because I have things in my life that others aren't lucky enough to possess, such as a cozy apartment in a safe neighborhood and a new Macbook. While I have these things in part because I work hard to be able to afford them, my inherited financial situation also made them more obtainable than they would have been for the less privileged.
- Cosette Schanilec
What is privilage?
Privilage is the oppritunity to make the most of a situation with a given advantage over others. It has nothing to do with race, ethninity, religion or political agenda. It is simply an oppritunity to achieve or succeed.
I do beleive I possess it. I believe everyone born or raised in this country has it. Whether or not we choose to embrace it is the real question.
- Jake Stabler
Rocio Gallardo
English 1A
August 23, 2010
Free Write: Privilege
I believe privilege is not a right but more of a something that you are allowed to do. For example if someone, a teen, were to do all their chores, a privilege would be that they are allowed to go to the mall or the movies, or maybe they are allowed to spend the night at a friend’s house.
I think no one can possess a privilege because its more of something that can or must be earned.
You know it’s a privilege when something is given to you as a choice.
Privileges allow you to do many things is one is optimistic and has an open mind about things.
Privilege is that which is given by others to you based on responsibilities you maintained and promises you kept, or something like that. It's power given to you that can be stripped, so to continue preserving it you have to keep doing what ever you were doing before you got the privileges. To me it's power given to you from others, and it's something that is earned. I dunno if I posses any. When I was younger I was allowed to go out with my friends while my sisters at the same age were not. I guess that is what you would call sexism, how women are treated differently from men. Maybe it was the fact I couldn't get pregnant, or possibly that I was the one doing well in school and not getting in trouble. I like thinking it was the latter. Also I think having privileges is like having a responsibility; you had to do something to earn it. Like in my church for you to have privileges such as helping out with the sound, giving a sermon or introducing the next speaker, you needed to be spiritually responsible and a male. I guess those were requirements. In class a lot of people were comparing privileges to rights, and how they were the same. I like to think they're not. Before there were rights, colored people had to fight to be treated as equals, women had to fight to vote, and so on. I think that was the phase of earning privileges, and once those became common the became rights. Like leveling the playing field or something.
Rochelle Predovic
English 1A
8/24/10
"privilege"
What is privilege?
Do you posses it?
How do you know and what does your privilege allow you to do?
Privilege is an allowance to preform a task. For example people who take and pass a driving test are allowed or privileged to drive and are given a license to prove it. However, I don't possess that privilege to drive, because I haven't taken a driver's test yet.
Free Write: Privilege
Privilege is when you're given the access, ability, or right to something, usually granted by someone. For me, I possess some privileges but not all. There are limitations as to what I have access to and what I don't - the answer to this would really depend when specified. I know that I have privileges when someone gives them to me. However, some I may not have yet due to my perspective, I can easily give myself that capability. For me, privilege allows me to be fortunate for what I have when others don't and as a person, it helps me make better actions.
Ji Won Park
Lucia Fallah
Professor Sabir
English 1A
8/25/2010
MTWTH 11am-1150am
Privilege is having the power and opportunity that most people do not have. Most white feel that African Americans give general assumption, sometime the act of racism does not occur when the unconscious mind is functioning.
Today in the United States racism is put on front line of every conversation. African Americans are defensive toward indirect racial comments. “ A black man who spoke very beautifully at a conference, after his speech I walked up and asked him what can I do to help, he looked at me and said, educate your people. I felt hurt, rejected I could not understand why”
The most difficult part of racism is how white benefit, “looking at who making it and who’s not”. The system has been created to make a certain group of people inferior. To justify the system action white leaders have a logical explanation and conclusion as to why, a certain group have more opportunity and the others do not.
From the video white people have a responsibility to at least reduce the act of racism. Racism in the United States has a course, people are anxious to learn how racism can be abolish. In other country racism appear in a different way, has a different approach and dimension. Do I believe that racism can be stop in my generation, I doubt it. We first have to accept people for who they are and be open minded. We much have the willingness to understand every individual with a unique mind set.
Merty Brown
Professor Sabir
English 1A
8/25/2010
MTWTH 11am-1150am
A special right or power, immunity, or exemption granted to persons in authority or office to free them from certain obligations or liabilities. Most white are blame because of the general hypothesis they encounter from African Americans and other race. Racism is the division among millions of Americans today. I have a black cousin who graduated from an all white high school in Hawaii. Base on her skin color she find learning difficult. She was put down on, laugh at provoke and ignored, from teacher to classmates.
How does white benefit in the American system? Some white benefit by making other race inferior. Getting jobs first, better education, health care. Racism between African Americans is not recognized or acknowledge by white people.
White resistant is being afraid of getting involved to diminish that act of racism. Some white do not feel or accept any responsibility to act against racism. I believe that almost every action or law that is passed in the United States is base upon racism. Families are ripe apart, children are abandoned, etc.
Racism will always be part of American society, because of multi cultures. The system is set up to favor the white upper class and watch the lower class suffered. Majority of the lower class are people of color. I believe gradually racism will reduce, but not totally vanish in the live of Americans. This movie has increase and motivate me on learning more about racism and how to end it.
Esbeyde Cardenas
Professor Sabir
English 1A
8-24-2010
"Privilige"
What is privilige?
Privilige to me is to have certain rights or things that other people can't or don't have. For Ex. The U.s. gives it's citizens certain rights that other countries don't let their citizens have such as, voting, freedom of speech and so forth and on. Privilige is also when people can afford certain things other people can only dream of.
Do you posses it?
I believe that I'm privilege to a certain extend. I have the right to vote, own my own business and have freedom of speech unlike other people in other countries. But yet other people are billionaires and don't have to stress about money like a lot of people in this country and I do. So therefore in that aspect of wealth I'm not privilege.
How do you know?
I know because that's how I feel. I don't have an affirmitave that what I just said is a fact but that's how I feel, so therefore that's how I know. Privilige can mean several things to different people and that's what it means to me.
What does privilige allow you to do?
Having a certain privilige allows you to do certain things other people can.
Privilege is like advantage that other people don't have. You might have a good chance of getting something more than other does, or you might have some special abilities that others don't have. It's something you were born with or you obtained by others. I am personally don't have that many privilege like other does. A good example is the language. Having English as a second language is like living without talking. Ofcourse in a bad side turns out to be some good sides, I have more time to spend on improving my English skills, so here I am.
Privilege is like advantage that other people don't have. You might have a good chance of getting something more than other does, or you might have some special abilities that others don't have. It's something you were born with or you obtained by others. I am personally don't have that many privilege like other does. A good example is the language. Having English as a second language is like living without talking. Ofcourse in a bad side turns out to be some good sides, I have more time to spend on improving my English skills, so here I am.
Rochelle Predovic
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
September 2, 2010
Response to Jacke Stabler's post
Don't forget that whether people possess privilege or not is based on law. If people raized in this country break the law as in murdering/killing others, then these criminals are not privileged to have freedom. However if people intend to follow the law then they are privileged.
Works Cited
Stabler, Jake. "What Is Privilage?" Weblog comment. Professor Wanda's Posse. 23 Aug. 2010. Web. 2 Sept. 2010.
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