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capri0mniBack on December 4, 2011, ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
haddayr posted this link to "The Invisible Backpack of Able-Bodied Privilege Checklist" over at the B-tch on Wheels blog:
http://exposingableism.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/the-invisible-backpack-of-able-bodied-privilege-checklist/
And I thought it was a good list... but what its author called "able-bodied privilege" was actually specific to bipedal privilege, and completely skipped over issues of fatigue, pain, and sensory disabilities (like blindness).
So I came up with my own list, here: http://capriuni.dreamwidth.org/608976.html
And now, I'm contemplating putting it up in video format on YouTube, so more people can see it (maybe a series of short videos, so I don't have to make it --and folks don't have to watch it--all at once).
I want to start by talking about the idea of privilege, itself. The thing I've noticed is that some people think that when you point out they have privileges that you're accusing them of being a bad person, because of it, and they get defensive and shut down. So I want to reassure people that that's not what I mean -- after all, white people can't help being white, able-bodied people and cisgendered people can't help being white or cisgendered. So it's not the having privilege that's blame-worthy, it's how you use it that matters.
And I want to use some metaphor other than "invisible backpack (knapsack)," because that metaphor was coined by Peggy McIntosh, and I'm not her.
And then I thought of comparing socially ingrained privilege, which is not talked about much, with the privileges that come with fame, which are talked about a lot (And, thus, a more familiar idea, and less scary). I realize this has its own drawbacks, but... tell me what you think?
TITLE: THE "GOLDEN TICKET' and VELVET ROPE OF MOBILITY PRIVILEGE
Oh, no! Another social justice rant on the Internet. You know, I really should be doing laundry...
Wait! don't run away! Privilege is a good thing.
It is?
Well, it can be -- if you know that you have it, and what it can do. Just look at the privileges we give celebraties. If they like something, they'll get it as a gift. If they have an opinion, we listen -- even if they're as clueless as we are.
And mostly, we don't mind.
We even applaud, if they use their privilege to support their communities and fight for what they believe in.
But things get ugly (and we get mad) when they forget where their privileges come from, try to use it against us "little people".
So -- just think of these as helpful tips on how not to be "An Ugly Rock Star."
haddayr posted this link to "The Invisible Backpack of Able-Bodied Privilege Checklist" over at the B-tch on Wheels blog: http://exposingableism.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/the-invisible-backpack-of-able-bodied-privilege-checklist/
And I thought it was a good list... but what its author called "able-bodied privilege" was actually specific to bipedal privilege, and completely skipped over issues of fatigue, pain, and sensory disabilities (like blindness).
So I came up with my own list, here: http://capriuni.dreamwidth.org/608976.html
And now, I'm contemplating putting it up in video format on YouTube, so more people can see it (maybe a series of short videos, so I don't have to make it --and folks don't have to watch it--all at once).
I want to start by talking about the idea of privilege, itself. The thing I've noticed is that some people think that when you point out they have privileges that you're accusing them of being a bad person, because of it, and they get defensive and shut down. So I want to reassure people that that's not what I mean -- after all, white people can't help being white, able-bodied people and cisgendered people can't help being white or cisgendered. So it's not the having privilege that's blame-worthy, it's how you use it that matters.
And I want to use some metaphor other than "invisible backpack (knapsack)," because that metaphor was coined by Peggy McIntosh, and I'm not her.
And then I thought of comparing socially ingrained privilege, which is not talked about much, with the privileges that come with fame, which are talked about a lot (And, thus, a more familiar idea, and less scary). I realize this has its own drawbacks, but... tell me what you think?
TITLE: THE "GOLDEN TICKET' and VELVET ROPE OF MOBILITY PRIVILEGE
Oh, no! Another social justice rant on the Internet. You know, I really should be doing laundry...
Wait! don't run away! Privilege is a good thing.
It is?
Well, it can be -- if you know that you have it, and what it can do. Just look at the privileges we give celebraties. If they like something, they'll get it as a gift. If they have an opinion, we listen -- even if they're as clueless as we are.
And mostly, we don't mind.
We even applaud, if they use their privilege to support their communities and fight for what they believe in.
But things get ugly (and we get mad) when they forget where their privileges come from, try to use it against us "little people".
So -- just think of these as helpful tips on how not to be "An Ugly Rock Star."
no subject
Date: 2012-01-25 03:22 am (UTC)Def better than invisible knapsack (which is literally a burden, which goes to "white man's burden" which goes to NONONONONONO!)
Identifying diff privileges with diff abilities/impairments is also productive, I think, as long as it doesn't create an oppression olympics (which I know you're not after, but there def could be comparison when a naive person encounters first time.)
I'm confused about who's getting gifts, applause, attention. Will the disprivileged person get things taken away, catcalls, and ignored?
(Kinda crispy, glad you're working this vein of theory, if comments sting then ignore.)
no subject
Date: 2012-01-25 03:46 am (UTC)What I'm going for in regards to applause, gifts, etc., is that these things are the privileges that celebrities get. And we don't mind giving them these privileges -- until the stars forget that they are privileges, and start believing that they are Birthrights, and proof that the star is just a better person than mere mortals (q.v. Charlie Sheen's meltdown, insisting that he has "tiger blood," and so forth.).
The way Bipedal privilege is structured in our society, it's like the golden ticket that allows a walking person access to the bus, and all the places the bus goes. It's also the red velvet rope that keeps the wheelchair user off the bus. But that doesn't mean that the bipedal person is better than the wheelchair user.
Is that a little clearer?
no subject
Date: 2012-01-25 03:48 am (UTC)Can't wait to see what else you've cooked up when I'm next online (Thursday).
no subject
Date: 2012-01-25 04:12 am (UTC)Oh, dear...
Be careful what you wish for...
no subject
Date: 2012-01-25 02:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-25 11:15 pm (UTC)Just in case you haven't found this classic example of humor and politics:
Jay Smooth's How To Tell People They Sound Racist
no subject
Date: 2012-01-26 04:00 pm (UTC)I have mixed feelings about Jay Smooth, however, because his continual omission of captioning, despite his repeated assertions that he wants to be inclusive.