http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/viewCommentary/3618/1
This is Your Nation on White Privilege
September, 14 2008
By Wise, Tim
Tim Wise's ZSpace Page
For those who still can't grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.
White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because "every family has challenges," even as black and Latino families with similar "challenges" are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.
White privilege is when you can call yourself a "fuckin' redneck," like Bristol Palin's boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll "kick their fuckin' ass," and talk about how you like to "shoot shit" for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.
White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action.
White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don't all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you're "untested."
White privilege is being able to say that you support the words "under God" in the pledge of allegiance because "if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it's good enough for me," and not be immediately disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the "under God" part wasn't added until the 1950s--while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only supported by mushy liberals.
White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you. White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto was "Alaska first," and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you're black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she's being disrespectful.
White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think you're being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college--you're somehow being mean, or even sexist.
White privilege is being able to convince white women who don't even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a "second look."
White privilege is being able to fire people who didn't support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt.
White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God's punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you're just a good church-going Christian, but if you're black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you're an extremist who probably hates America.
White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a "trick question," while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O'Reilly means you're dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.
White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism is, as Sarah Palin has referred to it a "light" burden.
And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren't sure about that whole "change" thing. Ya know, it's just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain.
White privilege is, in short, the problem.
Tim Wise is the author of White Like Me (Soft Skull, 2005, revised 2008), and of Speaking Treason Fluently, publishing this month, also by Soft Skull. For review copies or interview requests, please reply to publicity@softskull.com
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Choice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WL_MvRu6SE
If you know me, then you know my stance on this... But what you may or may not know is what the effect the election will have on the issue of choice. Here are some verifiable facts:
1. McCain and Palin are the strongest anti-choice candidates this country has seen since the decision of Roe Vs. Wade.
2. Currently, with issues regarding choice - supreme court justices usually are split 5-4 in favor of upholding the ruling allowing choice, with little restriction... Justices Ginsberg, Souter, Breyer and Stevens - generally support a broader interpretation of Roe vs. Wade while Roberts, Scalia, Thomas and Alito tend to vote with a more restrictive nature. Kennedy is labelled as the 'swing vote'...
3. Justice John Paul Stevens (seemingly more 'pro-choice') is 88 years old. In the coldest of terms - death or retirement can't be that far off for him. Certainly not more than 4 years (one or the other). With this logic, the next president will most likely nominate his replacement. (And possibly others???)
4. McCain would most likely attempt to nominate a justice who shares similar beliefs as his. He is anti-choice. A justice with an anti-choice persepctive would swing the vote in favor of more restrictive interpretations.
So many think that abortion isn't necessary - they feel there are always other choices. Here are their suggestions and the reality, as I have seen it...
1. Use birth control.
Did you know that other than condoms - birth control has to be prescribed or administered by an MD?
Did you know that an average of 18% of women in this country DON'T have health insurance? And when they are classified as 'low-income' that jumps to 36%? Think about how expensive health care and prescriptions are without insurance.
Did you know that any woman with high blood pressure, migraines, a history of a stroke or other blood clots in the body can be denied most hormonally based birth control? What do you tell them? "Get an IUD!!"
Did you know that many conservative family MDs won't give a woman who has NOT had a child an IUD? (Aside from the diaphragm and cervical cap - which are less than 95% effective - the IUD is the ONLY other alternative to condoms, hormonal birth control or sterilization).
2. Abstain.
Forever? Even when you are in a committed marriage/relationship, but aren't yet ready to start a family? What if you don't EVER want children? Are you expected to never have sex?
3. Adoption.
There are many arguements for and against it. I have five VERY close friends that I know are adopted. I am sure that they are all grateful for the lives they have, but none of them have had it easy. Try being the only brown haired, brown eyed child in a family of fair-skinned, blue eyed people. You understand "different" very early on, and that understanding isn't always a good thing.
A woman who can carry a child and make an adoption plan is a strong person, no doubt. However, if she isn't white, her baby is less likely to be adopted. If she has problems with addiction or other crimes, that child she bears is even less likely to have a caring family.
Conceivably, yes, those are choices or plans that can be made. Clearly, none of which are easy or simple. But what about when you don't get to choose or make plans, what would you do?
Estimates state that 1 out of every 4 or 5 women has been a victim of a 'completed rape' (not an attempt or some other kind of sexual assault). If you got pregnant as a result of rape, what would you do?
And if you are a man - you are NOT off the hook. Maternal mortality in 2004 was an estimated 13 for every 100, 000 pregnancies. Small, but not insignificant. If things don't go as planned, and you had to choose your wife/girlfriend/sister/mother or the unborn fetus she carries - what would you do?
What about a fetus that is either going to be born with a birth defect OR an ailment that is deemed, 'incompatible with life'? Again, something that wouldn't be part of one's plan. What would you do?
Many people don't care about this right, because they think it doesn't 'apply' to them. And I will tell you, I have heard the stories and reasons of many women and men faced with this decision - they ALL thought it couldn't happen to them. Clearly, it did and clearly it can.
Earlier this year - I had the honor of being published in a booklet distributed by Massachusetts NARAL called "I Am Pro-Choice Massachusetts: A collection of 35 personal stories in honor of the 35th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade." Please feel free to read my story and the others that accompany it...
My story is on Page 5:
http://www.prochoicemass.org/getinvolved/booklettext.shtml
If you know me, then you know my stance on this... But what you may or may not know is what the effect the election will have on the issue of choice. Here are some verifiable facts:
1. McCain and Palin are the strongest anti-choice candidates this country has seen since the decision of Roe Vs. Wade.
2. Currently, with issues regarding choice - supreme court justices usually are split 5-4 in favor of upholding the ruling allowing choice, with little restriction... Justices Ginsberg, Souter, Breyer and Stevens - generally support a broader interpretation of Roe vs. Wade while Roberts, Scalia, Thomas and Alito tend to vote with a more restrictive nature. Kennedy is labelled as the 'swing vote'...
3. Justice John Paul Stevens (seemingly more 'pro-choice') is 88 years old. In the coldest of terms - death or retirement can't be that far off for him. Certainly not more than 4 years (one or the other). With this logic, the next president will most likely nominate his replacement. (And possibly others???)
4. McCain would most likely attempt to nominate a justice who shares similar beliefs as his. He is anti-choice. A justice with an anti-choice persepctive would swing the vote in favor of more restrictive interpretations.
So many think that abortion isn't necessary - they feel there are always other choices. Here are their suggestions and the reality, as I have seen it...
1. Use birth control.
Did you know that other than condoms - birth control has to be prescribed or administered by an MD?
Did you know that an average of 18% of women in this country DON'T have health insurance? And when they are classified as 'low-income' that jumps to 36%? Think about how expensive health care and prescriptions are without insurance.
Did you know that any woman with high blood pressure, migraines, a history of a stroke or other blood clots in the body can be denied most hormonally based birth control? What do you tell them? "Get an IUD!!"
Did you know that many conservative family MDs won't give a woman who has NOT had a child an IUD? (Aside from the diaphragm and cervical cap - which are less than 95% effective - the IUD is the ONLY other alternative to condoms, hormonal birth control or sterilization).
2. Abstain.
Forever? Even when you are in a committed marriage/relationship, but aren't yet ready to start a family? What if you don't EVER want children? Are you expected to never have sex?
3. Adoption.
There are many arguements for and against it. I have five VERY close friends that I know are adopted. I am sure that they are all grateful for the lives they have, but none of them have had it easy. Try being the only brown haired, brown eyed child in a family of fair-skinned, blue eyed people. You understand "different" very early on, and that understanding isn't always a good thing.
A woman who can carry a child and make an adoption plan is a strong person, no doubt. However, if she isn't white, her baby is less likely to be adopted. If she has problems with addiction or other crimes, that child she bears is even less likely to have a caring family.
Conceivably, yes, those are choices or plans that can be made. Clearly, none of which are easy or simple. But what about when you don't get to choose or make plans, what would you do?
Estimates state that 1 out of every 4 or 5 women has been a victim of a 'completed rape' (not an attempt or some other kind of sexual assault). If you got pregnant as a result of rape, what would you do?
And if you are a man - you are NOT off the hook. Maternal mortality in 2004 was an estimated 13 for every 100, 000 pregnancies. Small, but not insignificant. If things don't go as planned, and you had to choose your wife/girlfriend/sister/mother or the unborn fetus she carries - what would you do?
What about a fetus that is either going to be born with a birth defect OR an ailment that is deemed, 'incompatible with life'? Again, something that wouldn't be part of one's plan. What would you do?
Many people don't care about this right, because they think it doesn't 'apply' to them. And I will tell you, I have heard the stories and reasons of many women and men faced with this decision - they ALL thought it couldn't happen to them. Clearly, it did and clearly it can.
Earlier this year - I had the honor of being published in a booklet distributed by Massachusetts NARAL called "I Am Pro-Choice Massachusetts: A collection of 35 personal stories in honor of the 35th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade." Please feel free to read my story and the others that accompany it...
My story is on Page 5:
http://www.prochoicemass.org/getinvolved/booklettext.shtml
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Matt Damon on Palin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anxkrm9uEJk
I agree 100%.
Addendum: So apparently, a good portion of our country (or really, a good portion of the yammies who sit around and watch YouTube shit all day) think that Matt Damon doesn't have a right to speak voice his opinion. Some of the things I read in a very small % of the more than 7000 comments people have posted... "what qualifies him to say anything?" or "fucking Hollywood liberals, not everyone is a millionaire and gets to act for a living?"
OK - what the hell is wrong with being an actor? ANY performing art is hard to get into, hard to stay in and though they may not work 40 hours a week - 50 weeks a year, they work their asses off 12 - 18 hours a day for months straight (no weekends, few days off and unless you are a superstar, say bye-bye to family time, until you can afford to have them travel with you to your locations). In Matt's case - he literally DID work his ass AND 40 lbs off in less than 1 month. (For his role in Courage Under Fire.) Is this somehow an EASIER or less worthy career, because as far as I can see - not too many people give themselves an adrenal problem to lose 40 lbs in 1 month for THEIR job.
And what qualifies him?? He is human, he has a (well educated) brain and he cares about what happens in November and beyond. Oh, and about his education - he graduated from Cambridge Rindge and Latin AND attended Harvard. As I said to a friend, one semester at Harvard can be like 4 somewhere else... SO, i am pretty sure he is smarter and more educated than the majority of the middle of the country.
Finally, just to point out - the Republican party nominated AND elected to office not one, but TWO actors!!! And, Chuck Norris is ALL OVER Tv voicing his opinion - I bet the right wing-nuts have no problem with that... Mother-effing hypocrites!
I responded to a few quotes and one person wrote back and told me I was a "brainwashed Obama teenie-bopper". Umm, what? I couldn't find the quote again to respond... But man oh man, I had a LOT to say about that little comment.
The next 7+ weeks are certainly going to be interesting. I just hope that people really research the candidates and make decisions based on the issues that matter to them and not the candidate's gender or the color of a their skin.
I guess we will see soon enough...
I agree 100%.
Addendum: So apparently, a good portion of our country (or really, a good portion of the yammies who sit around and watch YouTube shit all day) think that Matt Damon doesn't have a right to speak voice his opinion. Some of the things I read in a very small % of the more than 7000 comments people have posted... "what qualifies him to say anything?" or "fucking Hollywood liberals, not everyone is a millionaire and gets to act for a living?"
OK - what the hell is wrong with being an actor? ANY performing art is hard to get into, hard to stay in and though they may not work 40 hours a week - 50 weeks a year, they work their asses off 12 - 18 hours a day for months straight (no weekends, few days off and unless you are a superstar, say bye-bye to family time, until you can afford to have them travel with you to your locations). In Matt's case - he literally DID work his ass AND 40 lbs off in less than 1 month. (For his role in Courage Under Fire.) Is this somehow an EASIER or less worthy career, because as far as I can see - not too many people give themselves an adrenal problem to lose 40 lbs in 1 month for THEIR job.
And what qualifies him?? He is human, he has a (well educated) brain and he cares about what happens in November and beyond. Oh, and about his education - he graduated from Cambridge Rindge and Latin AND attended Harvard. As I said to a friend, one semester at Harvard can be like 4 somewhere else... SO, i am pretty sure he is smarter and more educated than the majority of the middle of the country.
Finally, just to point out - the Republican party nominated AND elected to office not one, but TWO actors!!! And, Chuck Norris is ALL OVER Tv voicing his opinion - I bet the right wing-nuts have no problem with that... Mother-effing hypocrites!
I responded to a few quotes and one person wrote back and told me I was a "brainwashed Obama teenie-bopper". Umm, what? I couldn't find the quote again to respond... But man oh man, I had a LOT to say about that little comment.
The next 7+ weeks are certainly going to be interesting. I just hope that people really research the candidates and make decisions based on the issues that matter to them and not the candidate's gender or the color of a their skin.
I guess we will see soon enough...
#456
(Click on pic above to open in a different window and make it bigger)...
So - how's that for a trip down memory lane??
Here are some that stand out for me...
170 (Sox @ Cincy 06/08)
286 (Victory Parade ’07)
317 (I was at that game!!!)
353/354 (Having a Press Pass for this in Jan 2006, was pretty damn cool)
336-339 (At Fenway for these, too!!),
351 (See an old post of mine about Pink Hats...)
411 (At Fenway AGAIN!!)
424 (Diane, you’ll never not carry again!!!!/Also funny from the BitH days, right Bin?)
These are obvious:
104, 228, 250, 288, 378, 423, 428
And as for #273 – it should be 1,485, not 1,487. No Bronson for Wily Mo. No Wily Mo for??? Hmm. Who did we get for him? LOL.
#10 - made me think of my Pepe. He was a diehard Sox, Celts, Bruins AND Pats fan. He missed out on seeing the Sox and Pats win big while he was alive - but I am POSITIVE he is keeping track in the afterlife.
Hugs and love to you all :)
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