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For sure- I hear that it's difficult to write what I wrote without sounding like a snobby d-bag- I just hate that phrase, the language & syntax of it (usually

by hoopla2013 13y ago

For sure- I hear that it's difficult to write what I wrote without sounding like a snobby d-bag- I just hate that phrase, the language & syntax of it (usually because it is abused so often by well-intentioned grad students) To be clear, I don't dispute the idea for one second that there are some ppl in US that no matter what they do or how hard they try it will be exceedingly difficult for them to get ahead. I also have no disagreement that aloof & sheltered (but perhaps well-meaning) say that all marginalized/overlooked people need to do is pull themselves up by their bootstraps. I'm not sure even where you & I agree "disagree" that much, but I figure that since there are a ton of options online that are super-easy for even zero-tech savvy people to find & use to express themselves & conceal their identity this isn't that big of a crisis

deleted 13y ago
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einhverfr 13y ago
But part of the problem with "privilege" is that it attaches this to largely non-mutable characteristics of an individual and stops the discussion over what is happening regarding families and communities. For example, I am opposed to affirmative action but wouldn't want to see it go without a larger reform taking its place. I am opposed because I think that affirmative action is a bad solution to the wrong problem, that in seeking to help some blacks (particularly since they were the primary victims of segregation) escape the black inner city community, we are in essence helping token individuals and perpetuating the fundamental injustices of segregation. I think this leads not only to capital but also talent flight from such communities, and deepens rather than resolves the economic disparity. It would be different if we encouraged such people to go back into the inner city and start businesses, but instead we saddle them with big loans, and force them to go work for others. If you see segregation as a wealth pump sucking black communities dry, there isn't so much a problem of white privilege so much as there is one of systematic black disempowerment, of which things like affirmative action and social welfare programs are actually key components today (insofar as they heavily discourage people going out and getting involved in economic production on their own terms).

deleted 13y ago

[deleted]

einhverfr 13y ago

But part of the problem with "privilege" is that it attaches this to largely non-mutable characteristics of an individual and stops the discussion over what is happening regarding families and communities. For example, I am opposed to affirmative action but wouldn't want to see it go without a larger reform taking its place. I am opposed because I think that affirmative action is a bad solution to the wrong problem, that in seeking to help some blacks (particularly since they were the primary victims of segregation) escape the black inner city community, we are in essence helping token individuals and perpetuating the fundamental injustices of segregation. I think this leads not only to capital but also talent flight from such communities, and deepens rather than resolves the economic disparity. It would be different if we encouraged such people to go back into the inner city and start businesses, but instead we saddle them with big loans, and force them to go work for others. If you see segregation as a wealth pump sucking black communities dry, there isn't so much a problem of white privilege so much as there is one of systematic black disempowerment, of which things like affirmative action and social welfare programs are actually key components today (insofar as they heavily discourage people going out and getting involved in economic production on their own terms).