Someone gave me a copy of White Privilege by Peggy McIntosh and it really got me
thinking. It’s about the unspoken
privileges that white people take for granted.
Now, it is a bit outdated and the demographic is different, but it made me think alot. Perhaps not the intent of the paper, but this is where it lead me. I shall call it …
hmmm. Authority Privilege?
Yes. I have heard
many times that it is a white, male dominated world. The signs around me tell me that it’s
probably true, but definitely changing.
Traditionally, when you hear “doctor” you think white male. When you hear “nurse”, you think white
female. However, being a female, I can’t say I’ve felt oppressed by males and
my pasty, British skin is a far cry from “black”. For this reason, I can’t say that I can
understand a coloured person’s experience on any level. Perhaps this is ignorant or how I’ve been
conditioned to think as a privileged, white person. I have very few people of colour in my
immediate life and it’s not something I really think about … but that does not
mean on any level that the problem does not exist. For
me, it’s not an issue. That’s my point
and I think the point of this paper. If
it’s not an issue for me, then I am guilty of being ignorant to a very
prevalent problem. The concern for me is
that one man’s situation is not the same as another’s. I have seen this many times with the people
around me. What is burdened on someone’s
heart is not necessarily burdened on another’s.
There are so many legitimate “causes” to be an advocate for that one has
to pick what leans on their heart and do their best to be supportive in another
man’s cause.
I understand all too well what she is saying in this paper,
but I must say right off that it is no more my friend’s fault for being born
without a disability than it is my fault for being born white. One does not naturally understand something
that has not been their own experience.
For this reason, it is so important to educate each other because I can
guarantee that every person who has read this article has experienced
suppression on some level … intended or not. This article taught me about a coloured
person’s experience and for that I am grateful and hope to be more sensitive in
the future.
Let’s be honest here.
When we meet someone for the first time, our brains are in overload. There is a lot of subconscious judgement that
takes place. I believe dominance is
established within 5 minutes of meeting someone. I once met a lady who was so threatened by
me. She was studying to be a social
worker and because I already had a degree and was working on my masters, she
pushed and pushed me into a corner until I admitted to her that her degree
would get her farther. Dominance. I guess she needed to feel that between
us. I thought it was silly. I understand now how it feels to be in
minority and to feel these unspoken social hierarchies. I don’t for one minute think that anyone
looks at someone in a wheel chair and says or even believes that they are
better. No. That would be socially unacceptable. But it’s there. I did
an experiment a few months ago and asked people to be real about the following
question, “what do you think when you see someone with a disability or someone
who looks different?” I so appreciated
the honesty. The answers varied from, “I
feel more comfortable about my own flaws” to “I’m just glad it’s not me”. I don’t feel “judged” by people for having a
disability and I certainly don't judge others with a disabilty, but I do feel the hierarchy.
When I sit down to talk with someone stronger than me, more educated
than me, prettier than me or more outgoing than me, I automatically take the
lower position on the totem pole. And
you know what makes it worse? Someone
who officiously tries to help. Yes, it’s
kind and often necessary, but it no less makes the gap of dominance
bigger. You are undoubtedly the
winner. I can’t top that. Sure, I can try by impressing you with my
strength of character, but in my mind, you win.
This thinking is probably wrong, but digress with me. You have a doctor and a patient. A doctor is a servant to the people around them,
but it is definitely a dominant role.
Even nurses respect the authority of the doctor. This is just the hierarchy of life. I see it within the medical field all the
time … from the specialists down to the receptionists. When someone is helping me dress or meeting a
need, I can assume that I will be treated with respect, but the person of
authority and the person of vulnerability have been assigned very clear roles.
My experience lies in the area of physical disability. Someone else’s experience might have more severity or lie in a completely different
area. Like someone of colour living in a
white man’s world, there are conditions that someone with a disability or
illness cannot count on living in an able bodied world. Again, I point out that I do not blame any
able bodied person, but these are things that I have seen my friends, family,
acquaintances and strangers take for granted.
Of course, none of these things are a reason for anyone in a minority to
have an unfulfilled life.
Being able to get out of a booth or chair at a restaurant
Having a washroom available that they can use
Purchasing items on the bottom
shelf at a grocery store
Wearing shoes properly
Not being starred at … unless their skirt is tucked into
their underwear.
Generally assuming that a compliment is merited and not
awarded because the standard is lower.
Falling calls for a normal response instead of looks that
suggest a poem be written about the tragedy that is their life.
Being able to try clothes on in a change room
The positive feelings of self worth that come from physically helping others.
Choosing a career
based on desire, education and skills.
Choosing recreation based on desire and means.
What I need to express is that we should all be servants to
each other. Coloured, white, male,
female, able-bodied, or not. People in places of authority,
may it be as a helping friend or a position in society; we all need to be aware
of how the other person feels. This
role can change. In some situations, I
feel like the person who is dominant and I too have to be aware of what
“rights” that brings to the relationship.
We all have something to bring to the table. Each of us with our own unique experiences. My message is not so much to the “white” person. My message is for anyone who has a position
of authority whether or not they believe that they are in that position .. earned
or unearned. Parents, doctors, therapists, social
workers, teachers, police, bosses, people with wealth, good friends or members
of society. When someone needs you on
any level, they are allowing you into a place of vulnerability and there is an
unspoken hierarchy. What I believe to be
a place of privilege. I don’t think
it’s a bad thing. I think it’s something
that should be protected.
Thank you to the people who have helped me and my family and who have always treated us with respect.
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