Before reflecting on what I read in the book, Understanding White Privilege Creating Pathways to Authentic Relationships, I must say that I want to read the rest of the book. The section that we read for class was a tease; a great warm-up with the inability to follow through by reading the rest of the book. The author, Frances Kendall, paints a detailed picture of what is meant by the term white privilege and explains how this system came into being. She also explains what is being done to preserve this system of power, and how we can fight against it.
What caught my attention in this reading was the author’s explanation on why white privilege should matter to white people as well as people of color. She states, “Sad to say, we view our efforts in addressing racism as something we do for someone else – not for ourselves” (Kendall 20). This thought hits home for me. I have tried to be a voice against the racism that I have seen in my life. This has included standing up to friends and family that do not see the harm in their words and actions. At times, this has caused me a fair amount of grief, and sad to say, I have lost friends because of it. However, by standing up to others, I believed myself to be fighting the battle for those I am standing up for. This reading helped me to realize, I am not just standing up for others; I am standing up against a system, and I am doing so for myself. The author addresses why this is hard for white people to understand:
The process of looking at what racism and white privilege cost us – those of us who are white and have skin-color privilege – is a difficult one for several reasons. First, many of us don’t feel particularly powerful or as if we have privilege. Second, even if we know we have privilege, we are usually only clear about what we gain from being white, not about what it costs us. Third, understanding how we are both beneficiaries and losers because of this system requires that we face the fact that this system didn’t just magically appear; it was intentionally constructed and put into place, ostensibly for us, by people who look like us. (Kendall 23).
I have never thought about it like this. I knew my skin color came with privilege, but it never occurred to me that this system is harmful to me. This may be difficult to understand, because this system has been in place since long before we were born. It is not like fighting injustice that is newly occurring today. We are fighting injustice that occurred a long time ago; and some of our political leaders have fought for just as long to keep the system in place.
The world has changed since the system came into being, and our economy has grown to be on a global scale. We are no longer competing with one another for jobs, we are competing with the world. The reading states, “Jobs that were once predominantly [held] by working class white people are now being done by poor people, many of whom are women, “off shore,” in countries where the populations are of color” (Kendall 25). The reading goes on to explain how this system has financial benefits for the upper class and upper-middle class, most of whom are white. These financial benefits are one of the reasons why some people have fought to keep the system of discrimination in place.
This leads us to question what is being done about it. Unfortunately, we are not doing enough. As the author states, “It’s as if, if we don’t talk about it, it doesn’t exist” (Kendall 27). For some, it is enough to allow the suffering of others, if it doesn’t affect us personally. This leads to the “it’s not my problem” mentality, which does not benefit anyone. The reading also reminds us that there is hope. The author states, “If we do not work to change ourselves and our systems, we continue to be complicit in the oppression of others whether we mean to or not” (Kendall 23). Well, I for one will not continue to be complicit, I will stand-up for the rights of others. By standing up for the rights of others, we are standing up for the rights of all children and future generations. Racism and discrimination hurt everyone. It is only by lifting each other up that everyone can succeed. Beating others down for the financial gain of a few does not help anyone in the long run. We can only truly succeed as a species by supporting one another.
There was so much more to this reading. In fact, I think I could write a book reflecting on what I read of this book. Instead I will leave you with this thought: if you would like to know more about white privilege, read the book! I plan to.
Kendall, Frances E. Understanding White Privilege, Creating Pathways to Authentic Relationships Across Race; Second Edition. New York: Routledge, 2013. Print.
Last week, in class, I had the privilege of meeting an amazing person. Sarah Teanofov is a woman of many talents; which includes art and gardening. Hearing her speak about her life and inspirations was a rewarding experience. She has had many adventures in her lifetime. She describes her experiences as a journey, and this journey has contributed to her art. Each beautiful piece has a story and a past that really enriches the art and brings it to life.
As I first entered the art show, I had the opportunity to look at each piece of art up close. One of the first things I noticed was the way Sarah involves others in her art. From the fabric woven with quotes that were placed by exhibit visitors, to the paper hearts around her center piece. This shows me that she values the role that other people have had in her life. Even though she did not know us before we visited the exhibit, we were invited and encouraged to participate in her art. I feel that by doing so, I have connected my story to hers in a way that was meaningful to both of us.
The next thing that I noticed was the amazing amount of bead work that goes into her art, especially her boats. It seems to me like making art using this method would take a tremendous amount of time and energy. However, I think that the time and energy goes into the art that she creates in a way that makes it more magical. When she connected the boats to her battle with cancer, it really made the pieces come alive. I imagined the ferry-man coming to shore to take her to the next life, only instead of the typical wooden boat, he arrives in a beautifully beaded boat. This boat was made by Sarah herself, and because of the beautiful boat she has made, the ferry-man does not charge her to go to the other side.
As I explored the remainder of her art, I noticed the crow woman figure. At the time, I attributed this to an Egyptian theme. When Sarah discussed what the crow meant for her it changed my perception of the art. Instead of an Egyptian tour of womanhood, it was Sarah’s story. This made the art take on a much deeper meaning. Hearing her discuss her work allowed me a glimpse into the story behind it, and like the story of the boat, it made the work come alive.
The last piece of art that I really focused on was the beautiful, naked, blue woman at the front of the room. For me, this was the only piece that hearing the story did not make the piece come alive. I found that my imagination took the blue woman to a place that was much different. Hearing the story behind the piece was fascinating, and it allowed the paper hearts at her feet to take on a meaning of their own.
Overall, I found Sarah to be an amazing woman, with a fascinating story. She has been so many places, and had a variety of unique experiences. I think that she is one of those people that I could talk to for hours or days, and still be curious to hear more.
If you have not had the opportunity to experience Sarah's art you are missing out.