The importance of feminism and trying to study anyway.

[jocelyncee]

In the none-too-gradual countdown between now and my impending exams, I've been spending an inordinate amount of time doing... well, not nothing.  Just not as much studying for my exams as perhaps would be prudent.  A good chuck of my goofing off is at the hands of Civ III (I am NOT buying IV until after exams!  I promise!) but some of it has been reading on feminism, especially feminist blogs.


I got into this by being marginally interested in comics of the superhero variety, and being sent to Girls Read Comics by Karen Healey on GirlWonder.org.  This opened up a whole can of worms, and, rather than just getting me more interested in superhero comics, this has opened my mind to many new ways of thinking, of observing, and has, most importantly, kept me reading.


And thinking.  And so very, very much.


Thus far I have learned about privilege, and that as a heterosexual cisgendered middle-class white female, I experience a good bit of privilege.  In fact, the only "strike" I have against me in the system that is our societal heritage is the female part.  So I don't get into discussions/crusades for women of color, the GLBT community or the impoverished -- although I listen.  When a group that is not privileged as I am gets up to talk, my job is to sit, listen, and get to know my privilege enough so that I can consciously avoid exercising it / benefiting from it.


In any case, I'm out of clearly laid-out comments to make right now, and I have Latin to translate.  I will be linking to read-worthy blogs on feminism as I go through this.

Of note today:

Woman of (an)other color + Women's Space / The Margins + The F-Word

Comments

[misterspook.livejournal.com]

I find that class related "guilt" is rarely a productive motivation for reform. Better that an individual be prompted through a sincere desire for social equality than penance for hereditary shame. More to the point, would it not be more beneficial to exercise "privilege" in order to provide benefits to other, less empowered groups? Playing devil's advocate here, but one could describe the situation as poking out your own eye to level the playing field with a one-eyed man. But then again, I don't boast to have a flawless philosophy either.

Good luck on exams!

[jocelyncee.livejournal.com]

I find it interesting that I did not once use the word guilt in this post. By not participating in those minority discussions that don't apply to me, I'm respecting the rights of a minority to be heard. If I, a white woman, speak up about something pertaining to women of color, then I'm just getting in the way.

I'll have plenty to say about women's issues / human rights in general -- just not the race/sexuality/other societal ones.

The term "privilege" might not have the same connotation you're understanding it to have. A better (and more complete) explanation is here:

http://blog.shrub.com/archives/tekanji/2006-03-08_146


"More to the point, would it not be more beneficial to exercise "privilege" in order to provide benefits to other, less empowered groups?"

I can't actively exercise privilege without reinforcing the system that says certain groups are haves while others are have-nots. No matter how altruistic my motivation, or how beneficial they may appear to be in the short term, me playing along will not end the game.

"Playing devil's advocate here, but one could describe the situation as poking out your own eye to level the playing field with a one-eyed man."

One could, but I would be inclined to disagree with one. I'm not handicapping myself by not getting in the way of someone else's human rights. I'm doing what I can to ensure that we all get those rights, and in equal measure, because we're human -- not because of any outside valuation of my (or anyone else's) personhood.

"But then again, I don't boast to have a flawless philosophy either."

Good, 'cause if you did, I'd be castigating you like I just did some poor undeserving wretch who was criticizing a movie review for being ignorant of the will of God. I haven't posted this as a response there yet, but here's the article if you wanna read it. (the comment is about 1/3-1/2 of the way down, judging by the scrollbar. See if you can guess!)

http://pandagon.net/2007/02/11/review-of-children-of-men/

I'm snarky tonight, and really feeling my Wheaties. Thanks for commenting, seriously. I need mental exercise like this. =D

[misterspook.livejournal.com]

Sure.

[(Anonymous)]

I have to say, I'm so glad I've found this blog. What hooked me in is the comment you left in this post regarding guilt. Talking about and processing privilege doesn't have to be a "boohoo for me" experience and I think your writing proves this.
Also, just as a random sidenote - I LOVE this template. Very aesthetically pleasing!
Thanks for linking me as a blog worth reading! I really appreciate it, and it definitely motivates me to keep writing.

-onebrownwoman

[jocelyncee.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the truly perceptive complement. I am sincerely and utterly flattered (and just a bit overwhelmed, or rather, humbled). I've been reading and processing, and have only begun to express the thoughts that have slowly been germinating into what will hopefully be good strong convictions that help me learn how to be the human being I wish to be. Comments like this give me hope that I might actually have something to say that would be worthwhile to listen to. It gives me courage to keep thinking and sharing.

And as to the template, I wish I could take credit. It's just one of the many LJ options that others have created. :)