"So Where Do We Go from Here?"

I would like to continue our conversation about intersectionality because despite several discussions concerning sexism, racism, micro aggressions, and privilege, we are left with more confusion than clarity in regards to the question “So where do we go from here?” The following post references class readings from McIntosh, Buchanan, Alcoff, and Jaggar, as well as Chapter 18 from the Fundamentals of Ethics by Shafer-Landau.

In “White Privilege and Male Privilege”, Peggy McIntosh compares the position of power that men have over women in society to the ways in which the pure existence of white privilege damages those that are not privileged. McIntosh notes that while men are willing to accept that women may be disadvantaged in society, they are quite unwilling to acknowledge that they are privileged, and even more unwilling to acknowledge that their privilege is the cause of women’s disadvantage. She uses this observation to draw a parallel to white privilege and the ways in which one can be advantaged in a society purely due to their skin color. Privilege is very obvious to those that don’t have it, but nearly invisible to those who do. I believe that this concept is very important to understand as a community when we delve into discussions about micro aggressions and the ways in which fellow students on our campus feel disadvantaged.

 When Dr. Sue gently confronted the majority group with the reality that their privilege alone greatly damages the minority groups in many ways, it immediately triggered a defensive response by many students who felt they were being targeted for reasons out of their control, such as social class, ethnicity, etc. I was personally very ignorant regarding the concept of “white privilege”. This ignorance can be very morally damaging for those that are privileged because they are “conditioned into oblivion” (McIntosh). Buchanan writes that “we can know so little on our own”. Without being taught, it is incredibly difficult to recognize that the reality one experiences is not universal and is only shared with those who are in mirror situations, which is why conversations such as the ones that took place on the Day of Inclusion are so necessary, and so difficult. Because we are not born with the knowledge of others’ experiences and an understanding of the ways that members of different groups intersect, it is necessary to first recognize the “systems and sustainers of false beliefs” (Buchanan) before considering necessary actions to take.

But after acknowledging an individual’s place in society and the ways in which their position affects others, how should that individual act? How do I make others feel that I regard them as equals? That I do not consciously categorize them by their skin color, their sexual orientation, or their mental health?

On page 287 in The Fundamentals of Ethics, Shafer-Landau writes about how feminists argue for equal consideration. That “the interests of women are to be given the same importance as those of men.” It seems that this approach requires an effort to not only consider others as legal or social equals, but to also recognize their feelings of discomfort, alienation, fear, hardship, etc., as valid and real. Political activist and writer Andrew Solomon addressed the audience at a TED Talk about the importance of parents having unconditional acceptance for their children and the ways in which this unconditional acceptance benefits society by supporting and encouraging children who can share their unique experiences with those who are “privileged” and haven’t experienced this specific reality.  

If as a community we were able to adopt this way of thinking where we at least attempt to give everyone “equal consideration” and our “unconditional acceptance”, then I believe that even that effort will be seen as a big step by those who currently feel disadvantaged due to their identifying beliefs, anatomical traits, and family demographic, because it is my attempt to acknowledge the alternate realities of those who are directly impacted by my words, actions, and demeanor on a daily basis.