This comment was left on the last post about privilege at the library.
Why make it into a male/female thing? Maybe he was just asking to see if your smaller party could move. Or maybe he's just dumb. But don't get all feminist on him....and this is coming from a girl. We've got enough real issues to be mad about the sexist divide without drowning them out with somewhat over the top assumptions...Here is my response...
I actually didn't think it was one kind of privilege more than another kind. It could of have been male privilege, it could have been white privilege, it could have been class privilege, it could have been all of three combined. It could have been none at all. I didn't "go" anything on him, because I didn't say any of that (male/female commentary) to him. And while I only listed the gender commentary at the time, believe me there was also racial commentary going on in my head! (And I'm sure if I would have wrote that down someone would have said "why does it have to be about race? lol)
I only said that they couldn't have the room. And, real talk, he was not entitled to it anymore than we were... and, after being here for nearly three years, I am very aware of the sense of entitlement of many of the students here. It's rude to walk into a private study session and expect people to leave so that *you* can study. I'm not going to pretend that I don't think race or gender plays into these situations. The real/bigger issues of feminism are only smaller issues working on macro levels. That is, the same sense of entitlement that makes you think we should move for you (the smaller issue) is what eventually leads to you behaving as though you have more rights than me (the larger issue.) I believe that changes in personal thought patterns lead to larger social change.
Is it daunting to you that I would think all of this from a seemingly simple interaction? Would you have responded differently? Do you tend to give people the benefit of the doubt in most situations? If so, why do you think you do that?
Rhetorical really, just thinkin...
Thanks for stopping by.
3 comments:
Hi
I'm not commenting on this post -
but i just wanted to say that I read your blog religiously, and was wondering if you could help me with a couple questions. I'm applying to masters in NM programs for next fall, and wanted to know if you have any advice. What was your GPA from your undergrad? (unless that is too personal) Are there any things you did specifically that you think helped your chances of being accepted to all of the programs you applied to?
And lastly, is the financial burden weighing on you a lot? (my parents can't support me, and as an international student, I'm not likely to get bursaries).
Any info would be a GREAT help!!
Thanks soo much,
Keep posting!
Love
Anna
Thank you for visiting my blog. I came over to visit yours and would like to add you to my blog roll. Very perceptive well articulated thoughts here. Good luck to you.
#1 - anonymous posters - I'm torn because I really think that you should have the guts to stand behind anything you say to another person - even if done in the relatively impersonal world of blogging. But for some, they will say what they really think only in that format.
#2 - my take on the library thing - I absolutely would bet money that there was a sense of entitlement on the part of this 'boy'. I don't know what his motive may have been but who asks someone else who is obviously studying to move so they can do the same thing....uh...hello...noooo.
More power to you - I would have been snotty and sarcastic - just cuz i have a big mouth I can't always control.
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