Name the ways that people get themselves "off the hook" of being involved in privilege and oppression.
Deny and minimize
Blame it on the victim
Call it something else
Better this way
Doesn't count if you don't mean it
One of the good ones
Sick and tired
DBCBDOS - don't blame charlie brown, didn't open stuff
Deny and minimize
Deny problem exists > can also exist in believing non-privileged groups are better off
Admitting problem but minimize effects > jokes> "stop whining"
What does deny and minimize achieve?
If there's no oppression, there's no privilege > no problem
Blame it on the victim
Non-privileged groups are lazy > deserve to be where they are
Women are "asking for it"
Call it something else
Instead of sexism > "battle of the sexes", "differences in communication style"
Why does sexism in particular get treated by being called something else?
Because it's so prevalent + male/female relationships such an integral system > need to make light of in order to not see it
It's better this way this way.
Result of denial + renaming privilege and oppression.
i.e. blacks prefer to live with blacks (but they actually prefer integrated neighborhoods)
i.e. it's not a patriarchal system > women naturally want to be dominated by strong males
Doesn't count if you don't mean it.
It's not racism if I didn't think racially > the result is that the act is not racist.
Does not address harm to individual.
Consequences matter!
What is the problem with an individual not thinking that their act is racist, despite the consequences of their actions?
don't see themselves as racist, they're not part of the problem or the solution
One of the good ones.
Individualistic thinking > bad things happen socially b/c of bad people > I'm not one of the bad ones = not part of the problem > silence > fuels oppression
Sick and tired. 3 points
Everyone has problems > privileged groups feel put upon when faced with issues of oppression
Reminder of uncomfortableness
Allows privileged groups to feel like victims
What is the reality when it comes to issues of oppression and privilege and public awareness?
Very little mention of white privilege.
How can people really "get off the hook"?
By getting on the hook
What does getting on the hook entail?
Commitment - to finding solutions
Obliged - connects one to others, increases awareness of effects of one's actions on others