Dayana Lara
Last week’s class presentations allowed everyone to briefly introduce themselves and share a personal experience with everyone. I enjoyed each presentation and also learned many new things about each classmate. It was interesting to know that we all in some way shared advantages and disadvantages that not only makes us a bit uncomfortable but shaped who we are today. I was able to relate to many students whose stories were similar to mine. I was surprised to learn that many students faced cultural oppression in similar ways as I did. After learning so much from everyone this class has become more fascinating and exciting simply because now I’m able to give more meaning and better interpretation to everyone’s thoughts and ideas. This was a great way to know a little more from everyone and understand the struggles that many of us face as we are realizing our educational goals. I’m glad that everyone has passion for education this will hopefully help everyone feel more motivated, it sure helped me.
I think the reading ties in perfectly with what we previously read and presented. I was honestly shocked to know that people actually feel guilty for participating in the dominate side of this social order. The article on A Mother’s White Privilege reveals that, “your own group enjoys social and economic benefits of systemic racism is frightening and uncomfortable…” It takes a lot of consciousness to accept that you or your social group happily accept such remark. I enjoyed reading her comprehension on all the benefits her and her children have simply because they are white. I’m pleased to know that she believes in teaching her children how to interact with others that come from different ethnical backgrounds instead of ignoring.
The other view presented by the reading on Explaining White Privilege to a Broke White Person was likewise interesting because the author although now knows she is privilege, growing up was different. She brings in the concept of “intersectionality” which states that, “The concept of intersectionality recognizes that people can be privileged in some ways and definitely not privileged in others. There are many different types of privilege, not just skin-color privilege, that impact the way people can move through the world or are discriminated against. These are all things you are born into, not things you earned, that afford you opportunities that others may not have.” Although she now appreciates that she has less things to worry about she allows the reader to understand that many of us in some way possess advantages that are far more valuable than the actual advantages of being white.
The introduction of these readings again reminds us how important it is to remain educated so we can help with the movement of discrimination on all aspects not just cultural. Creating awareness will help many people unite and fight together for a great cause. Like the reading says some advantages that one person many have, may be opportunities that others may not have. This is something that one can spread by simply teaching little ones of the diversity that surrounds us and giving great examples that can go far beyond.
