General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: If you are the member of a privileged group AND call yourself progressive [View all]sigmasix
(794 posts)We should trust anyone claiming an experience of bigotry, rape, sexual harrassment or any other sort of victimization. If a woman claims the use of a particular word or phrase is sexist- take the claim at face value and agrre to do what you can to actualize healing and understanding. If a person claims racist undertones or intentions are being utilized, the first response should not be an attempt to construe the offending action, word or deed as in-offensive jokes or figures of speech.
We should always do our best to listen to victims of abuse and systemized injustice. We should listen to the stories of injustice and unfairness coming from those that are in the "priviledged" groups as well; these notions of the existence of priviledged groups of Americans that aren't wealthy seem to fly in the face of what we know about the behaviour of power. Why would priviledged status be coveyed to a white male of no economic or political status? There are degrees of priviledge, available in a sliding scale that weighs heavily towards money. Being born into a body that has the skin color and family back ground of groups that have historically been the recipients of priviledge does not gaurantee that the priviledge continues. Even white males are subject to rape and violence from women- and thier stories deserve to be heard with the same amount of respect and sense of outrage. Even for so-called sons of priviledge.
It'd be nice if everyone would stop blaming the victim and listening to thier stories and respecting thier feelings about the cultural structures that enable the continued abuse. No matter what the demographic group to which they belong, everyone's story counts.