Comments on: The Privilege Walk http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2006/04/04/the-privilege-walk/ (bôr'dər-lănd') n. Located on or near a frontier. An indeterminate area or condition. Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:24:44 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Doug Noon http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2006/04/04/the-privilege-walk/comment-page-1/#comment-113123 Doug Noon Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:07:07 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2006/04/04/the-privilege-walk/#comment-113123 Learning, by definition, is not meaningless. Constructing meaning is the primary function of human consciousness. And it, alone, solves nothing. However, if new knowledge leads a person to be more considerate in the choices he makes, immeasurable benefit to the world accrues. This is an old teaching which is apparently difficult for some people to understand. I'll have more to say about this in due course. Learning, by definition, is not meaningless. Constructing meaning is the primary function of human consciousness. And it, alone, solves nothing. However, if new knowledge leads a person to be more considerate in the choices he makes, immeasurable benefit to the world accrues. This is an old teaching which is apparently difficult for some people to understand. I’ll have more to say about this in due course.

]]> By: Toby http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2006/04/04/the-privilege-walk/comment-page-1/#comment-113082 Toby Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:42:18 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2006/04/04/the-privilege-walk/#comment-113082 This idea of white privilege is one of the most vile and evil forms of racism which has come down the historical highway. The language of 20th century genocides and general class hatred ring loud and clear through the vague and empty words of Peggy Mc Intosh and fellow travelers like Tim Wise. Just look at Mc Intosh's list most of them are based on feelings not facts plus they would fit nicely into the social fabric of any other of the world's nations. Such activities as the privilge walk are meaningless, solve nothing, opens the door for animosity, guilt, handwringing expressions of false guilt and a denial that (real) differences exist. And, by the way, for those who have made a religious mantra about white privilege which ones of peggy's privileges can you give up? I noted the words Justice then Peace. Telling one particular ethnic group that they are racists because they have privileges over which they have no control is not Justice and I can assure you that Peace will not be the end result of this blatant racism. This idea of white privilege is one of the most vile and evil forms of racism which has come down the historical highway. The language of 20th century genocides and general class hatred ring loud and clear through the vague and empty words of Peggy Mc Intosh and fellow travelers like Tim Wise.
Just look at Mc Intosh’s list most of them are based on feelings not facts plus they would fit nicely into the social fabric of any other of the world’s nations. Such activities as the privilge walk are meaningless, solve nothing, opens the door for animosity, guilt, handwringing expressions of false guilt and a denial that (real) differences exist. And, by the way, for those who have made a religious mantra about white privilege which ones of peggy’s privileges can you give up?

I noted the words Justice then Peace. Telling one particular ethnic group that they are racists because they have privileges over which they have no control is not Justice and I can assure you that Peace will not be the end result of this blatant racism.

]]> By: Doug Noon http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2006/04/04/the-privilege-walk/comment-page-1/#comment-70514 Doug Noon Tue, 29 Jan 2008 07:34:46 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2006/04/04/the-privilege-walk/#comment-70514 Thanks, Lance, for your contribution here. It's been a while since I read this. I'm wondering about the implications of using "choice" as a filter because opportunity is still a necessary factor for any choices we could seriously consider. Without opportunity, our desires are wishes, or hopes. Thanks, Lance, for your contribution here. It’s been a while since I read this. I’m wondering about the implications of using “choice” as a filter because opportunity is still a necessary factor for any choices we could seriously consider. Without opportunity, our desires are wishes, or hopes.

]]> By: Lance http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2006/04/04/the-privilege-walk/comment-page-1/#comment-70477 Lance Tue, 29 Jan 2008 03:33:04 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2006/04/04/the-privilege-walk/#comment-70477 I have really enjoyed reading this blog about the "Privilege Walk". I am a white, heterosexual male in America and I run workshops on racism, privilege and alliance building for high school students. I, too, have facilitated the privilege walk, but I am always curious to see the different ways it is managed. For instance, as Keith said above, I have usually run it as an exercise about privilege, but not specifically about white privilege. Although I have done it with the focus being on white privilege as well. The results are different, but I would still say that in either form, there are more white people up front by the end of the exercise and people of color near the back, regardless of which list I read. The most recent time I facilitated the exercise, I had an interesting discussion with the participants (students and teachers). Someone said, "I didn't think you were asking the right questions." This, I thought, was a fascinating point. That I - a white male - was making up the rules for the exercise, was a good metaphor for privilege in society. The question is, who is asking the questions? Who is making up the rules? It is true in my experience that the list of privileges is almost entirely focused on externalities and not personal choices. Keith, I would love to hear more about how you run the second half of your "Privilege Walk" (the part that focuses on choices). Justice then Peace, Lance I have really enjoyed reading this blog about the “Privilege Walk”. I am a white, heterosexual male in America and I run workshops on racism, privilege and alliance building for high school students. I, too, have facilitated the privilege walk, but I am always curious to see the different ways it is managed.

For instance, as Keith said above, I have usually run it as an exercise about privilege, but not specifically about white privilege. Although I have done it with the focus being on white privilege as well. The results are different, but I would still say that in either form, there are more white people up front by the end of the exercise and people of color near the back, regardless of which list I read. The most recent time I facilitated the exercise, I had an interesting discussion with the participants (students and teachers). Someone said, “I didn’t think you were asking the right questions.” This, I thought, was a fascinating point. That I – a white male – was making up the rules for the exercise, was a good metaphor for privilege in society.

The question is, who is asking the questions? Who is making up the rules? It is true in my experience that the list of privileges is almost entirely focused on externalities and not personal choices. Keith, I would love to hear more about how you run the second half of your “Privilege Walk” (the part that focuses on choices).

Justice then Peace,
Lance

]]> By: Sarah Puglisi http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2006/04/04/the-privilege-walk/comment-page-1/#comment-37836 Sarah Puglisi Sat, 09 Jun 2007 01:30:13 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2006/04/04/the-privilege-walk/#comment-37836 I missed this somehow. Awesomely done. I was a McIntosh, think it's a cousin? I have no idea how to relate inside a "white group" anymore I've been so long enjoying this world I came to live in. Of late I think I want to just be in more space so much seems to be going downhill.But I do teach immigrants, some illegal, that are the current political football. I missed this somehow. Awesomely done. I was a McIntosh, think it’s a cousin?

I have no idea how to relate inside a “white group” anymore I’ve been so long enjoying this world I came to live in. Of late I think I want to just be in more space so much seems to be going downhill.But I do teach immigrants, some illegal, that are the current political football.

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