Comments on: The Way We Speak

By: Clark Wensman

Clark Wensman — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 03:15:06 +0000

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By: Jeff Megared

Jeff Megared — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 02:36:19 +0000

Jacob – you hit the nail right on the head. It is refreshing to read about someone who has the courage to speak so openly about privilege and to do so in a constructive way. Fantastic eye opening article.

By: Tara Affolter

Tara Affolter — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:20:12 +0000

Jacob- Thanks for writing this and thanks for your honest and transparent analysis of privilege. I think you trouble the notion of identity markers and choice quite powerfully. Joey’s post about differing types of privileges actually goes hand in hand with your exploration here…especially the action steps at the end of the piece. In a space like Middlebury where privilege is so prevalent and yet so mired in guilt and inaction, I found your post quite refreshing. Thanks again for taking the risk.

By: Jay Saper

Jay Saper — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 02:14:22 +0000

Jacob, thank you very much for your post. I could not agree more with the positive message of listening to others, in so doing becoming co-creators with them.

Joey, I appreciate you posting the document addressing privilege adapted from the TJLP.

Jeffrey, I am confused by your statement regarding rights existing before government. It is very much the case that our government absolutely confers and denies rights, privileging and marginalizing groups regardless of how wrong this is. For instance there are over a thousand rights tied to marriage (see: http://www.gao.gov/archive/1997/og97016.pdf and http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04353r.pdf). None of us exist outside of power and it is necessary for us to acknowledge this fact (and not claim otherwise) so that we can work to make things more just.

By: Melida Maldonado

Melida Maldonado — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:30:46 +0000

Really great post Jacob! “Es war sehr gut!” *hopefully that was grammatically correct!*

I also agree with Topher’s post on celebrating and recognizing privilege. I am also grateful for Joey Radu’s breakdown on privilege. It is a word with negative connotations when in fact we all have a form of privilege even if we are not aware of it or like to admit it. However, it is all a matter of how one uses their privilege in regards to their relationships with others that truly matters to me. Like Jacob said, it could really be a conversation starter or a way of putting different ideas on the table. Unfortunately, certain privileges such as social class depreciate others and is the dominant perception in people’s minds when they think about the term privilege.

By: Jeffrey Garofano

Jeffrey Garofano — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 22:40:17 +0000

Jacob, it was enlightening for me to read about your personal considerations in deciding to wear a kippah on campus. I’d also add that my personal conversations with you, as well as your blog post, attest to your critical thinking. On the topic of language, I was curious as to why you view your decision to wear your self-selected identity (in this case, a kippah) as a privilege, “in every sense of the word.” I would consider it a human right–not a privilege granted. Here I disagree with Joey’s note: a human right, at least in my understanding, cannot be a privilege, because it cannot be granted from anybody. In the same sense, it cannot be merely “tolerated,” which is to say, enjoyed only due to the forbearance of someone else. I see rights as existing before government (governments can only “secure” them, in the words of our Declaration). I agree that we should be thankful for the rights that we have wrested from government interference, and that we should ally with groups whose rights are as-yet unsecured. But there can be no guilt in living free (wearing a kippah, being black, gay, etc.), because freedom is the default state respected by the idea of human rights. There can only be shame when such identities are disrespected and unsecured.

By: Bente

Bente — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:31:54 +0000

I think you nailed it Jacob. Referring to Topher’s comment about power and privilege, I offer the quotation “With great power comes great responsibility” (FDR or Spiderman depending on who you ask). To me privilege seems also to come with a lot of extra responsibilities.

By: Barbara Ofosu-Somuah

Barbara Ofosu-Somuah — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:27:47 +0000

Thank you so much Jacob for talking about this. It is not something that is discussed nearly enough on this campus. The words “power” and “privilege” have become such taboo terms that we all sometimes forget that in our own ways we have both and that it is in how we use them that matters.

By: Zach Schuetz '11

Zach Schuetz '11 — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:39:42 +0000

Jacob: As someone who, I am told, is known across campus as “Bathrobe Guy”, I both sympathize and empathize with your story, particularly the “desire for our identity to be acknowledged and respected in its distinctiveness”.

Here at Middlebury, we have incredible freedom to express ourselves, both verbally and otherwise. The challenge, as you noted, is to do so in a way that is respectful of others who may come from different backgrounds. Too often, this leads to a tendency to avoid talking at all, except within certain “safe” parameters and subjects – midterms, weekend plans, etc. Although this may avoid a certain number of awkward moments in the short term, I feel that it is counterproductive as it deprives us of the chance to learn more about each other and question our assumptions. It also, as you noted above, contributes to a certain thoughtlessness – literally, a lack of mindfulness and deliberate thought – when we are speaking.

Like you, I hope that my manner of dress can be a conversation starter. Occasionally we all need to be shaken out of our comfort zones. After all, privileges are negative only when they are extended to some groups and not others. Stopping to think about these privileges, and understanding and appreciating the advantages we have, is the first step in figuring out how to extend them to others and create a more equitable society.

By: Jacob U

Jacob U — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:45:06 +0000

Thanks for that post, Joey.

I agree with you that the term privilege doesn’t come with positive connotations. I wanted to get across how vital it is to claim privilege, with all of its baggage, and then to use that as a means to become more aware about the power that each of us holds in the seemingly innocuous ways we go about our days.

At the same time, I’m challenged by what Topher wrote. Where is the line between celebrating and recognizing privilege? Which approach creates more space to listen to narratives that are otherwise unheard? I’d love to hear people’s thoughts…