power

[mousechaser]

I am in the process of writing a paper for my multicultural education class, it is supposed to map my personal racial, social and cultural characteristics and to analyze them. There is the idea that I will be able to contrast my own experience with what I know about other experiences, but it really can't be that easy. I know that I don't have the

Comments

[thekenosis]

On the eve of my JVC year, I came to the startling conclusion that my status as a young, white, heterosexual, educated man gave me a whole wealth of power - and not because I deserved it or could necessarily be trusted to use it well. It was mine just because the (rediculous) standards of society said so. It was a very scary thought.

Knowing that guys like me who fit the above description are not allowed to fall through the cracks, I figured all this strange power was mine to keep and do with as I pleased. Because it made me really (REALLY) uncomfortable, though, I decided the best thing to do was to give it back to other people, especially people who wouldn't otherwise have it.

Similarly, I remember giving a talk on a retreat for My Girls at St. Mary's. The talk was about appearences, and I remember one line in particular: "I know I don't have to tell a group of young, minority women from Inglewood about how this world prejudices appearences." It got a lot of knowing glances and nods.

Hope this helps (at all).

[lotta]

It means you can work anywhere you damn well please in the EU!! ;)

[lotta]

At least after 2006 or 2007, that is.

[phi_beta_dapper]

I feel for you -- this is a tricky web to map

[dnab]

If I celebrate Christmas, am I celebrating it because I'm white, or because I'm American

[thekenosis]

Actually, if you celebrate Christmas, you're doing it cause you are Christian.

That or you like presents.

[dnab]

That depends on your interpretation of Christmas. Perhaps it's ethnocentric to think this, but America and it's consumer-culture has played a big role in changing the nature and identity of Christmas. I think perhaps the most telling thing is the fact that we have a substantial amount of non-denominational Christmas songs.

So perhaps a better question is: do I celebrate Christmas *the way I do* because I'm American, because I come from an anglo-saxon family tree, or because I was raised Christian? Simply put, it's all of them, but the question that it's really meant to get at is how much and in what ways does each tradition contribute to the way I see, experience, and remember Christmas?

[thekenosis]

Just so long as you recognize that I know quite a few people here in Bethlehem who are not American and have melanin in their skin. And they celebrate Christmas...TWICE!

[mousechaser]

wow! Looks like I might just have to post my paper when I get done with it, too bad it is going to suck - ha!