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cidercupcakes discusses an issue: 'it is not the duty of marginalized people to educate privileged people, or to fit some gold standard of "niceness" in calling them out on their privilege'Actually, while I fully 100% support what Cider is referring to (ie the erasure of a character's canon Jewishness by replacing it with Catholicism), her post translates to another important discussion of privilege that's recently surfaced on my flist.
I am tired of people complaining that 'privilege' is a word that makes them sick or sad or angry or annoyed or bored or omg too PC!!! or hypocritical or one of a dozen dismissal tactics that concurrently dismisses real, actual people. Hey - if you really do prefer to consciously dismiss other humans, then I'm have no interest in knowing you.
I'm unlocking a previous post for the sake of this one. Privilege, and its Wacky Cousin....Intersectionality!.
- most people who rail against the concept of privilege refuse to learn the concept of intersectionality. So essentially, they're being self-righteous about half an idea. Why? Why would they do this? Possibly because it's easier to do so, since then the becomes All About Them and How Hurt They Are by people talking about privilege? It's preferable to remain ignorant and not learn, because it's just too hard to analyse yourself? I don't know.
(sadly, I'm fairly sure people who need to learn and educate themselves won't be reading any of these posts. As I said - it's easier to remain hostage to one's own unchecked privilege.)
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THE LAST AIRBENDER
Why boycott The Last Airbender? From
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ssj10, her reasons: These Are My Colours*(*While racebending.com does not encourage illegal downloading, I personally feel that's your choice.)
A friend recently mentioned that they wanted to see The Last Airbender on the big screen, because its trailers looked cool and it occured to me that they're probably not the only one. Here is my suggestion.
Wanna see The Last Airbender on the big screen?
Okay. Then how about this --
1) Try not to go on opening weekend.
2) Buy a movie ticket for another movie (Karate Kid? Toy Story 3?). You are sill paying for a movie, so you are being honest to the theatre, and to yourself.
3) Encourage your friends to do the same
4) Sate your curiousity, watch TLA
That's my suggestion.
June 21 2010, 16:56:20 UTC 1 year ago
2) Buy a movie ticket for another movie (Karate Kid? Toy Story 3?).
Karate Kid! CHINA. CROSS-CULTURAL NARRATIVE. AND 3-DIMENSIONAL CHINESE PEOPLE. okay, in some cases narrowly avoiding exaggerated stereotypes of Chinese people, and also I feel like the Smiths just said TOUCHING BLACK PEOPLE'S HAIR IS CUTE, but i still feel like it gets a points for trying, especially in comparison to TLA :( :( :(
(a free movie pass, which went to buy a ticket for Sherlock Holmes, is how I saw the *other* Avatar in theatres. Ugh.)
June 22 2010, 13:36:32 UTC 1 year ago
June 21 2010, 16:58:52 UTC 1 year ago
There is a slight chance that my dude (whose total horror at the casting I may have mentioned to you) will go see it, because he is a total and abject special FX geek, but he's already said that IF he does, he'll be using the pay-for-a-different-ticket-and-sneak-in method, and probably walking out halfway through. I won't be going at all, but I understand this perspective.
June 22 2010, 13:37:28 UTC 1 year ago
June 21 2010, 17:02:43 UTC 1 year ago
June 21 2010, 19:47:08 UTC 1 year ago
1 year ago
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June 21 2010, 18:03:55 UTC 1 year ago
Anywho, thanks for the list of suggestions. Honestly, #2 is by far the most appealing to me, but I doubt I'll end up doing any of the four. I vowed to boycott the movie and it wouldn't feel right to do so and still end up watching it on the big screen.
June 22 2010, 13:43:46 UTC 1 year ago
1 year ago
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June 21 2010, 18:05:17 UTC 1 year ago
But thank you for your LJ and racebending and the like to get the word out. Perfectly explains why it does matter, and why it SHOULD matter irrespective of color.
June 22 2010, 13:46:24 UTC 1 year ago
June 21 2010, 19:02:21 UTC 1 year ago
June 22 2010, 13:48:10 UTC 1 year ago
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June 21 2010, 19:22:40 UTC 1 year ago
That's a very clever idea... but still slightly dishonest. At the same time, you're not technically cheating the theatre out of money. I don't know. I have no interest in seeing the movie because it's not a canon I ever followed, but I can understand those who want to see it. Either way, it still burns me that they whitewashed the cast of the movie like that. I mean, seriously, it's just *headdesk*-worthy. But if I wanted to see the movie because I followed the animated show... I don't know what I'd do. That's a really tough question.
RE: Privilege:
A funny thing is when people assume you to be in the "privileged" role in a debate until told otherwise.
I found it highly amusing the other day when I was told to check my cis-gendered privilege. I have other types of privilege that I'm becoming aware of, and I'm trying to learn more about them so that I'll have a better understanding of how those types of privilege impact those around me and society at large, and how to be a better person with that understanding... but cisgendered privilege is not on my list.
One of my friends told me this story yesterday: she was at the Egyptian exhibit at the local museum, and was looking at a statue of the God Thoth. Someone started speaking to her, and my friend commented that she thought the statue was beautiful. The person apparently took that comment to mean that she was looking at the statue as a mere piece of art and not a religious item, and she snapped at her about her "Christo-centric privilege." My friend is Pagan and one of her patron Gods is Thoth. *headdesk*
Also... speaking of religious privilege and assumptions... I had an odd encounter with one of the people running a panel at Infinitus. Apparently, they're presenting on various religious/secular interpretations of Deathly Hallows:
http://www.infinitus2010.org/fp/christi
However, they're only presenting Jewish, Muslim, and Christian viewpoints, in addition to "secular." That doesn't sound like religious diversity to me, seeing as they're all monotheistic religions with the same primary deity and the same geographic origin. Still, I guess it's better than many people would consider.
June 23 2010, 18:05:33 UTC 1 year ago
I'm going to defriend you now and I ask one favour: please don't contact me via LJ, PM or email. I need time to heal, after learning an unhappy lesson: fandom is not my go-to place for trust or understanding.
Thanks.
Anonymous
1 year ago
1 year ago
June 21 2010, 19:42:41 UTC 1 year ago
June 22 2010, 13:51:06 UTC 1 year ago
I agree with
June 21 2010, 19:52:25 UTC 1 year ago
ITA. CBC aired a show this afternoon that had a former CBC employee talking about IT HURT HER when her art profs crit'd her work for being exploitative and that her position of privileged and power in relation to the content was problematic, and she didn't even say anything about FUCKING THINKING or even at the least TRYING TO UNDERSTAND what they were saying, NO NO NO IT WAS ALL ABOUT HER HURT AND PAIN AND THE MEAN ART WORLD DOESN'T UNDERSTAND HER DESIRES and well if she's white and female and middle/upper class then why bother doing anything at all lockdown of discussion & goodbye cruel world where people want to be treated like people and that's getting the way of my ~project~. I haven't finished it yet, but am writing what is essentially a fuck you letter regarding that broadcast b/c I can't believe the level of selfish, entitled bullshit involved not only in the interview, but in the decision to air once, and then twice!
Wanna see The Last Airbender on the big screen?
NO.
June 22 2010, 13:52:37 UTC 1 year ago
1 year ago
June 21 2010, 20:04:00 UTC 1 year ago
Brilliantly stated.
June 22 2010, 13:53:55 UTC 1 year ago
June 21 2010, 20:05:49 UTC 1 year ago
or they'll read them and think it doesn't apply to them.
June 22 2010, 13:54:35 UTC 1 year ago
June 21 2010, 21:23:31 UTC 1 year ago
Thanks for the link to Cider's post.
June 22 2010, 13:55:14 UTC 1 year ago
June 21 2010, 22:15:52 UTC 1 year ago
June 21 2010, 22:29:58 UTC 1 year ago
1 year ago
June 21 2010, 22:58:58 UTC 1 year ago
I've not actually heard of Intersectionality before. From what I can gather in my tired state, it's the idea that most people are both privileged and unprivileged on different levels because of the many kinds of privilege out there, and it all interlinks?
So in that sense, a type of privilege (I'll use white privilege as an example) refers to how a person of that privilege will think of their experiences as being normal rather than experiences bestowed on them by their having an advantage, and intersectionality says that while that may be so, their lack of privilege in other areas interweaves with that and creates different levels of privilege/non-privilege in each person (so a person with white privilege may also be gay and disabled, and those non-privileges weave together).
i'm sensing more and more that this is something one needs to seriously study before even getting the foggiest idea about it.
June 22 2010, 14:16:11 UTC 1 year ago
Take, for example, the well-known knowledge that there is a lot of sexism in the world, and oftentimes within a woman's own circle of family/friends/acquaintances. She is aware of it and considers herself a feminist and is very invested in helping her fellow woman.
However, when it comes to disabled issues, she might make a lot of able-privileged comments (ie saying things like 'retarded' when she's joking with people). When she's called on her able-ist privilege, she gets indignant because god! - she struggles for her rights as a woman every day and it's not easy and she's done this her whole life!!! And therefore it's not fair that these anti-ableist people are trying to make her fell guilty about the word 'retarded'. And she has disabled friends who've never said anything about her using that word, so stop over-reacting and stop being angry at her. And a year ago, this one sexist disabled fellow said something horribly sexist about women - but what, somehow THAT'S okay?? etc, etc, etc
This is where intersectionality comes in: is fosters empathy. If you are marginalized in one way - you can still have privilege in other ways. And (tying into my story) instead of trying to bring up how marginalized she is so she doesn't feel anyone has the right to point out any sort of privilege she might have - why not think about how much she'd be upset/angry/frustrated if someone brought up those same strawman arguments about feminism. Why not unpack her own able-bodied privilege so that she can acknowledge and apologize for her mistake, just as she'd want someone to apologize for a display of male privilege, if she called them out.
1 year ago
June 22 2010, 00:01:56 UTC 1 year ago
June 22 2010, 14:19:29 UTC 1 year ago
June 22 2010, 01:10:21 UTC 1 year ago Edited: June 22 2010, 01:14:27 UTC
June 22 2010, 14:20:15 UTC 1 year ago
June 22 2010, 02:09:28 UTC 1 year ago
A movie theatre only keeps, I want to say maybe 20 or 10 percent of the ticket sale. They *might* keep more of the extra mark up on a 3D ticket because 3D projection machines are fucking expensive as hell and it's a real financial burden (but also investment) for a theatre to buy one, but I'm not sure on that. In any case, it's a very small amount, which is one of the reasons movie theatres generally let their employees see as many free movies as they want and it's very easy to let friends in for free, unlike other places like retail or restaurants where discounts are very strictly monitored. (And discounts on concessions would likely be strictly monitored.)
Any way, while it would be the theatre's responsibility to make sure people don't sneak into movies, it definitely doesn't make a difference to the theatre's income itself if you go to a different movie, as long as you pay for a ticket.
Also, if a film does badly at a theatre, they'll get rid of it quicker since they need to be bringing in people to buy all the food! So definitely waiting until a second or third week will help, because reducing the screens will translate as a failure.
June 22 2010, 02:12:36 UTC 1 year ago
Or. Just not going! I hate that "this looks like garbage but I'll see it anyway, I like to NOT THINK at the movies!" mentality D:
1 year ago
June 22 2010, 02:35:31 UTC 1 year ago
I always appreciate reading your posts on this subject. I think I'll always be learning, and I can't imagine ever not wanting and needing the opportunity to educate myself further about my own white/able-bodied/cisgender/educated etc. privilege and how to be supportive and empathetic toward those who are underprivileged in those areas. So, thank you :)
I'm planning to boycott TLA, but I think those are good ideas to satisfy curiosity without supporting the film. I think just about everybody at my office has gotten into an unwitting conversation with me about TLA's racefail when they ask me "Oh, hey, you like fantasy and animation! Are you going to see that new movie?" Most of them have been appalled to hear what's gone on, so hopefully that's done some good.
June 22 2010, 19:13:17 UTC 1 year ago
Most of them have been appalled to hear what's gone on, so hopefully that's done some good.
*CLAP CLAP CLAP* I love hearing stories like this. Thanks for sharing!
June 22 2010, 06:14:21 UTC 1 year ago
I'm not into the fandom in question, but I'll make sure I avoid that movie if it comes up as an option if I go to the cinema with friends.
Aside from that I thought I'd add my two cents? You can ignore if you want, but before you start skimming I really wanted to let you know that I respect standing up for stuff like this, especially when it reveals stuff about people you didn't want to know about and effects your dealings with them.
Mostly I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate that explanation of intersectionality and the links to the doll test. I'm Australian, so racism tends to crop up in different manifestations than what that group looks into, but the dad with the sweet little 9 year old that kept going on about how it was what was on the inside that matters is totally an inspiration. It's also taught me a lesson in the importance of acknowledging race - within reason - rather than feeling like I'm morally obliged to pretend like it has no effect on anyone whatsoever.
I'm white and come from a pretty privileged socioeconomic sphere, so I've always felt like I had no right to become involved in these sorts of debates because I was scared it would come across as 'me - privileged and well educated - speaking up for the underprivileged masses that obviously couldn't defend themselves with the same authority' or whatever. And I've grown up with heaps of friends that have had to deal with this sort of thing and worse, and that note about my inherent guilt is actually supremely helpful, so thanks. Anyway, the point of this is that I appreciate having this chance to learn more about the issue and actually have the correct terms and evidence for stuff I've always been invested in but never been brave enough to become actively involved with.
June 22 2010, 19:18:25 UTC 1 year ago
July 15 2010, 20:47:08 UTC 1 year ago
To speak up or not speak up?
Coming late to the discussion, again. But this post has prompted me to bring up something that's troubled me over the years.I'm a middle-aged middle-class suburban white-bread housewife. Suppose I am in a public place where I overhear someone make a racist comment in front of a member of the race in question. I'd like to speak up and call out the person who made the comment. OK. But should I, when there's already someone else with more "right" (if that's even the correct way to look at it) to speak up? I mean, I don't want to come off as the Brave White Defender of Poor Minority People Who Can't Speak for Themselves. But I'm also afraid of seeming to condone the racist jerk's comment by my silence.
By the way, in my example, I'm assuming that I don't personally know either of the people in question.
I'd really appreciate hearing everyone's thoughts on this subject.