White guy here, son of a doctor, about as privileged as it gets.
And I just had an exchange here on Daily Kos that has me befuddled. It’s like one of those drawings where, when you look at it one way, it’s an old crone, and when you look at it another way, it’s a beautiful young woman.
On the one hand, the person with whom I’m having the dialogue is absolutely right, and I completely get where s/he is coming from and I was totally out of line (and, in retrospect, the sarcastic spin was absolutely unnecessary).
On the other hand, what s/he said utterly reeks of privilege, and I should have used both barrels.
Old crone?
Beautiful young woman?
I really don’t know.
And likely, neither do you.
But when it comes to privilege, to economic inequality, to Sanders vs. Clinton, perhaps even to The One Ring That Rules Them All, this — perhaps — encapsulates so very much.
I would like to share it with you, and I’d like your thoughts on it.
To dov12348, I apologize for the sarcasm, and I thank you for the dialogue. Because it really did make me start to look at the drawing, and I keep seeing two pictures. And thank you to ciganka for the contribution as well.
So, without further ado:
I agree with Bernie on economic issues, but there are other issues.
So tell me, Gerry, what issues should the family who was made homeless by the economy think about in between going through dumpsters?
Whether they’ll be shot by cops?
I’m sorry, you didn’t mention whether they were Black or not.
Whether the daughter, who was raped while sleeping under a bridge, can get an abortion?
I’m sorry, you didn’t mention whether the family had any girls.
Whether they’re afraid of being arrested because they face deportation?
I’m sorry, you didn’t mention whether there were any Dreamers in the family.
But if you’re coming from a white male citizen point of view, well, privilege is wonderful, ain’t it?
I know you’re thinking that.
And that’s really the problem I’m pointing out.
Here’s a hint for a treasure hunt that will give you the full answer: Think “Maslow”
Okay, here you go. Those other issues are all important. But hunger, when it really hits you hard, it wipes out everything else. That’s all you can think about. I’ve studied the Holocaust; there was only mud left in the concentration camps. Why? The inmates would eat all the grass.
I know that during my times of hardship that so many things happened to me because I was poor. All events were much more difficult to manage. Having no money gave me absolutely no leverage and left me more vulnerable to oppression.
This is not a call-out. I’m really seeing dov’s point from this angle, and am outraged from that angle.
Can we talk about this?