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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

recognizing my white privilege

interesting conversions.

they really began for me more than a year ago at the CPM symposium and have slowly been more prevalent since then. i suppose i'm becoming more aware that these conversations actually need to be had and i'm really not competent to have them. but at least i'm in them. i'm trying.

i don't feel as though it's my obligation to speak up about white privilege and the racial disparity that is imbued in every nuance of this world. but i feel as though i'm being asked. the need is there. a shift has to be made.

it's my obligation to stand up when it could be so easy to sit down. to turn it off in the way that my white privilege allows.

*********

a few weeks ago there was a post from midwifery today that compared the plight of midwives with the abolitionists and childbirth in america with that of african american slaves.

the response was heated and emotional. controversy arose. the post was removed and an apology given. and a letter to the editor written.

it was strange to be part of that. to know that there are people that think that is ok. and placing myself within the framework to defend that.

it's not comfortable to think about the fact that i have experienced and accomplished much in my life due simply to the fact that i am white. it's much more difficult to accept it.

but here i am. and this is what i am doing. starting a conversation.










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2 comments:

  1. AlissaMarch 7, 2013 at 8:54 AM

    Well done, Tracy! I think truly coming to terms with the implications and repercussions of white privilege is one of the most difficult processes that the socially cognizant go through. Ironically, it is also a process with no end. Good for you, and good luck continuing the process and learning from the journey.

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  2. AnonymousMarch 9, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    "We must rapidly begin the shift from a "thing-oriented" society to a "person-oriented" society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered."
    ---Martin Luther King, Jr.

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