Throughout this week so far I have learned a lot about the treatment of Native Americans in today’s modern world. At the beginning of the week, we watched a video relating to a situation involving Canada’s national anniversary. This video really got to me and I felt a way that I have not really felt before. It was a weird sensation. I will try to explain as best as I can but like I said, it was weird.
I have never really been scolded much in my life but the way those women were talking made me feel really bad, almost as if they were scolding me. I know they were talking about white privilege and about how they were being disrespected because white people were ignoring who they were and what they stood for. That is not why I was so upset, though. I know that I have white privilege, and I am happy and thankful that I do not have to go through what other races do, but I also understand that what they are going through needs to end.
I was upset because I felt helpless, not attacked. I felt like there was something – is something that I should be doing, and that we all should do, too. I am not talking about going big and starting a huge campaign or anything (unless you really want to, I guess). There are subtle things that I feel like it is my responsibility, and everyone’s responsibility, to do. That could be as simple as correcting someone when they say something that is not appropriate (MICROAGGRESSIONS EXIST) or telling someone to change their Halloween costume because of the racist connotations connected to it. The little things can make a difference. Eventually, if we all get on board, maybe we can make life easier for the Native People of our land, and other races, too.
I also just felt sorry for them. Not a pity sorry, but an actual “I’m sorry” sorry. I know that I can never feel how another race feels. I can never feel the hatred or the bigotry we as a society put on people who appear to be different. I cannot apologize for my entire race. I know that is not feasible, but I am upset and sorry that others have to endure something like this. To some extent, I can empathize with other minorities, Native Americans included; being a gay man I am always on alert because some people suck and are just cruel. I know how bad words and actions can hurt. Hopefully, you guys do not. Regardless, we can all make other’s lives easier.
Even after class I just wanted to cry. I do not understand how painful it must be to be treated without respect because of the color of my skin. I do not know how much it hurts to have your culture stepped on and ignored. I hope I never have to experience that. I also hope one day, maybe in the near future, we can allow the world to begin to love again. Then hopefully no one else will have to experience that either.
The video really got to me and the discussions we have been having are really important. I am very glad that this class is expanding my horizons and allowing me to see things that I used to be blind to.
I guess that biggest thing I learned from that class period was that we are all human; we all feel the same emotions and we all share this Earth. If we want to continue as a species we are going to need to start accepting and acknowledging that other people matter.
Trinity Dearborn June 22, 2018
There a few spelling and punctuation mistakes that I feel take away from the message you’re trying to send. Overall, I think you have a good starting point to help alleviate some of the effects of white privilege. However, I feel you still have much to learn about actions and intent.
As a person of color, there were some sentences in your response that irked me a bit. It’s almost as if you’re trying to be too careful. Most POC don’t want pity, they want change. Even though I know it wasn’t your intention, much of what you say makes it seem like POC haven’t been doing things to change how society treats them.
I know you’re a good dude and I hope you keep educating yourself and others.
Jake June 22, 2018 — Post Author
Thanks, I’ll keep what you said in mind.
Nayra Lujano June 22, 2018
Hello Jake. I know it took me awhile to get here but I really like what you wrote. I have a few things that may be of interest to you:
The first thing I would like to mention is the difference between minorities and minoritized groups. The word minorities makes these groups seem “less than” what they actually are. But that’s not necessarily true. The term minoritized makes it seem more like society has made then “less than”, which (at least to me) is a more accurate statement with a perfect example being how the First Nations people were treated throughout history.
I being this up for a few reasons. The first is if we want to promote change we need to also change our choice of words. Just as an opinion, your microagression statement should be out of parenthesis. It needs to be loud and said. Announced from the top of some building where everyone can hear. Alvin Poussaint refers to microaggressions as “death by a thousand cuts”. Which I believe is a totally valid way of explaining them. Derald Wing Sue explains that microagressions are more harmful than blatent discrimination, which I so agree with. Words have a huge impact and many people fail to realize that.
The last thing I want to say is not only do we need to accept and acknowledge that people matter but also listen to people who need their voices heard. From all of these people living minoritized groups, they haven’t been “listened” to. If anything, their voices may be gone, even if they are still screaming at the top of their lungs. Just listening to someone can have a huge impact and I think that’s something we need to push more.
Love what you wrote!
Jake June 23, 2018 — Post Author
You’ve helped broaden what knowledge I’ve all ready had. Thanks for your response.