Author: kwetoday

Dear every white, hetero, able-bodied male,

Uncategorized, , One comment

Dear every white, hetero, abled-bodied male,

If you are reading this and you are a white, hetero, able-bodied white male, then you are a pretty special case. So special, that you deserve your own little shout out. Ya, for privilege!

It seems that I am having a problem with you lately. I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me. You know, being female and all, it must be me. No really, it must be.

But I just can’t shake it.

No matter what the discussion, you always seem to rear your little white, hetero, head (with your able-bodied attached to it of course). Even discussions around certain topics that you seem you think your opinion is valuable. I mean, it must be valuable if you, Mister white, hetero, abled-bodied male, are speaking on it; your opinion is the only one that is valuable. meme

Frankly, I have had enough of it. Fa realz.

Education? But, you have more of it. Employment? Duh! You have the most employment experience so that makes you, Mister white, hetero, able-bodied male, an expert on the topic. Gender? Well, you’re a male. So, of course, your opinion is more valuable! Screw the females, you say, no really, let’s screw the females… literally! Racism? You think your experiences matter more. They must. Sexism? Well, not all males are sexist, and you’re walking/living fuckin proof not all males are sexist.

sexist

Because if there is one male that can speak for all males, it’s you! And if there is one person who can give an opinion on any topic, it’s you! Mister White, Heterosexual, Able-bodied Male with all your living/breathing privilege. You and your opinions matter more than anyone else in the world, and thus, you must be included in the discussion.

So from all places and spaces you have been excluded from, I apologize.

Sincerely,

Me.

“[Martin Luther King] has that awesome insight that white people would rather destroy democracy than have racial equality….We see it so clearly that people would rather have white supremacy and hierarchy than any other kind of justice. People really think that, “Justice!? Those negroes have had enough. We’ve given them enough!”…. but we do live in this space, black people, brown people of cognitive dissonance that we know white supremacy is real but at the same time we would like to walk in our daily lives as though democracy is real, justice is real, equality is real….There is something so almost unbelievable about his level of innocence, about the horrific nature of white supremacy because [MLK] really believes that whiteness will protect him, like you know that to me is like ‘wow, if someone can come from that time period and believe that whiteness will protect him.’ Then I think about our son, our brother, Trayvon Martin. What did he think would protect him? Did he think that he was in danger of losing his life or did he have that innocence again about whiteness?” — bell hooks @ approximately 36:49

Fuck. I love every bit of this video. Check it out HERE!

UncategorizedVideo Leave a comment

Racism, Reverse Racism, Privilege, and Reverse Privilege.

Uncategorized, , One comment

I know I haven’t been blogging much lately but I guess that’s what school does to you (especially if you are in your final year). I was actually inspired to write this post because of a discussion on my Facebook after I shared an article entitled “Why Reverse Racism Isn’t Real.” by Sara Luckey.

I am not going to define the term racism because I don’t think that it should be defined. We are all bright enough to figure that out ourselves. I will, however, demonstrate that reverse racism doesn’t exist. So that is what this post is about: why reverse racism isn’t real.

Similar to what the article cited above says, within a discussion of racism, some peeps feel safe enough to say, “Well, I experience reverse racism” which is predominantly white people who say this because that is the only population group who can experience reverse racism (if it in fact were actually a thing). As I noted, reverse racism occurs within a discussion about racism and more often than not it is a white person coming in and saying, “But hey! I know you experience racism, but I experience reverse racism because of racism!” White people usually have the balls to say such a thing (especially in a conversation about racism) because for white people, it has to be all about them and their feelings, and if we ignore their feelings, then they are oppressed. No. Not. Real.

I remember the first time I read bell hooks she talked about these feelings and why white people, especially white women, should be invited to feel these feelings of discomfort, etc. within the discussion of racism. It invites white people in to experience the effects of racism but only for a moment. White people who feel this way in these discussions can leave those feelings at the door when they exit the discussion. So, the effects aren’t real and lasting like, you know, racism. White people can exit those experiences at any moment in time.

Also similar to what the article above says, saying that white people experience reverse racism downplays the actual and real effects of racism that non-white people experience on a daily basis. Sure white people may experience hatred towards them for the fact that they are white but that is not reverse racism. White people who are called dirty and stupid never think that because of their whiteness they are dirty or stupid. But an Indigenous student who is sitting in a classroom filled with her native peers who is called dirty and stupid by her teacher will begin to believe that because of her Indianness she is dirty and stupid. Because that really happened to me, and that’s how it made me feel. What is the reverse racism of that experience? Exactly, nothing. Because reverse racism doesn’t exist.

So, people don’t experience reverse racism because of racism. They may experience racism because of racism but not because it is reverse racism. So yes, white people can be the brunt of some racist jokes or policies. Like when job ad says that they will give priority to people from a specific group like a First Nations organizations that hires First Nations people over white people first. Because that is a racist policy! #Sarcasm. But it is not reverse racism. It’s called catering to a specific group who has lived experiences and understands the nuances of those lived experiences from a very real perspective.

In the end, the opposite of racism is not reverse racism. The opposite of racism is not racism. If reverse racism were an actual thing, it would point out the fact reverse racism is racism. Because what is the opposite of reverse racism? Not reverse racism. So it negates racism all together. It says, racism doesn’t exist because reverse racism exists. White people may experience an event with racist undertones in their lives, but those events are not reverse racism as they are the exact same group who experiences the benefits of racism (and also benefit from reverse racism if it in fact were real). And what is it called when people experience the benefits of racism? Privilege, and non-white people don’t experience reverse privilege because they are non-white.*

*Note: That is not say that some non-white people don’t experience privilege because privilege comes in many forms: education, occupation, sex, etc. I am just writing within the context of racial privileges. Further the point, studies have been done on female offenders and those who align with white conceptions of beauty and behaviour will in fact be treated much less harshly than those who do not align with white conceptions of beauty and behaviours (Source). Where is the reverse racism in those experiences? Exactly. Not. Real.

justin

Awwww isn’t that sweet, you could have asked Justin (Yes, Mr. Dreamy himself) a question (or maybe two if you are really lucky). But wait…. you had to pay $250.00 at the door (or to get on the list–not entirely sure). But who cares, it’s the man himself: Justin!

Earlier today as I was enjoying myself (and also my yummy burrito that I was devouring in blissfulness since I was craving a yummy burrito all day), I stopped to take a scroll through my twitter feed. I also noticed earlier one of my followers were RTing tweets that talked about Justin and Lady Questions but I did not know what they were talking about and I didn’t delve into their tweets any further. I mean, they could have been talking about an actual lady and didn’t know how to spell Justine (hence, the use of Lady Question along side Justin instead of Justine). Nope. That was not the case.

About a month or so a go an event was created by a group of sweet and innocent event coordinators as outlined in their statement. Don’t miss the part that they were women! organizers

What concerned me about the event was the fact that it was created by an alleged 20 “professional” women along with the fact that it was set to discuss “women’s issues.” The organizers state it themselves, “A fundraiser designed BY women FOR women.” I think what they really mean is a certain type of women. I mean, $250.00 a ticket to discuss women’s issues? Yes, they organizers are correct, this event will motivate and inspire women. Motivate and inspire them to change the ridiculousness that is so prevalent in politics. If you can pay X amount of money, you can be THAT much closer to your leader(s). The organizers also state that “it is a sad day in politics when an innocuous fundraising event be twisted by a highly partisan agenda to distract from the pressing issues the government face.” I am Liberal and (sometimes) I am proud. I don’t agree with everything that all Liberals do indefinitely (but I am certain that many people also can say the same in their support with other parties).

What upsets me is that the space was advertised as a “safe” space and space for women (who could afford the ticket price) to discuss women’s issues. I could careless if it was an NDP or CPC fundraising event. I would still be upset. Sadly, this is something that I can see the CPC party doing. “Oh but we didn’t mean for it to offend.” Let’s get out the fuckin t-shirts and start the screen printing tomorrow!

This space for this event speaks to the most pressing issue that women face across the country: lack of access to security, safety, justice, health, etc. (just ask any Indigenous woman). But hey, here is a novel idea: Let’s make things more inaccessible by charging $250.00 to hear what they have to say!

One of the organizers even goes on to tweet,

Picture 4

Get a grip! Yes all you hooting and hollering over their evite that was set out exactly what it meant to do! All of you are reading way too into it. You all should have been in attendance instead of complaining about the evite (you can’t complaign about the event yourself because you probably didn’t attend the event)! But only if you are truly curious though, like the organizer says, then you should have been there tonight. Tsk tsk for all of you who couldn’t make it. You were just not that curious. But that shouldn’t matter because, like I said, they accomplished what they wanted to do. So, let’s just all ignore the fact that many women at the centre of these pressing issues can’t even have their own voices heard.

So ladies, like one of the organizers says herself, you should just all Get. Over. It. and let this type of behaviour go unnoticed and unchallenged because, I mean, how did we, as women, get this far in life by keeping our mouths shut, and not speaking out against such atrocious behaviour (even it comes from one of our own). Another woman can never act in such a way against all women. Nope. Definitely not. Women are too pure and innocent to do such things. Shame on you womens for complaining about another group of women trying to do good!

Maybe they can get 10 points for stealing from the Obama campaign materials with the use of Warhol-esque type edits of Justin’s noggin. Maybe.

And maybe we should also give these cheeky, lighthearted do-gooders a pat on the shoulder (if you can afford it) for doing such a good job at organizing and promoting a fundraising event that excludes many. Hey! It wasn’t their intent to offend anyone! All is forgiven.

 Oh, before I forget, where was my evite to this Justin Unplugged event? I mean, I would have really, really liked to be plugged into Justin.

“Maybe it’s because they are less developed than the rest of Canada….”

Uncategorized, , , , View all 2 comments

And by less developed, they really mean, less intelligent, less smart, less capable, less of a person, less of a being…

Oh yes, if I could count how many times I heard/read such comments like those in the title of this post, I would need more than my 10 fingers and 10 toes. 

This year I am in my final year of university (OMFG!) and I have to take this one 2nd year course in order to get into a course I need to graduate which is during my next term. So this means it is an introductory course (gah!). I am not happy to be taking it because I didn’t know I needed this course until this year in order to get into the 4th year courses I need to graduate which kind of sucks because I don’t want to be in a 2nd year course in my 4th year. But whatevessss, I will deal, and so far, I have been dealing… dealing with a lot of the same bullshit racism/discriminatory/stereotyping remarks from my peers NOW that I dealt with in first, second, and third year. Yeah, nothing’s changed. Wait, I lied. 

There is a change. The change? Well, I know a bit more on how to counter a racist statement by my peers. Whoa, wait, what? Some of my peers say racist things?! Yeah, they do. They don’t even know it, or maybe they do and they just really like showing off their ignorance like a big ole shiny gold medal, “Look ma! I am showing my racism!” Can we blame them? Sure we can. They take everything they read at face value. We most certainly can’t blame the fine institution of education for their ignorance, racism, and willful blindness can we? Because look at all the textbooks and such that tell them that Indigenous people in Canada were primitive and less developed when the Europeans arrived. How dare we question textbooks! Or what about the white, old men who developed theories that are still being touted as the best theories and the founding theories for all the other theories that came after a white, old man’s theorizing? Eh?*

The thing that I realized in my final year of university (OMFG!) is that I have had all the tools I need to counter racist/ignorant comments made by my peers and made by teachers (if we do want to go back all the way in my education where this racism began–elementary school), and even those old white men who the education system likes to put on a pedestal. 

I had all the knowledge and experiences that made me capable enough to say, “Hey, you’re wrong. That’s racist. Let me tell you what’s up….” I have never actually said to anyone that what they said was racist because I know that is like pouring gasoline on the fire (for me) and probably would make any of my professors squirm in their seats as they try to calm the situation. I only once sent a message to a professor in my first second year online class to let her know that what my peers were saying was racist and that if we were to actually say this about any other race, it would not be tolerated. So I am stifling discussion? Who cares? Reading things like that the reason Indigenous people experienced poverty or unemployment at much higher rates than any other Canadian was because of *gasp* that WE were less developed, and not just socially, culturally, but also physically. Yes, I had a peer once suggest that it was because we maybe had smaller brains. I think he had a small brain himself. I don’t really know. 

When I think of my Indigenous peers who are also in my shoes, and who may be like me (get all flustered when you hear/read racist bullshit), just realize that you have all the experience and capabilities to counter such statements. You have lived experience. You have all the knowledge that the textbooks and old, white men forget to include in their publications to say “Hey, wait a minute…” And I found it was best to use that knowledge and experience to give me the upper hand in discussions/papers/etc, and I encourage all of my Indigenous peers to not be shy or scared to say what really matters because you will only leave class feeling more frustrated and discouraged about education. It will hurt, and you will cry (again, if you are anything like me) either in class or after class or when you get home, but in the end, you will be the one that is being noticed by the professor(s)/educator(s). And that is important in setting yourself apart from the rest! 

So go take on the world and be your awesomely fabulous Indigenous self! 

 

*Yes I know my Canadian is showing. 

#OMFG #LSATs

Uncategorized, , Leave a comment

Well, I did it. I wrote the LSATs as of 830am today. Actually, okay it was more like I began writing at 9:00am after all the prep work to begin the test and all the rules you have to listen to and follow. It was pretty intense. I can’t write about what was on the test because that’s against the rules and I could get in some major doo-doo for that. No for real doe. If you want to see what the test is like, go check out one of the practice tests online or a prep-test book from the bookstore (warning: some of them are also expensive if you buy them brand-spankin-new). 

All I have to say is that I wish I started prep work earlier. I did start prep work during the summer but I was working a major hella-busy/awesomo job out west and had to also make sure that was a success because the kids deserved it! If this were a game (because that was a piece of advice I received was to think the test is a game–wtf!), I would have zero points for opening the prep book in June of 2013 even though I bought it in December 2012. Um yeah. My point is don’t wait to start on that LSAT prep, kiddies.

I am keeping my hopes up though. You know, just for sake of keeping my hopes up because I have absolutely no idea how I did. No really doe. No. Idea. Someone suggested that I might want to take a course if I don’t get a good mark. You know how much those things cost? Anywhere from 500+. That’s like rent. No thanks. I will just work harder at prep work…next time. But like I said, keeping my hopes *fingers crossed* so there won’t be a next time. 

From the time I returned back to Ontario and finished reading that huge ass prep-book, and actually got around to doing some tests, it was literally 3-4 weeks away. I tried. I cried. I also swore a lot.

Now is the waiting game on when I actually receive my score back. For now…. I will return back to blogging, studying, and running!

Ps. My brain hurts.

Young Women’s Empowerment Project: Bad Encounter Line (2012)

Uncategorized View all 2 comments

A participatory research action project on how youth in the sex trade and street economy are turned away from the systems meant to help [them] and what [they] are doing to fight back:

Directly from the report (source):

Three main findings included…

1. Institutional violence made individual violence worse. This means that when girls experienced things like rape or assault and then tried to get help, systems often did more harm to us. An example of this is a girl not being believed or a girl being arrested when she is trying to file a report for rape.

2. We are DENIED HELP from institutions both passively and actively. This means that some systems are set up to fail us because they are too complicated or because we are simply told that we cannot access help because we are involved in the sex trade or street economy.

3. Resilience is a stepping stone to resistance. This means that the more we take care of ourselves or heal, the more we have the power to fight back. We heal through breaking isolation and building community, by soothing ourselves with art, meditation, reading, baths and more. We fight back and resist violence by building critical awareness and recognizing that oppression plays an important role in our experiences. We fight back by speaking out and standing up for ourselves and our community. Harm reduction is a life philosophy that we use to resist violence. It’s more than just using a condom—it means
learning to put our safety and healing first. We saw over and over again that girls are excited and inspired about making changes and practicing self care. We now have proof that unconventional resilience methods are a stepping stone to resistance.