Thursday, September 1, 2011

What a Privilege

It's easy to be like everyone else. I have always been drawn to those who think outside of the box; the underdogs and the social pariahs. I do not understand how people--who know nothing of being anything other than "normal"-- feel the right to condescend to those who deviate from the norm. For example, if a heterosexual says that homosexuals should not marry or adopt. What gives them the right to speak on behalf of homosexuals? Do they even realize that it is the stigmatization of homosexuals that has granted them such a privilege to make that statement and be met with laws and other forms of agreement that is strongly in favor of heterosexuals? 

Here are the major systems: capitalism, racism and homophobism. In order to be successful--regardless of race or sexual orientation, one must become successful at capitalism. From what I have experienced, once someone has so much money, race is no longer an issue. If a woman marries a man outside of her race, she may receive backlash from her friends, family, society and so on; but, if that man is a doctor, professional athlete or in another profession that pays well, the stigma will be lessened. 

If someone is a homosexual but works in an industry that allows her to make a lot of money, then she, also, will be seen as green. I use the expression because my brother once stated that "when you have so much money they no longer see you as White or Black, they see you as Green." Capitalists love green. They cater to money and if you have money, you are regarded as worthy of the best treatment.

Quantas Airways recently posted a picture of two men in Blackface on twitter and thought it was funny. This is a great example of how racism benefits one group and not the other. One race can laugh at racist jokes, use racial slurs and discriminate against another because racism has worked that well and continues to work in their favor. 

Systems will continue to strengthen if we do not come to the realization that we are in them. I do not feel that one always has to side with the underdog but I think that both arguments merit attention. Pity is also a form of stigmatization and I try to find myself not pitying anyone; instead, I try to help. 

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