Conversations on Privilege

Race, Gender, Womxn’s Health, Social Media, etc.

Nairobi Hilaire

@melanin.monro @two.point.art

How would you describe the privilege of non-POC individuals in terms of self-representation through social media?

I believe that we are in a more self-expressive era than ever before. Social media is inspiring an autonomy in individuals that effects how they wish to be represented in a pseudo-public sphere. The only difference is that non-POC groups are now in closer contact with true POC culture than ever before; the HOW-TOs that we often circulate within our own community. There are more examples than one of these non-POC individuals feeling privy or entitled to don these HISTORICALLY BLACK AND BROWN CULTURE MARKERS. i.e. “laying edges”. Although more open and free culture-based conversations ideally would result in an increase of cross-cultural intellectual sharing, this STOPS being the ideal, this STOPS being okay when one culture (white individuals) has historically (if not, entirely) centered their own culture around the theft and violation of POC cultures.

Do you see the implications of social media as more ‘pro’ or ‘con’ for womxn as a community?

When used correctly, a pro. For the first time, we now have connection and communication channels between distant people at the tips of our fingertips; instantaneously. How are we using it to perpetuate love over hate, acceptance over expectations, growth over decay?

In what cases, if at all, do you feel it is ‘appropriate’ to ‘call out’ someone? What should the ideal approach to this conversation be? Is there one?

I believe if you feel as if you or your people were called out by the act then it is appropriate. And your people may be an expansive term because I believe that includes all the people that have your love and you have theirs. Education should be free. If you see somebody that is misusing their autonomy, then education should not be repudiated.

Has social media influenced/facilitated the acceptance of performative allyship?

I believe that every human WANTS to be good, WANTS to help those in need. Now that we’re aware of mass and constant injustices and we talk about them, the only thing we have left is to DO something. Politeness in the way of progress is problematic. Apathy in the way of progress is problematic. So I believe performative allyship is a sign that people want to help but now there needs to be a revolutionary few that create spaces and places for DOING something. This must become the norm.

In what ways has the increased incorporation of social media into daily life redefined ‘femininity?’ Has it made breaking away from “what is expected/accepted” in terms of self-representation & expression more or less difficult?

Rule #1, expect nothing. Rule #2, accept nature. There is a quote that Maya Angelou cites: ‘Homo sum, humani nil a me alienum puto. I am a human being, nothing human can be alien to me.’ Human nature is human nature and in our nature is homosexuality, there is queer and trans expression, there is unity among races perceived as different. Donning another individual’s skin as if it is your own is quite another thing though. It stops being self-expression and almost reverses the aggressive need to assimilate that so many POC communities were forced to do in earlier times. Black women used to hot-comb/perm their hair to be accepted into white spaces. Now as the culture/power pendulum swings in favor of POC, white people feel a need to assimilate to be seen as talented, beautiful etc. This only perpetuates a neverending game of catch up when in reality, we are all beautiful naturally. And in earnest, black and brown people have been the basis of culture and economy since the birth of this country. Yet for the first time, less and less do we need a white man to give his seal of approval for profits to be procured.

Lyn Slater

@iconaccidental

In your astounding career, how have you witnessed and experienced privilege interacting with society?

Mainly in the way that privilege becomes institutionalized in laws, education, social and health services and that consistently non-privileged groups have disparate outcomes.

In your opinion, how do you think white guilt interacts with white privilege?

Usually, people who are having these conversations are very caring. When they become aware of privilege it makes them feel guilty because they do care about others. Guilt is a useless emotion. It is better to accept the privilege you have in any situation and learn how to use it to become an ally to someone who may not have it.

What are the circumstances that we can create that give us the capacity to have the conversation on privilege? How and where can we have this conversation?

It is always challenging to have conversations about privilege. People need to feel safe to take the kind of risks that go along with talking about this topic and it always makes people feel guilty and then they get defensive. The key is you have to accept who you are and be okay with it. Modeling a facilitator who has done their homework on this topic is one technique that could be helpful.

Regarding the current way we think about privilege, does it work to help individuals understand the concept? What are some of the pluses and negatives of how we currently think about privilege?

I think that positionality is a more inviting way to have these conversations along with the idea that power is fluid and even if one is privileged so to speak, they may not have the means or opportunity to act on it. You can be powerful in one situation and oppressed in another. Positionality is also fluid and changes across a lifespan as well as by certain situations.

Ellie Kim

@elliegracekim

As a young woman of color entering a creative field, have you noticed your experience is different than your non- POC peers?

Out of the 6 internships I’ve had in creative realms so far, 5 of my bosses have been white. While I have looked up to and respected all of them, this fact has shaped my career goals and perspective of the fashion industry. There are barely any Asians or any people of color in major leadership positions within the industry, and that is something I plan on changing. I want every girl to know that she can achieve whatever she puts her mind to, and I also want to catalyze an inclusive and diverse fashion environment for my industry’s future. I have been fortunate enough to not be treated differently from my white peers thus far, and my internship now greatly celebrates diversity.

How is the concept of being ‘color blind’ harmful?

The concept of being ‘color blind’ is harmful because it discounts the beauty that comes in differences. We are all unique and have different stories to tell—and by ignoring race, we ignore identity.

How does being a WOC affect how you present yourself? Do you feel a certain pressure in regard to your identity?

Being a WOC makes me proud. My Koreanness is such an important part of my identity, and it helps me carry myself with confidence and dignity. I don’t feel pressure in regard to my identity, but I think that’s because I am half white. No one has ever held me to Asian stereotypes, which I think are what would have put pressure on my identity. But, it may also have been the liberal environment I have been raised in.

What is the first step necessary in order to understand privilege?

Things just like this. We need to start discussions and discuss privilege with each other. Without speaking, we can’t learn, and without learning, we can’t enact change.

Frankie Ciannavei

@wtfrankie_

“can you check me?”

I have never had to choose between buying tampons or food, or missed class because I didn’t have access to menstrual products. If something feels wrong with my body, I can go to a doctor. I have period privilege. Like many privileges, those with period privilege often don’t realize, or refuse to acknowledge, that their situation is not the norm. But period inequality forces too many people around the world to jeopardize their education, work, and health every month.

“why are you taking your bag to the bathroom?”

Different cultures and communities view menstruation with varying degrees of respect, from seeing periods as purifying and sacred to dirty and isolating. In the United States, periods have long been regarded as shameful and something to remain silent about. In the last few years, there has been a growing “#PeriodPositive” movement on social media, with the goal of eliminating the stigma around periods by normalizing conversations and images about menstruation. While posts with the hashtag raise awareness about period positivity, it’s important to understand where the necessity for this movement comes from and who it affects.

“my boyfriend/dad/brother would never buy me pads!”

Period inequality comes in many different forms and is oppressive socially, physically, fiscally, and environmentally, with many of these oppressions intersecting. Menstrual products are not covered by social assistance programs in the United States. Some states tax menstrual products as “luxury items.” Some country’s sanitation systems don’t provide proper methods of disposal for menstrual products. Pads, tampons, and tampon applicators end up in oceans and landfills. Menstrual products contain harmful toxins. Periods are still used to dismiss a woman’s emotions or define womanhood.

“why isn’t it blue, like in the commercials!?”

It’s disheartening that so many people, young and old, don’t understand the biology behind menstruation. Being confused about what is normal and abnormal for your body can lead to embarrassment and health issues. Women’s pain often goes untreated, by themselves or medical professionals. Some women will suffer for years with undiagnosed conditions, like endometriosis or ovarian cysts, because they’re never taught that excruciating pain is not the same as normal discomfort. Even worse, doctors have a history of assuming their female patients, especially women of color, are exaggerating the severity of their symptoms.

“blood coming out of her wherever”

Just like all other movements for gender equality, the push for period positivity needs to be intersectional and inclusive. Menstruating doesn’t make someone a woman, nor does one have to be a woman to menstruate. The issue of menstrual health affects a wide range of individuals around the world, not just cisgender women. Often, period inequality effects those who’re already ignored by society, like individuals who are homeless or incarcerated. It’s crucial to acknowledge that for white women who don’t struggle financially, being period positive can be a privilege within itself. Some may want to take part in period positive movements, but feel like they can’t, because of how they will be perceived. For those who are able to do so without jeopardizing their health and safety, there are many ways to practice “period positivity:”

What you can do for yourself:

• Research menstrual products to figure out what you’re most comfortable with (alternatives to pads and tampons that can be more budget and environmentally-friendly include period underwear, menstrual cups, etc.)

• Educate yourself on menstrual health

• Participate in “#PeriodPositive” on social media

• Support organizations and individuals that promote period positivity

• Embrace, don’t shame

What you can do for others:

• Talk to your school/work about providing free menstrual products in all bathrooms

• Hold a drive for menstrual products to donate to local shelters

• Educate others on menstrual health

• Embrace, don’t shame

Lola Love

@love_lola_rae

Do you see the implications of social media as more ‘pro’ or ‘con’ for womxn as a community?

Honestly a con, in a lot of ways. It can still seem like we have to meet so many attainable standards that healthy human beings cannot attain. No matter what it is, whether it is a beautiful ad or music video, there really is almost always some sort of detectable message or one moment in which womxn are represented in a questionable way. Even if it’s held in the back of your head, it is a consistency, and then that becomes a norm. And that is what freaks me out.

In what ways has social media affected how individuals express their identity?

[Social media] is not the same as it used to be. At the start, maybe it did serve as a genuine platform to express yourself. Now, though, there are so many companies that really have come to rely on it for their marketing, and that influences so much of what we see.

For example, plus size modeling has been on the back burner for a long time and even if it is blowing up now (particularly on Instagram), it is impossible for most to succeed unless they know people in the industry or have money. It can seem like there is a pressure that you have to surround yourself with people with visibility to make your career happen.

Using social media really has become a competition to look like you know people and that can make people try to achieve this same ‘ideal.’ It used to be really just a way to share pictures, but it’s really become some other shit.

Naicha Mercier

@bbymercier

How can individuals use their source of privilege to create change?

Being vocal without speaking over POC is one of the first of many steps. Many times supporters may want to use their position to evoke change, but can easily overshadow the people they are trying to aid. Also, it is important to be a person of action in more than just words. In addition to speaking up for necessary change, it is also important to know when to take a step back and decline certain roles in order to push the entire industry forward. There are many times we see actors or artists speak up for certain platforms, yet they take on roles that would aid POC, LGBTQ+, the disabled, and various communities.

If you could offer one takeaway for any individuals of privilege reading this series, what would it be?

Individuals must learn to embrace how uncomfortable it can be to talk about racial, social issues. Change cannot be made by simply ignoring an issue, you must be willing to be put in situations that are outside of your comfort zone and prepare to be a listener. Just as change does not happen overnight, becoming a genuine ally takes times. But by going out of your way to further recognize where POC. come from, it can help develop a better understanding in how you can help change the community.

In the future, what would you like to see for the advancement of WOC?

I would like to see WOC congratulated for their art and not simply because they are a WOC making art. WOC should feel as if they are receiving praise for content before anything else.

When I make art, I never want to be roped into a specific category. I don’t want to be glorified for simply being a black content creator. I am very proud of my blackness and there is no doubt it has influenced my art. But I also want people to be aware my work may not always be created to touch certain communities but instead, simply created to impact those involved.

Olivia Toups

@babyface_banshee

How would you describe the privilege of white/non-POC individuals in terms of self-representation through social media?

All of social media involves packaging yourself and branding, but I feel that white people are more easily able to/free to represent themselves in a way that people will find consumable. People of color have the additional burden of packaging themselves in a way that is palatable, particularly for the white audience. In order to gain the same status, POC often have to represent themselves in a way that’s digestible or that doesn’t make [white people] uncomfortable.

In what ways has the increased incorporation of social media into daily life redefined ‘femininity?’ Has it made breaking away from “what is expected/accepted” in terms of self-representation more or less difficult?

Men are taken more seriously than womxn and femmes, no matter what they look like. Womxn and femmes are taken more seriously when they’re conventionally pretty, or package themselves in a way that’s attractive. The idea of having to post selfies in addition to your art to keep your following or ‘likes’ is evidence of this.

Success only comes with rebranding and choosing a box that is appealing to everyone. The majority of female/female-identifying creatives who are famous or successful on Instagram have to be pretty and smart. Compare this to men on the Internet, who many times do not have to talk about personal things or experiences, or assert an attractive appearance. He just has to show he has a brain and his intellectual contributions are considered ‘enough.’ Whereas we are largely expected to seem pretty all the time and be willing to share that in addition to our work to meet this expectation. In order to be taken seriously or to be understood as multifaceted, we have to/are expected to be willing to expose all these parts of ourselves and on a frequent, regular basis.

Has social media influenced facilitated the acceptance of performative allyship?

A lot of people who are liberal/socially progressive and are trying to align themselves with ‘being woke’ or whatever, have the privilege of doing so only on the occasion they feel compelled to, or in ways that are more complacent or easily digestible. Media platforms may value social justice as a whole, but it is a rigged game. People who are actually affected by certain issues can express their views on these platforms, yet someone that is pretty (or creates aesthetically pleasing) content can only engage with the same issues on a surface level but will be given more attention. A lot of people can feel like social justice warriors and social media makes it easy to become that. Your entire brand can revolve around feminism or a commitment to social justice but social media makes it so you do not have to really talk about difficult or uncomfortable things.

Additionally, those who have platforms on social media can sometimes appear to have reached this state of completion, which is not true. The systems of racism and misogyny interact in so many ways that you could spend a lifetime dedicated to untangling these relationships. For any of us to think we have completely untangled how these aspects affect our subconscious prejudices is egotistical. We cannot act like we are done doing the work. No one has ever finished doing work on themselves or on the people around them.

In what cases, if at all, do you feel it is ‘appropriate’ to ‘call out’ someone? What should the ideal approach to this conversation be? Is there one?

It is complicated in terms of who you are, but when you do have the privilege of having white skin, the burden is on you. Your voice is taken more seriously than others in many contexts. But that is not to say that it is okay to use that privilege to speak over someone. The voices and experiences of those most acutely affected should always be considered most highly and at the forefront of dialogue. But when you have the occasion or opportunity to say something, it is your burden. At the same time, if you are using a movement that doesn’t necessarily affect or pertain to you [as a white person], you need to be tactful. That requires a certain amount of care and an effort to be informed, and listening as much as you speak.

We are two white women. We recognize that the experiences of individuals who are most acutely affected by certain oppressive facets are the most valid. We acknowledge and aim to respect the space of many truths within this dialogue.

In this series, we explore gendered and racialized traditions of privilege—and their translation into the sociocultural landscape of the Internet and social media platforms—by having womxn and individuals of color share their experiences and opinions.

We aim to catalyze reflection about the realms we inhabit and the ways our multifaceted intersections of identity afford and constrict us with the opportunity to have a voice in social dialogue, be it online or in real life.

Pay attention to any feelings of discomfort that arose as you looked through this series and learned about the facets of oppression, as those feelings often point to the sources of your own privilege. Examine this, understand it, and go forward with this newfound realization by making space for those that are oppressed by a system that supports you.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for reflecting.

Emma & Teresa

by Emma Childs @emmachilds4 & Teresa Travnicek @teresatravnicek @sweet.t.archiv