James Baldwin
“Any real change implies the breakup of the world as one has always known it, the loss of all that gave one an identity, the end of safety. And at such a moment, unable to see and not daring to imagine what the future will now bring forth, one clings to what one knew, or dreamed that one possessed. Yet, it is only when a man is able, without bitterness or self-pity, to surrender a dream he has long cherished or a privilege he has long possessed that he is set free — he has set himself free — for higher dreams, for greater privileges.”
--James Baldwin
--James Baldwin
Audre Lorde
“I was going to die, sooner or later, whether or not I had even spoken myself. My silences had not protected me.
"I began to ask each time: 'What's the worst that could happen to me if I tell this truth?' Once you start to speak, people will yell at you. They will interrupt you, put you down and suggest it's personal. And the world won't end.
"And the speaking will get easier and easier. And you will find you have fallen in love with your own vision, which you may never have realized you had. And you will lose some friends and lovers, and realize you don't miss them. And new ones will find you and cherish you. And at last you'll know with surpassing certainty that only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth. And that is not speaking.” --Audre Lorde
"I began to ask each time: 'What's the worst that could happen to me if I tell this truth?' Once you start to speak, people will yell at you. They will interrupt you, put you down and suggest it's personal. And the world won't end.
"And the speaking will get easier and easier. And you will find you have fallen in love with your own vision, which you may never have realized you had. And you will lose some friends and lovers, and realize you don't miss them. And new ones will find you and cherish you. And at last you'll know with surpassing certainty that only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth. And that is not speaking.” --Audre Lorde
Privilege offers us material comfort and safety, but it does not offer us the liberation we need.
How can privilege be harnessed in the movement for collective liberation?
Risk something. The greatest risk is that of internal change and deprogramming the seductive grooves of privilege that the American power structure would have me accept as natural and deserved.
Privilege reduces risks and increases safety. So what would it mean for a straight, White, cisgender male, tall, thin, able-bodied, English-speaking US citizen with class privilege to take risks?
How can privilege be harnessed in the movement for collective liberation?
Risk something. The greatest risk is that of internal change and deprogramming the seductive grooves of privilege that the American power structure would have me accept as natural and deserved.
Privilege reduces risks and increases safety. So what would it mean for a straight, White, cisgender male, tall, thin, able-bodied, English-speaking US citizen with class privilege to take risks?
My name is Abraham Lateiner and this blog documents my journey towards collective liberation. My intent is to speak to other people with privilege of different forms, particularly men with class privilege and White privilege. Our American system of privilege and oppression is enabled and maintained by the suffering of all people and our environment. As someone born into the role of storm trooper for the empire, I am committed to using my weapons to dismantle the empire I was born into, not just out of a sense of morality or guilt, but because my own freedom will require it. .
But many of us are used to hiding their privileges out of guilt and/or fear (of being judged, or being taken advantage of).
Does that sound like you? Then I hope you'll read on.
But many of us are used to hiding their privileges out of guilt and/or fear (of being judged, or being taken advantage of).
Does that sound like you? Then I hope you'll read on.