re: #789 The Ghost of a Flea

Independent of politics, there’s a state of unacknowledged priveledge that is always reactionary. While America was never de facto a colonial power, our construction of identity has had many features in common with those of the colonial superpowers. These assumptions about our own moral clarity, our position to dictate to others with legitimate ethical authority, and our exceptionality within the world color all sides of our politics.

Yeah that’s what the 17 Black conservatives of the world and the rest of us have in common and snicker together about behind the backs of the majority. Nobody goes by that. We have our own standards of authenticity, definitely contested, none set in stone, often based in politics; but at the end of the day, everybody shows up to the other parent’s kid’s piano recitals and breaks bread together.

As for unacknowledged — I call it “unearned” — privilege, that extends beyond class, education level, and color. It’s sexuality, perceived ability, gender, religion, all manner of things. The early 70s Disability Rights movement had a placard..”I can’t even get ON the bus” let alone to the g.d. back of the bus.