#socioeconomicprivilege

[privilegedwords]

The subway is a great equalizer. It is the one place in the city where people of all backgrounds can sit next to each other, share stories as equals and learn from each other.

Breaking news: 30-second verbal exchange on the Blue line interrupted by moments of awkward eye contact solves racism.

[privilegedwords]

The entire fucking green lifestyles movement.

Because nothing yells privilege like condescendingly telling people to adopt a consumerist approach to being "sustainable".

Because it's only sustainable, progressive and cool when white people do it. When people of color are sustainable out of necessity, we consider it low-class, backwards, and undeveloped.

Because this.

[privilegedwords]

Gilbert to women: "...the industrialized modern western world is the best environment women have ever had — the best and only shot we ever got at full personhood."

Translation: Only white people are capable of thinking about and fighting for freedom, liberation, equal rights and justice. 

Because this.

[privilegedwords]

Gilbert to women: "There has never been a better moment in human history than RIGHT NOW to be a woman."

I'd bet a pretty penny that Gilbert has never read about the roles and statuses of women in goddess-worshipping, indigenous societies of the past. As Gloria Steinem said at the 2011 Bioneers Conference, "Democracy was not invented in Greece. It was invented in Native America."

Because this.

[privilegedwords]

Gilbert to women: "Get out of your own way."

In other news, environmentalists tell polar bears to get out of their own way if they want to survive melting ice caps, because, you know, all legal and economic barriers to fighting global warming have been cleared.

Because this.

[privilegedwords]

Lead a sustainable lifestyle by consuming less and conserving resources.

"Lead" and "lifestyle" imply choice, which implies the ability NOT to lead a sustainable lifestyle. People in poverty don't have a choice but to consume less, but they do not get the sustainability cred they deserve.

[privilegedwords]

Chua to America: If you want to be successful, believe that your culture is superior, that you are not good enough yet, and you must be willing to delay gratification.

In other news, dolphins explain why they're better than you at being dolphins. Hint: It's a triple package of fins, blowhole, and willingness to delay coming up for air every 30 seconds.

Because this.

[privilegedwords]

I focus only on my art. I try not to get political.

I'm so glad that your life is sheltered enough from social issues that your art can be as self-centered as it wants.