#what is privilege

[eakenvs3000f23]

Privilege and Nature Interpretation

Hey friends!

As I am embraced by nature's serenity, it is revealing that privilege influences even the most pristine environments. Have you ever wondered about how privilege transcends into our relationship with nature? Today I wanted to deliberate on the role “privilege” plays in nature interpretation and enjoyment. 

I believe it is important to acknowledge that privilege varies considerably from person to person as it is shaped by a multitude of factors. Discussing privilege constructively is important, it raises awareness, questions harmful norms, and promotes diversity and inclusivity.

So what is “privilege”? I believe privilege refers to the advantages an individual experiences based on being in the majority demographic group. It does not deny universal struggle. Privilege brings essential awareness to the benefits that are present when an individual aligns with societal norms and power structures. Did you know that a significant percentage of the world's population does not have the opportunity to enjoy nature? It is important to recognize that individuals who find solace in escaping to the outdoors should be aware of the privilege that enables such opportunities. Experiencing nature without usual comforts and the ability to return to the comforts of home are privileges not all have.

In nature interpretation, communication plays a pivotal role in shaping positive nature experiences by sharing knowledge and exhilaration. Yet, language can unintentionally act as a barrier, inadvertently excluding individuals who aren't fluent in the prevailing regional language. This exclusion can have an adverse effect on one's ability to fully embrace and appreciate the experience. To support a more inclusive approach to nature enjoyment and interpretation, there are several practical steps we can take. To begin, we can create nature programs designed to welcome individuals from all language backgrounds, encouraging people to share their individual perspectives. Additionally, engaging with diverse communities through community outreach allows us to seek input on how to improve accessibility. Listening to suggestions is key to making progressive changes within the eco-community. Moreover, offering interpretation services or guides proficient in various languages can significantly enhance the experience for non-native speakers. Lastly, providing multilingual resources, including information, guides, and materials, ensures that nature-related content is accessible to a broader and more diverse audience, ultimately enriching our collective appreciation of the natural world.

Amid individuals' hectic daily routines, time and priority responsibilities often hinder their ability to spend a moment connecting with nature. Consequently, the shortage of time restricts the opportunities for individuals to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and marvels of the environment. To enhance nature enjoyment for all, despite limited time availability, several strategies can make a meaningful difference.First, offering activities at various times during the day and week to cater to diverse schedules is essential. Next, promoting local nature spots with public access ensures that people can connect with nature without extensive travel and travel barriers. Furthermore, active involvement of minority communities in the planning and development of nature-related activities can ensure inclusivity as accessibility challenges are addressed and overcome. Advocacy efforts should focus on policies that support green spaces and strive for equitable access to nature to allow for equal opportunities to enjoy nature.

I would love to chat about other ideas you all have that can help make nature interpretation more inclusive. Thanks for being part of this week's discussion!

Emily

[insummersworld]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD5f8GuNuGQ)

[monkydedward]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD5f8GuNuGQ) 

Questions:

If your parents worked nights and weekends to support your family, take one step back.

If you are able to move through the world without fear of sexual assault, take one step forward.

If you can show affection for your romantic partner in public without fear of ridicule or violence, take one step forward.

If you have ever been diagnosed as having a physical or mental illness/disability, take one step back.

If the primary language spoken in your household growing up was not english the official language of your country, take one step back.

If you came from a supportive family environment take one step forward.

If you have ever tried to change your speech or mannerisms to gain credibility, take one step back.

If you can go anywhere in the country, and easily find the kinds of hair products you need and/or cosmetics that match your skin color, take one step forward.

If you were embarrassed about your clothes or house while growing up, take one step back.

If you can make mistakes and not have people attribute your behavior to flaws in your racial/gender group, take one step forward.

If you can legally marry the person you love, regardless of where you live, take one step forward.

If you were born in the United States your country, take one step forward.

If you or your parents have ever gone through a divorce, take one step back.

If you felt like you had adequate access to healthy food growing up, take one step forward

If you are reasonably sure you would be hired for a job based on your ability and qualifications, take one step forward.

If you would never think twice about calling the police when trouble occurs, take one step forward.

If you can see a doctor whenever you feel the need, take one step forward.

If you feel comfortable being emotionally expressive/open, take one step forward.

If you have ever been the only person of your race/gender/socio-economic status/ sexual orientation in a classroom or workplace setting, please take one step back.

If you took out loans for your education take one step backward.

If you get time off for your religious holidays, take one step forward. 

If you had a job during your high school and college years, take one step back.

If you feel comfortable walking home alone at night, take one step forward.

If you have ever traveled outside the United States your country, take one step forward.

If you have ever felt like there was NOT adequate or accurate representation of your racial group, sexual orientation group, gender group, and/or disability group in the media, take one step back.

If you feel confident that your parents would be able to financially help/support you if you were going through a financial hardship, take one step forward.

If you have ever been bullied or made fun of based on something that you can’t change, take one step back.

If there were more than 50 books in your house growing up, take one step forward.

If you studied the culture or the history of your ancestors in elementary school take one step forward.

If your parents or guardians attended college, take one step forward.

If you ever went on a family vacation, take one step forward.

If you can buy new clothes or go out to dinner when you want to, take one step forward.

If you were ever offered a job because of your association with a friend or family member, take one step forward.

If one of your parents was ever laid off or unemployed not by choice, take one step back.

If you were ever uncomfortable about a joke or a statement you overheard related to your race, ethnicity, gender, appearance, or sexual orientation but felt unsafe to confront the situation, take one step back.

my scor is “step back” 12, stand 17 and “step forward” 6

[sebiartfoto]

What is Privilege?

Steps forward and back in some deep understandings of things.  Starting this video I anticipated the results of two particular demographics: White Males and Black Females.  Very interesting results.

Great sociological exercise for change created by social activists Margo Adair and Sharon Howell.

[thebecausetoyourwhy-blog]

What is Privilege?

"There is a difference between being privileged and a privilege. You can earn a privilege, but being privileged you don't earn. I have two parents that love me--I didn't earn that. I was born in the United States--I didn't earn that. Now because I have parents that love me and because I was born in the United States, I have self-esteem, went to college--I earned that--but the privilege made it a lot easier." 

Doug Harris. The Kaleidoscope Group. 

A response to "I've earned everything I got." Being white is a privilege because it affords you so many more opportunities that you would otherwise not have. Having privilege does not mean that you're a millionaire, but rather you've had advantages that other people haven't had. 

Have another definition of privilege? 

[geekjocktivist]

[thisisthinprivilege]

Is there a difference between thin privilege + fat oppression?

Thin privilege is an institution made possible by fat oppression. Oppression and privilege are two sides of the same coin. When one group with characteristic X is oppressed, groups without characteristic X are privileged by default. That’s not to say groups without characteristic X mightn’t possess other characteristics for which they are oppressed, or that people with characteristic X mightn’t have other characteristics for which they’re oppressed that intersect with and magnify how they’re oppressed for possessing characteristic X. Conversely, someone with privilege Y might be oppressed in other ways that diminishes the positive effects of the oppression they receive for possessing characteristic X.

Basically, this needs to be an infographic. Because we get this question a lot. 

Then of course we get the folks who think that because starving people exist in the world that means there’s no such thing as thin privilege, which is kind of like saying because some countries only let men fight wars that men dying in wars means there’s no such thing as male privilege. (also, the face of starvation mightn't always be a bone-thin person, and those folks are entirely erased by this false equivalency) Oppression and privilege are contextual. They don’t necessarily exist in the same way (or at all) in different societies. Given that oppression and privilege are societal behaviors and not laws of physics, this is pretty obvious, but there’s a lot of (sometimes willful) misunderstanding of this.

-ArteToLife

[thisisthinprivilege]

The convo between the fat person and thinsplainer can honestly go for any type of oppression/privilege case: white privilege, male privilege, etc. Though I know you probably already knew that because you point it out on a lot of things on this blog. I just happened to notice it when I read it.

Yes, true! I really like the general concept of "-splaining," defined as the word-spew that issues from a privileged person's mouth when they're hurt that their privilege has been pointed out, or are upset that the conversation isn't revolving around their perceptions and opinions and experiences for once. 

-artetolife