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| From Survival International |
My friend and colleague Professor EJ David has created the #KnowYourPrivilegeChallenge and I've accepted that challenge. Essentially the challenge, unlike the ice-bucket challenge, isn't about dumping cold water on your head and being goofy for a great cause like ALS, this challenge is about examining ourselves and our life situations and acknowledging the privileges afforded to us. This challenge is about recognizing the inequality that exists in our society at so many levels.
As a part of this challenge I am supposed to name three privileges I have thanks to my identity and then name and donate to a non-profit or organization working to address the inequality that exists due to that privilege.
I am fortunate that Dr. David chose to limit this challenge to just three privileges, because as a white male America, it is far to easy to recognize the obvious fact that I could never name all the privileges given to me due to me just being born! So here we go with just three!
1. WHITE MALE AUTHOR ----- this is me. There is no escaping this truth, no matter how much time I spend out in the midnight sun of Alaska. I write. I am a Caucasian male. For centuries the publishing world has smiled upon the bearded pale faces such as my own. I don't need to name names, right? The publishing world is still dominated by males, males get published more, make more, get more reviews, etc. My friend, best-selling author Jodi Picoult has been vocal about this. The opportunities for writers of color are even fewer and farther between.
So the first organization I will donate to is the Voices of Our Nation Arts Foundation (VONA). Founded in 1999 by Elmaz Abinader, Junot Díaz, Victor Díaz and Diem Jone, Vona's mission is to develop emerging writers of color through programs and workshops taught by established writers of color.
2. EMPLOYED WITH HEALTH INSURANCE
--- I've got a job that comes with health insurance. Both of these are
privileges. The job helps me eat and be able to afford a safe and warm
place to live here in Alaska, and along with the job I have the benefit
of an insurance policy that provides me health insurance. So many people
in our country and around the world don't have any of these privileges.
One of my favorite Alaskan organization helping people in the most
basic of medical care on the other side of the globe is the Alaska Sudan Medical Project.
Friends and former students have traveled to Sudan to help people
suffering in one of the most remote and impoverished regions of the
globe. A simple glance at their website and a peek at what they are
doing will help you appreciate many of the very basic privileges you
yourself have by the very virtue of your reading about this challenge! I will be donating to the Alaska Sudan Medical Project.
3. MEMBER OF "CIVILIZED" SOCIETY --- our western, first world, mindset is that we are civilized, other poorer countries are "developing," and that if any tribal or indigenous groups remain they are "primitive" or "uncivilized." Only a handful of small tribal societies continue to exist on our planet. I am privileged that my way of life and entire existence as a human being isn't threatened by genocide, disease, or assimilation in the way these small pockets of humanity are. We must do all that we can to protect these tribal people. So many of the very privileges we enjoy have come at the cost of tribal people for the past ten thousand years, and it is time we recognize their plight and do all we can to ensure their protection; therefor, I will be donating to Survival International, an organization dedicated to protecting the lives, land, and futures of tribal people around the world.
Passing along the #KnowYourPrivilegeChallenge --- I challenge the following individuals to take this unique challenge! No ice or cold water necessary! Tiffany Zulkosky, Libby Roderick, Professor Ron Tavernier, Andre Jacobs, Professor Meilin Chinn, and Ariel Tweto --- as well as any other friends, family, or colleagues who are willing to examine the inequality and privileges that come with their identity! Join us in the challenge!
Quyana! (Yup'ik for "thanks!)
Don
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