Help
Studlock, on 30 December 2012 - 03:11 PM, said:
It's been a couple complicated days for me because of own drive to stop people from being racist/sexist/homophobic asshats in public.
I've come to learn this endeavor is absolutely wasted time. You cannot change the world (or even your country, city, town or even STREET) one person at a time. You can go out of your way to make a bigger splash in the "I have a voice, and here's why you should listen to me" pool if you like...that would be good...but trying to force people not to be a certain way...that's just not doing anyone least of all yourself, any good. Make YOU a better person, and worry less about the asshat strangers in public. (Though if some douche hit on my friend and after a rebuffing didn't leave well enough alone...then I'd see a reason to hit 'em)
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The amount of people who say first-world/white-people problems like people who live in a third-world/non-white people don't have to deal with mundane bullshit like wanting a kindle instead of another e-reader or something. Turns out mostly every country in the world has a middle-class that does indeed deal with mundane problems, it isn't all starving African children and run-down shanty towns. (this is not a response to board members but some people I know)
A number of people can't quite grasp that fact. I usually point out the distinct excess in wealthier parts of Hong Kong or Singapore with the downtrodden parts like Shanghai...still people love to throw that phrase you used out there for their arguments in the hopes that it will somehow stamp people down with some feigned finality. Ignore it. People are dumb and can't grasp that stuff.
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Explaining what white privileged is to a person who has lived in a house where both parents pull down six-figures wages, has a paid off house and has five different vehicles. The person is not a bad person obviously, but before I explained to what white privileged was I had to explained to him that his family is probably in the top 5-10 percent in Canada was classified as rich thus even on top of his white privileged he was already privileged via his family's wealth (he thought only being a millionaire was seen as being rich!). Honestly I think kids should be told of there privileges in late elementary or early Jr. high
I don't know that anyone needs to be TOLD specifically of their level of privilege...but educated on the difference between the various incomes, and social statuses around the globe, and the difference between poor, middle class and rich. This way they ought to come to their own conclusions when old enough. TELLING kids about privilege almost makes it out to be a "bad" ting...and it's not, they just happen to be born into it. My parents were well off enough when I was young, two cars, a big house ect. but they always made sure we knew that there are many others who don't have those things...and I never forgot that lesson. I think that's the route "We have money to live well son, but there are others who don't have so much.", and not a direct "You're privileged, accept that son!" A fine line, but it's more a parenting choice, and my parents made sure I knew. If your friend was unaware of his social status, then no offense...his parents didn't do a good job raising him. It's not as much on him, as it is on them.
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Coming to terms with when people say "Canada is one of the best Countries in the world!" they usually don't take into account the large amount of well-hidden skeletons in the closest and also coming to terms that a country I always, not only believed, but knew with all my heart was the best place to live had those skeletons in the first place. Added on top of that is my family on the mothers side suffered through residential schools and it fills me with rage/confusion/sadness.
Oh, we all have them. Every country on this planet has skeletons. Bad ones too. They aren't hidden really even well. Canada is no different. Sure we're better than the States, but we've done plenty in our time as we came from the British Empire as well.
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The issue I have had with identity recently, showing signs of being a 'mixed-blood' searching for a past that wasn't mine, trying to be more Cree than modern Cree do. It's a tough thing to deal with.
Be who you are...not who your ancestors were. Be a Canadian with a proud native heritage that you support and educate about...but don't forget you are a Canadian first and foremost. The heritage is always going to be there, your family are your link to it. It's not hard to be good and proud of both.
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Also I am pretty sure I becoming an alcoholic at the ripe age of 21 and don't know what to do about. Nothing like living up to stereotypes.
We all go through stages like that. Try not drinking during the week at all, and only allowing yourself on weekends. This will help and what I find works best for me.
