This is unfortunate to hear, and I couldn't agree with you more. Thanks for sharing it. You should definitely write that letter!
My job right now is working with aboriginal people and, as a white girl, I am always trying so hard to listen and learn and respect, to be soooo mindful of my privilege. But just yesterday I got all excited about taking a workshop on native plants and asked my supervisor if they could pay my registration fee. All he asked was: "is the native plant workshop taught by native people?" and right, of course, it WASN'T because I didn't think of it -- I don't have to think of it because of my privilege. I was definitely humbled... it's a learning process!
(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-28 01:02 am (UTC)My job right now is working with aboriginal people and, as a white girl, I am always trying so hard to listen and learn and respect, to be soooo mindful of my privilege. But just yesterday I got all excited about taking a workshop on native plants and asked my supervisor if they could pay my registration fee. All he asked was: "is the native plant workshop taught by native people?" and right, of course, it WASN'T because I didn't think of it -- I don't have to think of it because of my privilege. I was definitely humbled... it's a learning process!