A little while back, Pat Ogden, PhD was talking about resentment, and she made a key distinction.
You see, there’s resentment that stems from an event that is now over. But then there’s resentment fueled by something that’s ongoing – like systemic oppression.
So how does this impact the way she works, particularly with members of marginalized communities who continue to suffer systemic injustice?
In the video below, Pat will get into why she addresses her white privilege head on with clients from marginalized communities, and share the exact language she uses – with two very important cautions. Have a listen.
Now we’d like to hear from you. What are your biggest takeaways from the video? Please let us know with a comment below.
Hi
I have just watch your session in the embodiment summit and thought I would check out your website. I watched this film as I acknowledged that my body feels very defensive when thinking about white privilege. I will be thinking about that to further, to explore and further understand my bodies response and emotional response to this which I believe is the first step so thank you for posting this 🙂
I think if you think your better than other people then that’s your choice, and that’s what privilege is.
Here in North London most of us get on with each other. I think if the presenter thinks she’s better than others because of all sorts of things she needs to chat to someone. Here in London white men over 50 are the minority, have less access to housing, work and are on the lowest incomes. Strangely politicians do nothing to help, and no one marches or outraged by this. Oh and this group doesn’t riot, loot shops or attack people or blame black people.
Having lived in North London and seen racism – individual and institutional – in action (I am white by the way) I would beg to defer that everybody gets on. Acknowledging privilege which has been conferred by the institutions within which we live and work does not equate to thinking you are better than someone else. There are all sorts of other privilege – and disadvantage- which have nothing to do with race and colour but acknowledging the privilege of whiteness is not a bad thing!
Jealousy is corrosive, the idea of white priv seeds feelings of jealousy. lack of candor(e.g., I only see your humanity) makes it worse. You have to admit to yourself that you worked your ass off over the years to reach your current position, and your whiteness had very little to do with it since most of your competition on the way up was probably white (although probably not as bright as you).
There are plenty of poor whites whose whiteness did not and does not help them compete in life.
Being smart, willing to work hard and getting educated not necessarily whiteness makes the difference.
I respectfully disagree. We do not “work our ass off” in a vacuum. Systemic racism is a living condition for people of color. The stress factor alone puts black people at a disadvantage, wouldn’t you agree? The “hard work” argument is just another white code insinuating that people of color are lazy.
Very insightful and helpful.
Thank you.