My immediate reaction to this was Dalton in Dead Poet's Society "Exercising the right not to walk." As you say, exercising a right is often more of a privilege and the option is not always there for all.
Whether it be colour, creed, social status, there are those that, for whatever reason, have to work harder just to achieve parity, run faster just to stay still — saying or doing nothing is not an option.
Luis makes a very good point about categorisation, if feels self-defeating: in order to ensure inclusivity we only emphasise the divisions in a numbers game rather than elevate all.
The utopian ideal is for everyone to be recognised purely on merit irrespective of classification but, in our present society, the cries of colour-blindness, etc. add to the confusion. "You shall recognise my colour/race/religion..." — the right for acknowledgment is a different ballgame altogether but one that complicates matters, especially for lefty cheerleaders.
It's hard to imagine a route from where we are to the utopian ideal that not only pleases all but gets us there with the least amount of friction. An equal right to say or do nothing is a long way off.
That resonates with me in a personal level. I was discussing this week with a group about intake/survey forms and the main question was how to inclusively categorize/address minority groups and collect information about them. And to me, it is not only about how to frame it, the fact that I have to check a box saying I'm an immigrant or latino or POC doesn't sit well with me. I still can't quite articulate why. Maybe it is because I see as a person, not that particular identity, or maybe it is because I have extra work to do if I'm a minority filling a form, which exposes me and makes things harder for me.
There is also the numbing effect. You say something so many time that is not news anymore and people stop caring about tragic realities.
And lastly, it makes me think about the information society we are living. The more information they (state or private corporations) have about you, the more control and manipulation they are able to create.
My immediate reaction to this was Dalton in Dead Poet's Society "Exercising the right not to walk." As you say, exercising a right is often more of a privilege and the option is not always there for all.
Whether it be colour, creed, social status, there are those that, for whatever reason, have to work harder just to achieve parity, run faster just to stay still — saying or doing nothing is not an option.
Luis makes a very good point about categorisation, if feels self-defeating: in order to ensure inclusivity we only emphasise the divisions in a numbers game rather than elevate all.
The utopian ideal is for everyone to be recognised purely on merit irrespective of classification but, in our present society, the cries of colour-blindness, etc. add to the confusion. "You shall recognise my colour/race/religion..." — the right for acknowledgment is a different ballgame altogether but one that complicates matters, especially for lefty cheerleaders.
It's hard to imagine a route from where we are to the utopian ideal that not only pleases all but gets us there with the least amount of friction. An equal right to say or do nothing is a long way off.
I have nothing to say in response to this. And that’s ok.
That resonates with me in a personal level. I was discussing this week with a group about intake/survey forms and the main question was how to inclusively categorize/address minority groups and collect information about them. And to me, it is not only about how to frame it, the fact that I have to check a box saying I'm an immigrant or latino or POC doesn't sit well with me. I still can't quite articulate why. Maybe it is because I see as a person, not that particular identity, or maybe it is because I have extra work to do if I'm a minority filling a form, which exposes me and makes things harder for me.
There is also the numbing effect. You say something so many time that is not news anymore and people stop caring about tragic realities.
And lastly, it makes me think about the information society we are living. The more information they (state or private corporations) have about you, the more control and manipulation they are able to create.