The Cisgender Privilege Checklist

Earlier this week, I was surfing the internet and came across the Cisgender Privilege Checklist released by Oberlin College. This is so important. We hear about white privilege, class privilege, and male privilege all the time, but too often is the full extent of gender privilege  truly considered. I could not imagine the amount of pain that comes with the feeling of being a prisoner in my own body. It's heartbreaking to think of, and what's worse is that people rarely ever think about it. Really, cisgendered privilege seems to be the redheaded stepchild of privilege discussions. And yet it's something that most of us have. We really need to step it up. Not only should we be more mindful of this privilege, but more active in the way we acknowledge it. The transgender community is so unapologetically discriminated against, if there's any minority group that deserves some extra compassion and empathy, it's them.

We'll dive deeper into cisgendered privilege in some later posts, but for now I highly encourage everyone to read through this checklist as well as this one, posted by ASU's Project Humanities. Both do an excellent job of describing all the bullets most of us dodge as cisgendered folk.

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The Most Heart Breaking Poem You'll Ever Hear

This spoken word poem is proof that we are not beyond racism. The fact that people feel the need to act a specific way because of their race is not only heartbreaking, but shameful evidence that stereotypes affect people more than we think they do. Being smart or ignorant, cruel or kind, honest or dishonest are traits without color. Becoming who we are is never a matter of breaking or adhering to a stereotype. Many like to think this is common sense, but too many are caught unknowingly making assumptions about people they will never get to know. As this poem demonstrates, these assumptions are hurtful and contribute to the greater issue of racial bias that has been especially prevalent in recent events. If we were more mindful of the assumptions we made based on race, could we maybe see these negative effects dissipate? There is no straightforward answer, but it certainly is food for thought.

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The Myth of "Good Bias"

The salience of racial inequality has been always been questioned, perhaps now more than ever. While people are still debating over whether or not racism still exists in a post-segregation era, there is something that most Americans can get behind when discussing racial bias: it's wrong. Call me optimistic, but I'd guess that if I were to pull 10 people from my neighborhood aside and ask them if they thought it was okay to be a racist, they'd probably say no. In a post-slavery, post-segregation society, we know that it is socially unacceptable to judge people based on their nationality, ethnicity, or the color of their skin. We've got it.  Racism is bad.

Well, sometimes racism is bad.

There is good racism. Apparently.

Call me pessimistic,but I'd have to say that if I were to pull 10 people from my neighborhood aside and ask them to lay out both of their hands, I would still not have enough fingers to count the number of times that I have heard somebody make an argument for "good racism." Granted, it's never called racism, but it's the same concept. Racism is defined as,"the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race." As said before, most people consider it morally wrong to make these judgements to say that somebody is dirty, inferior or dangerous, but what about smart? What about being frugal or athletic? Is it wrong to assume good things about people because of their race? To be blunt, yes. All bias is harmful.

For example, the concept that Asians are smart is one of the most common forms of "good" racism or "good" bias. Most people would consider that an advantage, but check out this. Clearly being seen as superior in a certain field is not always an advantage. Even if it was, this judge. ment is still wrong because it assumes that others are inferior to one's ability because they are of a different race. It doesn't matter the ethnicity of who's getting discriminated against: black, white, Indian, Asian. Judging one's abilities and granting them opportunities based off of anything other than their performance is unfair, no exceptions.

All bias is bad bias. All bias needs to end.

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Time to End the Diet Culture

The New Year's resolution has always been one of my least favorite holiday traditions. The first of January is just an ordinary day, there's nothing that's specially ordained it to be a day where change is any more possible or will power is any stronger, yet many still like to follow the "New Year new me" trend. What I find to be the most regrettable part of it all is the fact that the number one New Year's resolution made is to lose weight. It's unfortunate that so many people are so displeased with their bodies that to many the biggest accomplishment for their year will be couple of shed pounds. I think that one of the biggest factors of this mentality is demonstrated through the media this holiday season. The fact that weight loss is a widely accepted New Year's resolution is no secret. That's why, early this January,one can expect to see morning TV shows, magazines and advertisements bloom with headlines selling all kinds of tricks, miracle diets and super foods to make the pounds melt away in no time. The new year is the high tide of society's obsession with dieting and it needs to stop.

It isn't just because dieting has been argued to be counterproductive and even unhealthy among doctors. It's offensive. Not everyone wants to be thin, not everybody can be thin. Perpetuating the idea that this is the New Year is when people are supposed to make the decision to dramatically change their bodies is dangerous. It tells people that the only way to finish the year successfully is to become thin, but noticeable results take a while, and a 365 expiration date can make people impaitent. When counting calories, becoming vegetarian, or the detox tea doesn't work, people start taking more extreme measures.

I saw the consequence of the calander-based weight loss first hand with my twin sister who, at 240 lbs; wanted to lose 80 pounds by the beginning of her next school year. She cut off junk food, ate nothing but fruits and vegetables, then stopped eating altogether. By Junior year, my sister was praised for losing 30 pounds, but she had also developed an eating disorder nobody knew about until the following Novermber. When I came to visit over the holidays it seemed as if she had picked up healthier eating habits, but constantly asked if it looked like she had gained weight since the last time I saw her. Reflecting on my sister's experiences, I can't help but blame America's anti-curve culture for the way she sees herself. Our plus sized population being so under represented is one issue, but demeaning this community by promoting weight loss as much we do at the beginning of the year contributes to the problem just as much. 

The concept of New Year's resolutions aren't entirely evil, I think the biggest issue lies in society's definition of what a "better self" is. For many this comes from the inside. Take Demi Lavoto for example, who list weight but decided to show off some gained confidence instead by posting a picture of her at the beginning and end of the year side by side on instagram and  captioning it, "I was beautiful then and I'm beautiful now."  This is how weight loss resolutions should be approached if approached at all. Losing weight doesn't mean that the heavier version of somebody was any less than the thinner. This kind of milestone should be presented and celebrated as an increase in not beauty or self worth, but, "health, balance, endurance and consistancy" as Demi continues in her post.

Inspiring words aside, if there's anything that we should strive to have more healthy, more balanced and more consistent by the end of the year, it should be our outlook on body image and the way we present it to others. Maybe we won't shed all the insensitivy away by 2016, but I think it's a pretty good goal to keep in mind.

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Privilege Progress Report: A Year in Review

This may very well be the last Breaking Bias post of 2014. I think this is why I feel a special obligation to take a leaf out of Facebook's book and write a "Year in Review." At first I thought of doing a timeline, but I felt like that would treat certain issues disproportionately. Then, I thought of writing a list of highlights for each form of privilege, but I didn't want one triumph (or failure) for an issue to look more important than any others, so I decided against that as well. At this moment, organizing a review seems nearly impossible. There are so many things that I could write about, so many things that I could argue were pivotal moments to those trying to get a better grasp of privilege I have so many different thoughts swimming through my mind right now. . But above anything else, I'm thinking that 2014 was a pretty big year.

Granted, I am young and growing more and more perceptive by the day. It's likely that 2014 was the same as any other year only I've barely begun to notice the important stuff. Or perhaps, I've only recently developed the skill to identify what the "important stuff" exactly is. Either way, I believe the best way to truly give this year justice is to simply present it for what it is. 

If I were to classify 2014 as any kind of year I'd say it would be a loud one. 

It seems like for the past couple of years, privilege has been  passed down like salad at Thanksgiving dinner: the topic is rarely put on our plate, and when it is, it takes up the smallest portion of it possible and even then it's pretty thoroughly ignored. However, as the years progress, connections are increasing, ideas are spreading and people are...acting. People are actually acting.Not only are they acting but are following through. This isn't just pertaining to Ferguson. This is happening with gender equality, body image, LGBTQ rights. Activists are becoming more active and  most importantly, people are becoming more willing to teach. Taking action is one thing but encouraging further participation by educating others is an invaluable asset to equality that 2014 has been generously provided. 

 The tenacity of the #BlackLivesMatter movement in particular is inspiring others to persevere in their causes, but what's really caused talks on privilege to pick up speed are the discussions constantly circling throughout the web. In 2014, the minorities of America and the ones fighting for them learned how to speak up.It is all very exciting. There is still so much to be done but now people are more willing to try to get it done. Because of this, I can't help but feel a sense of optimism at this year's close.

Maybe that's just me. I'm barely 18 years old and up to this year I've never really thought of what privilege is or how every day aspects of my life demonstrate the advantages that I have over other people.  Within this year it seems as if the world has gotten bigger. I can only hope that one day this blog will have the same effect on others. I hope that these posts will help expand the worlds of others too. I've been learning so much, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to have you readers learning with me. Thank you.

Until next year!

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When Christmas isn't a Holiday

"It's not about what you get, it's what you give." That's what my parents always told me. Growing up, that lesson was water off a duck's back; however, this phrase took on a whole new meaning for me this season. In one of my first posts, I mentioned that while I live in a low-income household, I have more than a couple of affluent relatives on the other side of my family.  This has given me the opportunity  to sample both sides of the social class spectrum. There are times,many of them, where the difference in our living styles is more obvious than others, but over the years I have found that this difference is more obvious during the holidays.

"It's not about what you get, it's what you give."

The harsh reality for many families is that they don't have anything to give. Some don't have anything to keep. With the copious amount toy drives, food drives, and bell-ringing Santas in front of Walmart that surface this time of year it's easy to claim that during this season, the poor are far from dismissed. But I feel like one common misconception of charity during the holidays is that the wealthy contributions to the poor "make" their Christmases. They don't. A Christmas tree with or without presents under it hurts just the same if you aren't the one putting those presents there. This is the season of giving. People living in poverty know that just as much as anyone else and when they can't give, it stings. It always stings. I have seen my mother drive herself in deeper debt because the idea of not getting her children Christmas presents filled her with a kind of sadness no paycheck could rectify. The past 18 years have consisted of profuse apologies on Christmas day and wounded glances at the gifts my father sent. I imagine that there are other low-income families who have had similar experiences.

Christmas is a celebration of prosperity. Those in the upper and middle class can afford to buy gifts for most members of their immediate relatives, various extended family members, and a single parent household that goes to their same church. Meanwhile, those in the lower class are either exhausted or exploited or both. This season is a spit in the face to all those who break their backs to make ends meet but don't get paid enough to buy anything other than what is necessary.

I'm not trying to be the Grinch here. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. But I recognize that what makes Christmas a positive season for me is the fact that this is a time of year that has always been funded for me. That doesn't mean Christmas is all about money. Family, kinship and goodwill are all virtues that make Christmas what it is, but these are parts of a whole. For many families there are parts of this whole missing. That's why I believe that if there's anything that we should give during these season, at the very least it should be thanks. Because so many of us have so much more than others.

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Mental Illness in the Media

A recent study conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) found that 18.2 percent of America's adult population endure some form of mental illness every year. That's just about one in five. Statistically speaking, you could have two or three co-workers suffering from a mental illness in your office. If all of my classmates were eighteen, up to five of my peers who I talk to on a daily basis could be mentally ill. These numbers, of course, are not evenly blanketed throughout the country, and probably not in my city either. While the 1-in-5 principle is likely, it is not certain.  I researched this statistic to introduce today;s topic, and what I found was entirely unexpected. I mean, yeah. I knew there was a fair number of Americans who suffered from depression, but 18.2 percent...well, that is a significant number. Am I the only one who is surprised? Maybe. This might be a old news or I may be a poorly informed individual. I wouldn't put it past myself, I am a high school student afterall, but for a moment let's assume that this is a marginally surprising figure to most American people (which could be true because most Americans are poorly informed individuals). Why is it surprising? I think it's because mental illness is something we expect to be easily noticed. To many, "mentally ill" is just a euphemism for "crazy," "psycho," or even "dangerous." Mental illness is stigmatized in a way that no other mental illness is. A significant factor of this is the way mental illness is portrayed to the American people. In the media, we see the mentally ill exploited and misrepresented for the sake of entertainment time and time again.

We've all seen the classic horror movie cliches. The ax murderer, the psychopath with the tragic backstory, the man with the "bad voices" in his head telling him to kill people. Whether it's through Alfred Hitchcock or Stephen King, mental illness has been a convenient backstory for bad guys throughout the ages. This applies to television as well. When it comes to prime-time shows, 73 percent of characters with mental illnesses are portrayed as violent, compared to the 40 percent of "normal" characters. Violent or criminal behavior is often times over sensationalized to better grasp an audience's attention. In the words of Robert Berger, Ph.D, former professional consultant for the 2009 TV drama Wonderland, "“People aren't interested in watching someone with a minor illness go to a self-help group.” As a thriller enthusiast who loves movies like Psycho and The Shining, I can whole heartedly agree to this, but that doesn't mean writers have an excuse to blow mental illness out of proportion, or only show viewers extreme cases. It is possible to be accurate and entertaining. A champion of balanced portrayals of mental illness in the media is the ongoing series Homeland which features a successful CIA agent with bipolar disorder whose characterization isn't centered around her disability. The problem is, being balanced requires more work. It's so much easier to slap the "crazy" label on a supporting character without feeling the need to do any research on the disorder that is being portrayed. Accuracy is also seen as a limiting factor in the creative process. Sometime fudging a couple of facts makes an episode that much more compelling. What writers and directors don't take into consideration is that people actually let these portrayals affect their perception of the mentally ill. Surveys show that 61 percent of Americans believe that people with schizophrenia are likely to commit violent actions against others. Mental illness has been proven to be connected with some cases of violence, but they do not go hand in hand. Mental illness is not a sure indicator of violent behavior later on in life. Psychiatry studies explicitly state that Other variables- for example substance abuse, history of violence, demographic variables (e.g., sex, age) and the presence of stressors all play a role in one's likelihood to commit violent acts. These contributing factors usually need to be paired together for something big to happen, but mental illness isn't always that factor. Any T.V. show or movie saying otherwise is just being unfair.

This isn't limited to the silver screen. Negative portrayals of the mentally ill also exist in reality. News reports emphasize the mental instabilities of criminals while tabloids feed off of the suffering of celebrities like Lindsay Lohan after serious breakdowns caused by mental illness. We like to find what's different in other people so that we can tell ourselves we can never become it. This kind of mentality is the very definition of prejudice, and it needs to stop.

As a society it's our job to look past the stereotypes we see in the media and make judgements on who individuals are for ourselves. This applies to the mentally ill just as much as anybody else. Being mentally ill doesn't make somebody a liability or dangerous or helpless in any way. There are ways to get better and most people do. They do not, however, turn into ax murderers. The mentally ill should not be shunned, but supported, not unstable but inspirational. Physical battles are one thing, but getting through seemingly insurmountable battles within the mind takes a special kind of courage that I admire more than anything else. I think that's where the headline belongs.

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