The Problem with “Privilege”

* We are re-posting an article from the blog of Andrea Smith, a long-time organizer, activist, intellectual and co-founder of Incite! Women of Color Against Violence.  Her article provides a variety of important insights, critiques and possible ways forward in looking to improve our praxis in confronting,  with the goal to end, systemic oppression.*

by Andrea Smith

For a much longer and detailed version, see my essay in the book Geographies of Privilege  

In my experience working with a multitude of anti-racist organizing projects over the years, I frequently found myself participating in various workshops in which participants were asked to reflect on their gender/race/sexuality/class/etc. privilege.  These workshops had a bit of a self-help orientation to them: “I am so and so, and I have x privilege.”  It was never quite clear what the point of these confessions were.  It was not as if other participants did not know the confessor in question had her/his proclaimed privilege.   It did not appear that these individual confessions actually led to any political projects to dismantle the structures of domination that enabled their privilege.  Rather, the confessions became the political project themselves.   

Tahrir-ICN statement on events in Egypt

*We are reposting a statement from the Tahrir-ICN blog on the current situation in Egypt*

by tahriricn

The events of the past couple of days are the latest step in a sequence of events by which the military can consolidate its hold on power, aim towards the death of the revolution and a return to a military/police state.

The authoritarian regime of the Muslim Brotherhood had to go. But what has replaced it is the true face of the military in Egypt – no less authoritarian, no less fascist and for sure more difficult to depose.

Will the cop who killed Reefa be allowed to stand his ground too?

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We are reposting this piece from the “Let’s Talk About It!” radio show blog by Subhash Kateel, a Miami comrade, radio show host, and veteran activist.

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By Subhash Kateel

This past week another young man from Miami with a promising life was cut down needlessly. Another mother is left to mourn her son while spending the next several holidays staring at an empty chair.  Another group of friends will reflect in the past tense about a friend that is no longer with them.  And yet again, another killer will likely walk the street, spend holidays with his family and hang out with his friends.  This time the killer will probably even get his job back…as a Miami Beach Police Officer.

Rally Against Police Brutality, RIP Reefa: 1pm, Sat. Aug. 10th, @ Collins Ave. and 71st St., Miami Beach

https://www.facebook.com/events/217445518412221/