Privilege, Oppression, & Everything In Between

Almost everyone has privilege, and almost everyone has oppressions. These are terms often used in the social justice realm and I thought I would take the time to break these terms down from my point of view.

PRIVILEGE
When you tell someone they have privilege, often times their reaction is "But I'm not rich! I've gotten everything I have because I work hard!" In this case, people are thinking of privilege as it relates to wealth. In reality, when people, especially people involved in social justice work or marginalized communities, refer to privilege, they're referring to a social advantage that is only available to certain groups. Admitting you have privilege isn't denying any hard work you've had to do to get to where you are, it is simply admitting that, through no fault of your own, society values some aspect of you that you have no control over and this has given you certain advantages.

Under the heading of Examining Your Privilege & Oppression you can find some tips for coming to terms with privilege.

OPPRESSION

Oppression is the counterpoint to privilege. In a phrase, it is unjust treatment, particularly of a group of people.

There is a tendency in the United States and other "developed" countries, to downplay the extent to which oppression exists. I believe this has to do with the values Americans in particular claim. It is very difficult to reconcile the degree of oppression we have in this country with our values of freedom, equality, and justice for all. Despite this contradiction though, oppression does exist and it has been studied extensively. I can direct you to scientific experiments, Department of Justice reports, books, survey responses, people's personal stories...all of these sources prove that oppression is alive and well. Oppression is also not a competition. I frequently hear people say that women in the United States aren't oppressed because women in Pakistan have it worse. There is no prize for being the Most Oppressed and it does no good to compare incomparable struggles. Oppression exists everywhere and it needs to be addressed. It is best to focus on the oppression we can most directly influence and then signal boost the struggles of those with oppressions we don't experience.

It is important to note that the oppressions and -isms discussed are SYSTEMIC and SYSTEMATIC meaning they are built into our institutions and our society. When I discuss racism, I do not use the dictionary definition but rather the social justice definition of racism. When we use the dictionary definition of racism, we are erasing the long and ugly history it has and decentering those that experience it most. White people love to claim that we experience racism because we are called crackers. Racism is deeper than this. The deliberate genocide and enslavement of Brown and Black bodies by our society is racism. The levels of police brutality experienced by Black and Brown bodies is racism. Being called a honky is not. However, PLEASE don't take my word for it! I am white and it's really not my place to discuss racism so please check out racismschool.tumblr.com and this amazing TedTalk The Power of Privilege

AXES

Privilege and oppression come in many different forms that exist on an intersecting continuum. At one end, there is privilege, and on the other end, oppression. Axes of privilege/oppression include, but are not limited to: race/ethnicity, dis/ability, religion, sex, gender, age, class, and size. I have created a matrix that should help clarify how they all coexist and intersect. There are some fuzzy areas and plenty of overlap...consider the matrix a rough visual! 

 *Please note that in dominant US society, sex is viewed as a binary so I only included man and woman as options for sex although that does not reflect my own views.*

EXAMINING YOUR PRIVILEGE AND OPPRESSION
Often, those that have privilege are completely unaware that they have it and of the advantages that have been afforded to them. Finding out you have privilege often comes as a shock and it can cause many people to react negatively: to lash out, to shut down, and to deny what the person is saying without taking the time to listen and process. STOP! Take a breath! Clear your mind. Now put yourself in the other person's shoes and forget everything you thought you knew. Now listen and learn!

CHECK YOURSELF CONSTANTLY! Here's a great source to examine how much privilege you have: The Social Privilege Test

Your privilege can help ease some of your oppression and your oppression can whittle away some of your privilege. Where you fall may change and may depend on the groups you're in. 

FULL DISCLOSURE
I urge you all to examine your privilege and oppression and in the spirit of open sharing and exploration, allow me to tell you where I fit:

Privileges: White, Educated, Cisgender (not trans), Upper Class, Gender-conforming

Oppressions: Young Woman, Pansexual, Disabled, Autistic, Chronically ill, Atheist

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Any questions? Comments? Suggestions?

I plan to discuss ableism next so stay tuned for that! 

That/s All For Now Folks, 

-IsaJennie

2014…What Happened?

It's been a long time since I've last posted so I'm sure you're all wondering...What the heck happened in 2014?! To sum it all up: A LOT!
This post is just a quick overview of the highs and lows of the last twelve months!

Highs:
- elected to ASU undergraduate student government
- re-elected president of the LGBTQA Coalition (now the Rainbow Coalition)
- moved back into my condo with one of my best friends
- 2280 Twitter followers (@IsaJennie)

- I GOT GUMBY THE CAT!

Lows:
- impeached from ASU undergraduate student government
   Read more: article that started it all >>>ASU Black and African Coalition, student government fight blackface, ASU Senator impeached for violating Tempe USG guidelines, Huffington Post Article, ASU Student Senator Impeached for Speaking to State Press Without Informing Her Superiors, ASU’s Tempe Undergraduate Student Government media guidelines unfairly limit dissent, Student Press Law Center Article, Legal experts defend impeached ASU student government senator Isabelle Murray’s point of view

- had to have an emergency appendectomy (turns out I didn't have acute appendicitis but rather I have endometriosis that had completely grown over my appendix)
- f*cked up on Twitter with my privilege
- my Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is still kicking my ass

So…that's my 2014 in a nutshell! Any questions? Comments?

I really need suggestions for blog topics! Please either leave comments on here, email me, or send me suggestions on Twitter!

Lots of <3

-IsaJennie

Whaddya wanna see?

Hello Readers!

     I'm going to be blogging at least once a week (and I'm thinking about starting a YouTube channel) but I'm not sure what I should focus on? I renamed the blog "The Adventures of IsaJennie" because the intention was that this blog would be about my thoughts, observations, things I'm passionate about, and occasionally, about my past and health. But I feel like it needs more focus...I mean, who wants to read about ONE white woman? I'm really nothing special (except for the genetic disease) and I'd rather not bore anyone.
   
    So..the question remains... what would you like to see from this blog? From a potential YouTube channel? Any ideas? Oh! Any ideas on the blog design? Do you like what you see or do you think an update is in order? What would you like to see there?

    I'd love to get your feedback so please comment and keep reading!

-IsaJennie

An Open Letter to Jane Doe

Background:

Jane Doe is a 16-year-old trans girl of color that is currently in an adult prison in solitary confinement and has been for over 50 days. She is there despite not having been charged with any crime. 

For more information about Jane Doe: We Must Not Forget Jane Doe's Humanity

To write a letter to the governor: Email Governor Malloy

To write a letter to the Commissioner for the Department of Child Services: Email Commissioner Joette Katz

To contact Jane Doe: Justice4JaneDoe@gmail.com

Open Letter to Jane Doe:

Dear Jane Doe,

    My name is Jennie (I'm 25) and I'm one of the thousands of people that are supporting you. I know you must feel incredibly alone right now. I know that in your letter to the governor you wrote that you felt forgotten and thrown away...I know that the so-called "justice" system is neglecting you...I know that you are almost always alone physically, but despite all of that, I want to let you know that in spirit, you are surrounded by people that care about you and that are fighting to get you out of the horrible place that you've found yourself in, through no fault of your own. Most of us have never met you, don't even know your name, but we care. We will not forget you. You are not trash to us but a wonderful teenage girl that deserves so much more than what life has given her. There are people around the world that are writing the governor, signing petitions, writing the commissioner, and spreading the word about the injustice that you are experiencing right now. 

    I'm a college student and I also have the privilege of being the president of my university's LGBTQA Coalition and I have let everyone in our coalition, and everyone I know outside of the coalition, know about what is happening to you. I, along with thousands of others, am tweeting #JusticeForJane every day and I've let all of my Facebook friends know what is going on. People are writing articles about your mistreatment by the "justice" system. Organizations are fighting for you. You are not forgotten. We will not rest until you are free and in a safe and healthy place where you don't have to be scared or lonely. 

    I've told you what we are trying to do for you, but if you need anything that you're not getting (other than freedom, which we're trying to get for you), please let me know what it is so I, along with others, can provide it for you!

     I know that the world must seem like a horrible place to you given what you've experienced, but there is good out there. Don't let the darkness that you're in right now dim the brilliant light inside of you. 

   

 Hang in there Jane! Stay strong! I hope to hear from you soon! 

Sincerely, 

Jennie

It's Been A Long Time...

Wow!
It's been a LOOOOOONG time since I've blogged. So much has changed since I've blogged last. I'm still in college, I'm still chronically ill, and I'm still writing, though now it's mostly on Twitter.
The biggest piece of news (other than the fact that I no longer have an appendix and I kinda have a dog now...and an awesome BFF Shelby-Lynn) is that I'm now (for the second time) the president of my university's LGBTQA Coalition and have been elected senator for Undergraduate Student Government. I have always been passionate about social justice and LGBTQIA rights, but after my diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, I've become even more involved. As I was laying in my bed that year out of school, in constant pain and struggling to find a reason to not give up, I discovered activism and now I'm hooked. Everyone deserves rights. Everyone deserves respect and dignity and equal opportunities...and I'm working to make that a reality! So...stay tuned!

Hello 2012!

Hello my dear readers! If there are  any of you still left!

I hope you all had a positively fabulous time this holiday season! Like most people I've reflected on the past year and resolved to do some things differently this year!

I think it's safe to say that this past year has been a life-changing year to say the very least; going from thinking and generally feeling like I was perfectly normal to getting sick over the summer and then finding out I have an incurable genetic disease that will bring degenerative changes, as well as a most likely permanent autonomic nervous system, was quite a shift in my perception of who I am and what my future holds. I went from being a conscientious student to being a patient...I've decided to take this spring semester off as well...

Well, this year I'm starting things off in Pensacola, FL taking care of my adorable three-year-old niece Annika for about a month and then who knows? I do know that I need to quit wallowing in my physical and mental pain and get on with things. The only thing I have planned beyond nannying is going back to school in the fall. I would like to take a true vacation where I can totally relax and not worry about doctors appointments, responsibilities, or feeling guilty if all I want to do is lounge around and read books!

I've also made some resolutions like so many other people!

1. Blog at least twice a week
2. Do physical therapy exercises every day.
3. Follow doctor's orders: my new high sodium diet and other lifestyle changes for my POTS
4. Live instead of exist!
5. Journal every day.
6. Get to a more comfortable weight.

Now here are my questions to you, my dear readers: What have you learned this past year and what do you plan to do this new year? Have you resolved to do things differently? If so, what? How will you keep your resolutions?

Hope to hear from you soon!! 

That's all for now folks! Keep reading! 

-RRR

Finally! A diagnosis!

       Oh dear (bread and beer| if we were dead | we wouldn't be here) it's been a super long time since I've posted. My b my b. =(

        So much to say and so little time (especially since I'm 'sposed to be catching up with my school work).
To catch you up with what's been going on...:

"Last time on 'The Story of A Girl'..."

She was hurt; she had fallen and she couldn't get up. 

Left to die on the cold tile floor of her bathroom, covered in makeup...

Until...she got up.

Her brand new white bathroom rug was covered in carnage--makeup everywhere.

Her back was bleeding, her ribs aching, her head pounding.

She had been sick for awhile now...

With no explanation for what was causing all of the seemingly unrelated health issues

No explanation until....

She saw a specialist.

This is her story.

This is "The Story of a Girl"

(cue intro music)

          Hehehe. It made me giggle, therefore it has to be funny, because it's not like I'm biased or anything! Lol. Annnyyyywhhooo...I finally found out what's wrong with me, and apparently, has been wrong with me my whole life. Alas, if only my family would have listened to me one of the ba-ba-ba-bazillion times I told them something wasn't right....like the time (one of many) I told my dad that it felt like my hip was popping out of place (of course he responded that wasn't possible); apparently, not only is it possible, it's been happening to me for years! My shoulders are even worse (as are my knees, elbows and wrists); I can pop those babies out of place just by moving normally. Nothing says "I'm an old lady trapped in the body of a 22-year-old college student" quite like having your whole body smell of Bengay and then...snap, crackling, and popping louder than a bowl of Rice Krispies as you kneel down on a kneeler in Church...next to an old lady whose body is much quieter than yours. 

           Damn...I got off track again (typical). Like I said, I've known for years something wasn't right and I didn't think it was a coincidence or just bad luck that I had continuous health issues. I figured it was all related, since the chances of them not being related seemed next to impossible. In the last couple of weeks I've researched some things and guess what, I correctly diagnosed myself with a rare genetic disease. (Of course, my parents thought I was just being a hypochondriac and even now they aren't *quite* believing..."oh 'they' of little faith). I originally suspected I had a condition known as Marfan Syndrome, but after ruling that out it was pretty obvious, to me at least, that I had Ehler-Danlos Syndrome.

        When I met with my geneticist he confirmed it: I have Ehler-Danlos Syndrome or (EDS). It's a pretty rare genetic connective tissue disorder. When I told some of my so-called-"friends" that I'd been diagnosed, they thought it meant it affected my skin...(and also that I was an attention whore and a hypochondriac...as well as some other things that might offend some readers). 

So let me clarify, connective tissue is everywhere in the human body. Ever hear of collagen? Yeah, the type of EDS that I was diagnosed with (though I think they got the type wrong) occurs because of "a defect in the synthesis of collagen". This defect affects my joints (the ligaments and tendons around it), my blood vessels, my organs (including my skin), etc. People don't seem to think this is a big deal, but people with EDS are at  a much higher risk for aneurysms (including abdominal aortic aneurysms); this is a common cause of death (among those with EDS) most often seen in a person's 20's and 30's. EDS also affects the heart and the brain (in the brain it can lead to migraines, and POTS...both of which I either have or am suspected of having). As I age I'm most likely going to develop osteoarthritis (if I don't already have it) and osteoporosis. I could list all of the health issues that come along with EDS (like delayed gastric emptying, acid reflux (both of which I have)) but we could be here for a very long time. So suffice it to say: "my shit's fucked up" (pardon my French)

       The great irony is, not only is what I have rare, but among people with EDS, the degree of hypermobility (or range of motion greater than normal) I have in almost all of my joints, as well as the number of joints the disease affects and what joints it affects (notably my spine and neck...and every other major joint) is EXTREMELY rare. So basically I'm a freak among freaks :-p. My sister had come with me to my appointment and she said, "we did't need a doctor to tell us you're special...we've always known you were 'extra special'." It made me laugh. 

     I have mixed feelings about my diagnosis...it's nice to finally have a diagnosis because I can quit searching and now I have resources and a community of support (the Ehler-Danlos National Foundation); it's also allowed me to let go of the past and start living in the present because, honestly, who knows how long I have left; who knows how long anyone has left? I've learned life is too short to worry about hurtful, rude people or makeup for that matter. It's too short to waste any time at all. I contemplated taking a semester off of school but then I realized, I don't want to waste time, even time taking care of my health, because I want to be a doctor and I feel like I'm already racing an hourglass that is far from full. Of course, I've talked about all of the good things; I feel like the bad things are pretty obvious: having an incurable, relatively untreatable genetic disease sucks! I'm going to be in constant pain my whole life, and chances are, it's going to get worse. I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to pretend I'm a normal healthy college girl; how much longer I can keep faking it. I don't even know how much longer my joints are going to hold up because, right now, I feel like throwing in the towel and getting a wheelchair my hips hurt so badly. 

        I have learned though, well, I suppose I have ALWAYS KNOWN, that someone always has it worse and that complaining does absolutely nothing, except, of course, pissing off my mom and dad. I took care of a man who had what I consider to be the worst disease in the world: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerois (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's Disease. It is the worst way to die, robbed of your ability to walk or move at all, talk, eat, or even breathe unaided, and through it all being in constant pain with seemingly endless muscle spasms. 

And the life expectancy after diagnosis? 1-3 years *typically* after diagnosis, although lately I've heard about quite a few people who died within months of diagnosis. But the man I took care of, Stuart, never complained (he was able to talk by sacrificing some of his air (he used a smaller trach tube even though it meant he could never get enough air)) instead he spent his remaining time on Earth helping others: writing letters with messages of hope, volunteering with the ALS Association, being a mentor to me, etc. 

I'm going to try much harder to live the way he taught me to live. He always told me: "do well my gift" and that's what I'm going to do with whatever time I have been given.

        My plan? Go to class and learn all that I can, work to help those with ALS and their families, make people smile, go to doctors' appointments and physical therapy, become a doctor so I can help people with ALS...I'm going to do well (with a smile on my face).

    (so...don't cry for me...blog readers(?)) 

Thanks for listening. Have a fantabulous day! 

--Jennie the Nerdette