Hey Ya'll. I have loved loved loved blogger, but it was time for me to jump ship. I really like some of the features found in Word Press, so I have moved. Please update your RSS feeds or bookmarks to:
http://runsingteach.wordpress.com
PEACE!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
a proud morning.
As I ventured into line this morning at 6:15am, I was overwhelmed with pride. Pride to see so many of my nameless neighbors in line, preparing to cast their ballots in our nation's election. I was overwhelmed to see the civility and kindness displayed from person to person. Smiles being exchanged and knowing looks sent amongst strangers, "I know how you're voting; me too." Mothers and Fathers bringing their children and educating them on the process, showing them sample ballots and explaining how it works. The grandma in front of me who planned to receive assistance from her granddaughter to help her see the electronic machine. The woman yelling into her cell phone, "Bootsie, who cares if the lines are long, get out of your house and get here to vote." (I'm not making that up, at all....)
This is what is best about America. Yes, it matters to me who you vote for, of course I want my guys to win. But at the end of the day, if you are a citizen over 18, it is most important that you vote. Join your fellow Americans and take part in a privilege that many do not have across the globe.
Perhaps you will not be as enraptured by the process as I have been this fall. Even now, several hours later, I feel a rumble of anticipation at tonight's announcements of results from across the country. But, I hope that you will spend just a bit of time relishing the freedom you have to choose your leaders and to amend your state's constitutions.
God Bless you today. God Bless America and all of her people.
Some thoughts from those wiser than me:
The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over the government.--Franklin D. Roosevelt
I believe that liberty is the only genuinely valuable thing that men have invented, at least in the field of government, in a thousand years. I believe that it is better to be free than to be not free, even when the former is dangerous and the latter safe. I believe that the finest qualities of man can flourish only in free air – that progress made under the shadow of the policeman's club is false progress, and of no permanent value. I believe that any man who takes the liberty of another into his keeping is bound to become a tyrant, and that any man who yields up his liberty, in however slight the measure, is bound to become a slave.--H.L. Mencken
The only freedom that is of enduring importance is the freedom of intelligence, that is to say, freedom of observation and of judgment, exercised in behalf of purposes that are intrinsically worth while. The commonest mistake made about freedom is, I think, to identify it with freedom of movement, or, with the external or physical side of activity.--John Dewey
The wave of the future is not the conquest of the world by a single dogmatic creed but the liberation of the diverse energies of free nations and free men.--John F. Kennedy
The unconscious democracy of America is a very fine thing. It is a true and deep and instinctive assumption of the equality of citizens, which even voting and elections have not destroyed.--G.K. Chesterton
We preach the virtues of democracy abroad. We must practice its duties here at home. Voting is the first duty of democracy.--Lyndon B. Johnson
V-O-T-E VOTE VOTE VOTE!
This is what is best about America. Yes, it matters to me who you vote for, of course I want my guys to win. But at the end of the day, if you are a citizen over 18, it is most important that you vote. Join your fellow Americans and take part in a privilege that many do not have across the globe.
Perhaps you will not be as enraptured by the process as I have been this fall. Even now, several hours later, I feel a rumble of anticipation at tonight's announcements of results from across the country. But, I hope that you will spend just a bit of time relishing the freedom you have to choose your leaders and to amend your state's constitutions.
God Bless you today. God Bless America and all of her people.
Some thoughts from those wiser than me:
The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over the government.--Franklin D. Roosevelt
I believe that liberty is the only genuinely valuable thing that men have invented, at least in the field of government, in a thousand years. I believe that it is better to be free than to be not free, even when the former is dangerous and the latter safe. I believe that the finest qualities of man can flourish only in free air – that progress made under the shadow of the policeman's club is false progress, and of no permanent value. I believe that any man who takes the liberty of another into his keeping is bound to become a tyrant, and that any man who yields up his liberty, in however slight the measure, is bound to become a slave.--H.L. Mencken
The only freedom that is of enduring importance is the freedom of intelligence, that is to say, freedom of observation and of judgment, exercised in behalf of purposes that are intrinsically worth while. The commonest mistake made about freedom is, I think, to identify it with freedom of movement, or, with the external or physical side of activity.--John Dewey
The wave of the future is not the conquest of the world by a single dogmatic creed but the liberation of the diverse energies of free nations and free men.--John F. Kennedy
The unconscious democracy of America is a very fine thing. It is a true and deep and instinctive assumption of the equality of citizens, which even voting and elections have not destroyed.--G.K. Chesterton
We preach the virtues of democracy abroad. We must practice its duties here at home. Voting is the first duty of democracy.--Lyndon B. Johnson
V-O-T-E VOTE VOTE VOTE!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
techno-wizard.
I am not a techno-wizard. This is clear. I enjoy web 2.0 tools as "cool stuff" but I realize that these types of tools are user-friendly and for the lay person. So as I sit, locked out of my domain as I try to re-direct it to a new front page....I blog. I bloggggggg.......
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
what running can be.
Last night I had the best kind of therapy. I realized that once upon a time running was just running. To push the body and be with friends. It wasn't about PRs. It wasn't about hassle.
Yesterday I was very blue. Many of you dear readers obviously know why I was blue but to top it off I'm having a plethora of health issues which are effecting my running-gosh darn it!! But I nonetheless went to practice last night to bid my Marine Corps runners farewell and wish them luck this weekend. I just ran. I didn't do a lot of talking (shocking, I know). I ran hard and enjoyed the crisp red leaves underfoot. I listened as my newbies sounded like veterans after weeks of training; even hearing some of my own mantras repeated.
When it came for loop three to bring us to six miles, I heard "who's in?". I added my "I'm in", and it was good. So good to run, to listen, to enjoy the sunset in each of its final stages as we crested the hill behind OMHS each time. I was reminded of the need to challenge the body when it is weak, from time to time. And to let the mind clear even when it is its most full.
Thank you friends, for allowing me to sit in the pack last night and remember what running can be.
Yesterday I was very blue. Many of you dear readers obviously know why I was blue but to top it off I'm having a plethora of health issues which are effecting my running-gosh darn it!! But I nonetheless went to practice last night to bid my Marine Corps runners farewell and wish them luck this weekend. I just ran. I didn't do a lot of talking (shocking, I know). I ran hard and enjoyed the crisp red leaves underfoot. I listened as my newbies sounded like veterans after weeks of training; even hearing some of my own mantras repeated.
When it came for loop three to bring us to six miles, I heard "who's in?". I added my "I'm in", and it was good. So good to run, to listen, to enjoy the sunset in each of its final stages as we crested the hill behind OMHS each time. I was reminded of the need to challenge the body when it is weak, from time to time. And to let the mind clear even when it is its most full.
Thank you friends, for allowing me to sit in the pack last night and remember what running can be.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
on the road again...
I took 8 days off after my marathon doing absolutely nothing other than watching myself get fat. My legs felt better fairly early in the process, but I just didn't feel like going out. I wasn't exactly getting a lot of extra sleep in and motivation was not super high.
I was bound and determined to get out on Monday morning to begin anew as I prepare for Philly. My excitement turned when I flipped on the news at 5:15am and saw that the current outdoor temp was 33 degrees. Really? Already? Ok, ok. I threw open my winter running bin and pulled out some tights and got myself together. Trodding out like a stay-puff marshmallow I started up the hill as my lungs took in the chilled air. It wasn't terrible, but it was certainly not the ideal way back onto the road. Dark, cold, and to top it off, suffering a bit of gastro discomfort that has yet to subside.
I made it to the top of the hill and past HCC to meet MM. We were able to get most of the way around the reverse wdf course when I saw my apt. complex and was happy to book it home instead of staying with her for the last mile. 3.5 miles is not what I had hoped for on my first round out, but I will accept it and move on.
I will try again tonight and see if I can extend my distance. Speed will come later. For now, it is move the legs and hope they remember what to do.
I was bound and determined to get out on Monday morning to begin anew as I prepare for Philly. My excitement turned when I flipped on the news at 5:15am and saw that the current outdoor temp was 33 degrees. Really? Already? Ok, ok. I threw open my winter running bin and pulled out some tights and got myself together. Trodding out like a stay-puff marshmallow I started up the hill as my lungs took in the chilled air. It wasn't terrible, but it was certainly not the ideal way back onto the road. Dark, cold, and to top it off, suffering a bit of gastro discomfort that has yet to subside.
I made it to the top of the hill and past HCC to meet MM. We were able to get most of the way around the reverse wdf course when I saw my apt. complex and was happy to book it home instead of staying with her for the last mile. 3.5 miles is not what I had hoped for on my first round out, but I will accept it and move on.
I will try again tonight and see if I can extend my distance. Speed will come later. For now, it is move the legs and hope they remember what to do.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
thoughts from the airplane
Where is God among the suffering?
He is here.
He is still at the center.
God of my birth.
God of my earth.
God of my eternity.
You are here among the suffering.
You are the source out of it.
God of my joy.
God of my pain.
God of my being.
Provide release from the suffering.
Break hold and re-take the center of me.
He is here.
He is still at the center.
God of my birth.
God of my earth.
God of my eternity.
You are here among the suffering.
You are the source out of it.
God of my joy.
God of my pain.
God of my being.
Provide release from the suffering.
Break hold and re-take the center of me.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
reflections on a hot race.
Place: Chicago, IL
Date: Oct. 12, 2008
Time: 8am-12pm
Distance: 26.2 miles
Positives: Finally running a marathon with my dear RP, 13.1 miles with two best friends, seeing old friends, my latina omlette in Andersonville, running in a new city, really easy bag check, a LOT of water stops, lots of cheering crowds, a pink and brown long sleeved running tee, jamba juice at the finish line, pushing hard through a lot of pain in mile 25, beating the creepy guy in red spandex, staying under 4 hours by the hair on my chinny chin chin, three really tasty pints of beer afterwards and going to sleep at 7:30pm!!!
Not-so-positives: 65 deg. at 6am, concrete and pot holes, an odd lime gu incident around mile 20, smelly streets, 80 deg at 11am, no shade ever, really tired feet, mile 25, feeling alone at the finish and really needing a hug, 85 degrees at noon.
At the end of the day it was not my best race (though it was my best time) but it was a good experience. I'm thankful for friends, volunteers, and God for helping me fight through mile 25 when all I wanted was to lay down on the ground and take a nap.
On to Philly. Nov. 23rd
Date: Oct. 12, 2008
Time: 8am-12pm
Distance: 26.2 miles
Positives: Finally running a marathon with my dear RP, 13.1 miles with two best friends, seeing old friends, my latina omlette in Andersonville, running in a new city, really easy bag check, a LOT of water stops, lots of cheering crowds, a pink and brown long sleeved running tee, jamba juice at the finish line, pushing hard through a lot of pain in mile 25, beating the creepy guy in red spandex, staying under 4 hours by the hair on my chinny chin chin, three really tasty pints of beer afterwards and going to sleep at 7:30pm!!!
Not-so-positives: 65 deg. at 6am, concrete and pot holes, an odd lime gu incident around mile 20, smelly streets, 80 deg at 11am, no shade ever, really tired feet, mile 25, feeling alone at the finish and really needing a hug, 85 degrees at noon.
At the end of the day it was not my best race (though it was my best time) but it was a good experience. I'm thankful for friends, volunteers, and God for helping me fight through mile 25 when all I wanted was to lay down on the ground and take a nap.
On to Philly. Nov. 23rd
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
about not getting worked up.
I get worked up about a lot of things. (Insert you, dear readers who know me, saying "duh") Lately, I have been getting so worked up that it has started to bubble and I've become a version of myself that I don't particularly like. (ooh bad grammar...alas, press on.) I have found that bitterness is welling up in my like Vesuvius and I'm not quite sure what will happen when it pops. I have been a drain on my friends and family and I'm not proud of it.
I read this blog post today from Cool Cat Christian which made me have a momentary realization of my current state of being. Pow! Convicted. Totally Me. So here I am, finally sitting after a 12 hour day which included working, class, and dealing with the horrifying safeway pharmacy, and though I should be packing, I am meandering upon being the Dead Sea.
"why don't you just find something to be positive about in the morning", said the wise woman as I went on a diatribe about my feelings on the election, state of testing in schools, accountability of humans to one another, or whatever benign topic I had chosen. That was when I realized I needed a break from being mad. I decided to unplug from my morning NPR because I knew I would get worked up. I knew I had to tread the blog and pundit waters with trepidation this morning so that I would not get worked up. I knew I couldn't think too hard about my career path or relationship status because I would get uber-worked up. But alas, I decided to go to pick up my prescription and alas, got worked up. Darn I had made it almost 10 hours with generally feeling calm-ish.
But that Dead Sea thing really hit me about mid day. It was in reading it that I have come to realize the negative repercussions that I must be having on my dear friends and family. I know that I have lost really important things, the biggest and most important thing next to God, because of myself. So how can I fix myself and this whole "passionate about everything" problem?
Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians: "Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." 4:8.
So I suppose my question is--How to let go? How to think upon these things and let the rest fall away? I suppose that is the essence of faith. Casting those things upon the Lord. Oh, but faith is scary business. Who will I be if I let go of those things which keep me so wound tight? Will I like that person? Will others? Will I be "good". And yet again comes the vicious cycle of my inability to not get worked up.
As always, dear reader, I have no answers. I just have questions. I also have a serious smack of humility as I must go sheepishly to my friends and family and ask forgiveness for being a Dead Sea to them for so long now. Ah but what is forgiveness without repentance? And yet another series of questions begins.
Wishing you peace dear reader. Peace that comes from casting your cares on the Lord and not asking for them back.
Peace.
I read this blog post today from Cool Cat Christian which made me have a momentary realization of my current state of being. Pow! Convicted. Totally Me. So here I am, finally sitting after a 12 hour day which included working, class, and dealing with the horrifying safeway pharmacy, and though I should be packing, I am meandering upon being the Dead Sea.
"why don't you just find something to be positive about in the morning", said the wise woman as I went on a diatribe about my feelings on the election, state of testing in schools, accountability of humans to one another, or whatever benign topic I had chosen. That was when I realized I needed a break from being mad. I decided to unplug from my morning NPR because I knew I would get worked up. I knew I had to tread the blog and pundit waters with trepidation this morning so that I would not get worked up. I knew I couldn't think too hard about my career path or relationship status because I would get uber-worked up. But alas, I decided to go to pick up my prescription and alas, got worked up. Darn I had made it almost 10 hours with generally feeling calm-ish.
But that Dead Sea thing really hit me about mid day. It was in reading it that I have come to realize the negative repercussions that I must be having on my dear friends and family. I know that I have lost really important things, the biggest and most important thing next to God, because of myself. So how can I fix myself and this whole "passionate about everything" problem?
Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians: "Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." 4:8.
So I suppose my question is--How to let go? How to think upon these things and let the rest fall away? I suppose that is the essence of faith. Casting those things upon the Lord. Oh, but faith is scary business. Who will I be if I let go of those things which keep me so wound tight? Will I like that person? Will others? Will I be "good". And yet again comes the vicious cycle of my inability to not get worked up.
As always, dear reader, I have no answers. I just have questions. I also have a serious smack of humility as I must go sheepishly to my friends and family and ask forgiveness for being a Dead Sea to them for so long now. Ah but what is forgiveness without repentance? And yet another series of questions begins.
Wishing you peace dear reader. Peace that comes from casting your cares on the Lord and not asking for them back.
Peace.
Monday, October 6, 2008
shrill in the morning
I have made the switch from The Today Show on NBC every morning to MSNBC's Morning Joe as my morning news program. I was getting sick of the ridiculous things passing for news on Today (I'm sorry Matt Lauer) and I wanted more politics in my morning. With Joe Scarborough and his morning crew I have received my request. They talk politics, news, and opinions for three hours every morning and it seems a lot like an intelli-fest, which I love.
However, at 6:45am, I don't need to hear Pat Buchanan's on-on-on about how Sarah Palin is the most intelligent and ready candidate for VP. Seriously? Not only is he just wrong; she is the worst choice John McCain has ever made in his professional political career. But more than that, Pat Buchanan--you're wearing a microphone, stop screaming into the camera. The only that could be worse would be you vs. Senator Clinton (a great politician but a very shrill mic user). It is not just what you say, it is how you say it into a volume projection device. Shhhhhh!!!!!
Have a good day dear reader. Enjoy your last month of election madness.
However, at 6:45am, I don't need to hear Pat Buchanan's on-on-on about how Sarah Palin is the most intelligent and ready candidate for VP. Seriously? Not only is he just wrong; she is the worst choice John McCain has ever made in his professional political career. But more than that, Pat Buchanan--you're wearing a microphone, stop screaming into the camera. The only that could be worse would be you vs. Senator Clinton (a great politician but a very shrill mic user). It is not just what you say, it is how you say it into a volume projection device. Shhhhhh!!!!!
Have a good day dear reader. Enjoy your last month of election madness.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Daily Dose of the Good Ones
Great things from a day at school.
Getting a campaign button from a great kid as she runs for student council...knowing a win would be a huge boost for her confidence.
Seeing a Mom who doesn't participate much listen to her kid intently as he proudly shares a class project and watching her be supportive.
Having a Chaplain who truly cares about her new colleagues and kids and prays with us, genuinely showing the true spirit of Christ.
Listening to kids finally understand the downward progression of So-Fa-Mi-Re-Do.
Having a Kindergartener proudly proclaim that the triangle is high pitch and the big drum is low pitch.
Being given a re-done paper that while not stellar, was certainly a concerted effort to improve.
Listening to the kids get excited about talking about cathedrals and their beauty.
These are the good ones that make the rough ones worth fighting through...
Peace.
Getting a campaign button from a great kid as she runs for student council...knowing a win would be a huge boost for her confidence.
Seeing a Mom who doesn't participate much listen to her kid intently as he proudly shares a class project and watching her be supportive.
Having a Chaplain who truly cares about her new colleagues and kids and prays with us, genuinely showing the true spirit of Christ.
Listening to kids finally understand the downward progression of So-Fa-Mi-Re-Do.
Having a Kindergartener proudly proclaim that the triangle is high pitch and the big drum is low pitch.
Being given a re-done paper that while not stellar, was certainly a concerted effort to improve.
Listening to the kids get excited about talking about cathedrals and their beauty.
These are the good ones that make the rough ones worth fighting through...
Peace.
the trouble with taper
I'm 10 days away from my fall marathon, Chicago, so I'm about mid-way into the "taper period". This period generally includes a reduction in mileage and intensity and a closer attention paid to nutrition, sleep, and stretching. Usually this time is marked by restlessness and random pains as the body heals itself after sixteen weeks of consistent work.
Alas, this time, I am sick. Sick. ICK. I have been forced into rest by my body's inability to rise from bed before 6 and inability to sleep through the night because of a righteous cough. I have chosen to work through the illness to keep the momentum up in my classroom but that makes me feel worse. Yes, it exacerbates the laryngitis, but more than that...I feel like I am letting my kids down. I hate letting my kids down. Not being able to model good singing for them is a horrid feeling. They are lovely and respectful and wish me well a lot, but it is just so frustrating. I've been told to put in movies and let it go, but I'm just not that girl.
But back to the running thing...10 days. It is an emotional and physical whirlwind that is the essence of self-discipline. And, this time round (time #8) I am so ready to be done. I can't wait to sleep in on Monday, October 13th and get up just in time to catch my return plane. I have never been more excited about sleeping than I am this particular time.
Tapering is a leap of faith. It is having confidence in the work that you have put in over the course of your training. It is trusting the science, philosophies, and advice of the learned. This particular time, it is a forced rest which makes me feel even more anxiety, but at the same time, it is not new anymore. Therefore, while I'm stressed about having now not run for FIVE days, I trust the training, and pray for healing.
Are you in taper dear reader? If so, trust the training. Treat your aches and pains gingerly and know that you are ready. Whether you are a 3 hour half marathoner or a sub-three marathoner or like me, somewhere in the middle trying to get closer to the front, you can do it. I believe in you!
Peace.
Alas, this time, I am sick. Sick. ICK. I have been forced into rest by my body's inability to rise from bed before 6 and inability to sleep through the night because of a righteous cough. I have chosen to work through the illness to keep the momentum up in my classroom but that makes me feel worse. Yes, it exacerbates the laryngitis, but more than that...I feel like I am letting my kids down. I hate letting my kids down. Not being able to model good singing for them is a horrid feeling. They are lovely and respectful and wish me well a lot, but it is just so frustrating. I've been told to put in movies and let it go, but I'm just not that girl.
But back to the running thing...10 days. It is an emotional and physical whirlwind that is the essence of self-discipline. And, this time round (time #8) I am so ready to be done. I can't wait to sleep in on Monday, October 13th and get up just in time to catch my return plane. I have never been more excited about sleeping than I am this particular time.
Tapering is a leap of faith. It is having confidence in the work that you have put in over the course of your training. It is trusting the science, philosophies, and advice of the learned. This particular time, it is a forced rest which makes me feel even more anxiety, but at the same time, it is not new anymore. Therefore, while I'm stressed about having now not run for FIVE days, I trust the training, and pray for healing.
Are you in taper dear reader? If so, trust the training. Treat your aches and pains gingerly and know that you are ready. Whether you are a 3 hour half marathoner or a sub-three marathoner or like me, somewhere in the middle trying to get closer to the front, you can do it. I believe in you!
Peace.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
In honor of Mr. Newman
In honor of the passing of a great human, Paul Newman, I share with you one of his most proud achievements, Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. He will be missed beyond measure, but his legacy is secure in his work to better the lives of children with life-threatening illness.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
update-correction
I would like to give credit to Tim Wise for the white privilege article I recently posted to the blog.
Monday, September 22, 2008
yes, we can.
This video came to me from a 6th grade student who plans to use it as his selection for his final project on Organization through the medium of music. I can't wait to see what he has to say about it, but I'm pretty impressed by his choice of politician.
who is a singer?
I found this post on monochord mind today and it really re-affirmed for me the importance of making sure my students know how important it is to sing. I always tell my kids that God doesn't care how you sing, as long as you are trying, your music is joyful to Him. I do also tell them that it important to keep practicing as some of us come by singing on pitch right away and some take a few years. The portion about children matching pitch was particularly resonant with me. I often see children match pitch for the first time after having heard them struggle for years. It is an absolute delight.
I also pray deeply that I'm never ever the music teacher that caused someone to be afraid of singing or come to the belief that they can't sing. This is of utmost importance to me.
Make a joyful noise today; turn up the radio and sing along. You'll add joy to your heart and time to your life.
I also pray deeply that I'm never ever the music teacher that caused someone to be afraid of singing or come to the belief that they can't sing. This is of utmost importance to me.
Make a joyful noise today; turn up the radio and sing along. You'll add joy to your heart and time to your life.
three words
I found this lovely short video while visiting the Independent School Educators Ning this morning. It is a good reminder of simplifying what is important in an era of loud and constant. Maybe one set will inspire you or you'll find your own three words.
God is Love.
God is Love.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Bartlet meets Obama
Thanks to Maureen Dowd, I have now had my tv fantasies fulfilled. Check out her lovely Op-Ed and be thankful to the god of tv writing, Aaron Sorkin.
Plus Martin Sheen was on Prairie Home Companion this week, so I've been Bartlet blissed out this week. Enjoy!
Plus Martin Sheen was on Prairie Home Companion this week, so I've been Bartlet blissed out this week. Enjoy!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
thoughts on the election and white privilege
This summer at KSI we spent a lot of time talking about diversity including a very long and good session on white privilege. I think I've been aware of wp but don't often take the time to see through the reverse lens. I thank my colleague from KSI who posted this on his Facebook page. It really opened my eyes to the inequities being demonstrated and accepted by our society in this election cycle. I'm more convicted now that before that Barack Obama is the right man for the job.
**Please note this does contain some profanity. It's origination is from SNCC listserv to which I assume my colleague subscribes**
For those who still can't grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.
White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because "every family has challenges,” even as black and Latino families with similar "challenges" are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.
White privilege is when you can call yourself a "fuckin' redneck," like Bristol Palin's boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll "kick their fuckin' ass," and talk about how you like to "shoot shit" for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.
White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in the first place because of affirmative action.
White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don't all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you're "untested."
White privilege is being able to say that you support the words "under God" in the pledge of allegiance because "if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it's good enough for me," and not be immediately disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the "under God" part wasn’t added until the 1950s--while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only supported by mushy liberals.
White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you.
White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto was "Alaska first," and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you're black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she's being disrespectful.
White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think you're being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college--you're somehow being mean, or even sexist.
White privilege is being able to convince white women who don't even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a "second look."
White privilege is being able to fire people who didn't support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt.
White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God's punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you're just a good churchgoing Christian, but if you're black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you're an extremist who probably hates America.
White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a "trick question," while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O'Reilly means you’re dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.
White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism is, as Sarah Palin has referred to it a light" burden.
And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren't sure about that whole "change" thing. Ya know, its just too vague and ill defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, , which is very concrete and certain. White privilege is, in short, the problem.
**Please note this does contain some profanity. It's origination is from SNCC listserv to which I assume my colleague subscribes**
For those who still can't grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.
White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because "every family has challenges,” even as black and Latino families with similar "challenges" are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.
White privilege is when you can call yourself a "fuckin' redneck," like Bristol Palin's boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll "kick their fuckin' ass," and talk about how you like to "shoot shit" for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.
White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in the first place because of affirmative action.
White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don't all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you're "untested."
White privilege is being able to say that you support the words "under God" in the pledge of allegiance because "if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it's good enough for me," and not be immediately disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the "under God" part wasn’t added until the 1950s--while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only supported by mushy liberals.
White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you.
White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto was "Alaska first," and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you're black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she's being disrespectful.
White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think you're being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college--you're somehow being mean, or even sexist.
White privilege is being able to convince white women who don't even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a "second look."
White privilege is being able to fire people who didn't support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt.
White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God's punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you're just a good churchgoing Christian, but if you're black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you're an extremist who probably hates America.
White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a "trick question," while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O'Reilly means you’re dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.
White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism is, as Sarah Palin has referred to it a light" burden.
And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren't sure about that whole "change" thing. Ya know, its just too vague and ill defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, , which is very concrete and certain. White privilege is, in short, the problem.
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