Ethics [Thursday, March 1, 2012 1st period]

[sith_happened]

"Welcome back from your break," Anakin said, striding to the front of the class--where the students' desks had been pushed against the walls--to lean against the blackboard. "Today we move away from Kant and onto an American philosopher named John Rawls. He's a more modern philosopher, and the main tenet of Rawlsianism is that most reasonable principles of justice are those everyone would accept and agree to from a fair position. The question, naturally, then turns into 'what is a fair position' and his use of something called the 'veil of ignorance' that magically makes everyone unaware of their positions in society in order to determine if something is fair or not."

He pushed off of the wall and paced down the center of the room. "Rawls also argues that even meritocracy—a distributive system that rewards effort—doesn’t go far enough in leveling the playing field because those who are naturally gifted will always get ahead. Furthermore, says Rawls, the naturally gifted can’t claim much credit because their success often depends on factors as arbitrary as birth order or how you were raised as a child."

He waved his hand, indicating the students should form a line in the center of the classroom. "Today we'll conduct a little experiment in demonstrating privilege. Afterwards, I want you to discuss if such things matter in Fandom like they do back in your home universes, and if not, why not."

He reached for a piece of paper. "Let's begin."

Comments

Exercise in Privilege

[sith_happened]

And massive OCD.

The students start lined up on a white piece of tape running down the center of the room. Take steps forward or back as Anakin reads off various descriptions.

Re: Exercise in Privilege--1

[sith_happened]

"If you were ever called names because of your race, class, ethnicity, species, gender, magical powers, or sexual orientation, take one step back."

Anakin had tweaked the questions slightly for Fandom.

Re: Exercise in Privilege--1

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

Gabrielle, as a young woman frequently traveling alone with another woman not like that except totally in areas where they tended to run into large groups of armed men, took a step back. She had other reasons to, but she only got the one step back.

Re: Exercise in Privilege--1

[hurtingzeebo]

Sam sighed and took a step back. She'd definitely been called names for being a girl and poor.

Okay, more for being a poor girl who punched people in the face for making fun of her, but still.

Re: Exercise in Privilege--1

[withasword.livejournal.com]

Yep, Kate was stepping back. She'd like to be able to say it was time running with the street gangs that had led to it, but-- It would've been before that.

Re: Exercise in Privilege--1

[iwishiwasbig.livejournal.com]

Dave stayed where he was, even though he was pretty sure the taunts he assumed that anyone who suspected he might be Canadian made counted. But he could prove that they had been made without blowing his cover.

Re: Exercise in Privilege--1

[ihavediabetes.livejournal.com]

Stacey didn't have to move at all. So far, so good!

Re: Exercise in Privilege--1

[godofxbox]

Loki called Alex names all the time. He didn't think that was probably what the questions were getting at exactly, but it was true, plus there were all those fights from elementary school to consider, so he took a step back.

Re: Exercise in Privilege--1

[abitlowkey]

Loki took a step back, ignoring any classmates who might have had some small part of it.

Re: Exercise in Privilege--1

[selfhelphero]

Billy thought of all the bullies he'd met at his old school, and took a step back.

Re: Exercise in Privilege--2

[sith_happened]

"If your ancestors were forced to come to your place of origin, not by choice, take one step back."

Re: Exercise in Privilege--2

[ancientbschamp.livejournal.com]

Her family had lived in Poteidaia for as long as they could remember, so . . . no steps anywhere for Gabrielle this time, to the best of her knowledge.

Re: Exercise in Privilege--2

[hurtingzeebo]

Sam . . . had no idea.

She'd blame it on her mom, but she was pretty sure she didn't know, either.

Staying still it was.

Re: Exercise in Privilege--2

[withasword.livejournal.com]

Kate was relatively certain that Roland had never let anyone force him to go anywhere without his agreement, and he was by all accounts multiple centuries old.

So no steps for her this time.

Re: Exercise in Privilege--2

[iwishiwasbig.livejournal.com]

Dave's parent moved to America by choice, so he didn't move.

Re: Exercise in Privilege--2

[ihavediabetes.livejournal.com]

Still not moving. Stacey liked this game.

Re: Exercise in Privilege --3

[sith_happened]

"If your parents were professional: doctors, lawyers, etc., take one step forward."

Re: Exercise in Privilege-4

[sith_happened]

"If you were raised in an area where there was prostitution, drug activity, etc., take one step back."

Re: Exercise in Privilege--5

[sith_happened]

"If you ever had to skip a meal or were hungry because there was not enough money to buy food when you were growing up, take one step back."

Re: Exercise in Privilege--6

[sith_happened]

"If there were more than 50 books--or the technological equivalent in your universe--in your house when you grew up, take one step forward."

Re: Exercise in Privilege--7

[sith_happened]

"If you attended a private school or summer camp prior to coming to Fandom, take one step forward."

Re: Exercise in Privilege--8

[sith_happened]

"If you were told that you were beautiful, smart and capable by your parents or other caregivers, take one step forward."

Re: Exercise in Privilege--9

[sith_happened]

"If you are encouraged to attend college by your parents or other care givers, take one step forward."

Re: Exercise in Privilege--10

[sith_happened]

"If you ever inherited money or property, take one step forward."

Re: Exercise in Privilege--11

[sith_happened]

""And finally, if your parents or guardians told you that you could be anything you wanted to be, take one step forward."