Ethics, Wednesday

[saddeserthermit]

Today the desks were shoved against the walls (and two guesses about how that had happened and "actually pushing things with their hands" wasn't the answer), with a giant piece of masking tape down the center of the room.

"We're talking about privilege this morning," Anakin began.

"When speaking of ethics, it can be highly valuable to be aware of which platform you are speaking from," Obi-Wan continued. "There are issues we might not be able to speak of with full understanding, or issues we might understand better than those we are speaking of, based on how much privilege we had growing up. And these privileges may well be smaller, and yet more significant, than you think."

"In a school like this one, especially, what you might think of as universal experiences--space flight, for instance, or unlimited amounts of water--can be unfathomable fantasies to the student next to you," Anakin said. "We've tried to come up with examples to be as helpful as possible in this exercise, which is not intended to make any of you feel better or worse than the other beings in this class. It's intended to remind you to reflect on your own worldview and how that affects your reactions to things."

Like, say, if you grew up on a slave planet with a kill-button implanted in the back of your neck, you might be a little prickly and homicidal as an adult.

"So please step forward and stand on the indicated line, where we will also be joining you," Obi-Wan said, gesturing at the floor. "We will read a number of statements, and whether you should take a step forward or a step back if it is true."

Anakin stepped onto the line, jaw set. This wasn't exactly his favorite exercise.

Comments

Sign In!

[saddeserthermit]

In a line.

Re: Sign In!

[ihuntkillers.livejournal.com]

Jasper Dent

Re: Sign In!

[good_for_six]

Isabela

Listen to the Lecture

[saddeserthermit]

Neither of your teachers has issues. Honest.

Exercise in Privilege

[saddeserthermit]

All stand on the line, please.

Question 1

[saddeserthermit]

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

Re: Question 1

[saddeserthermit]

What abuse the Jedi received could not be considered on the level of actual discrimination, Obi-Wan felt. So he remained.

Re: Question 1

[ihuntkillers.livejournal.com]

Jasper didn't take any steps. He'd been called names but not for any of those reasons.

Question 2

[saddeserthermit]

"If you ever tried to change you appearance, mannerisms, or behavior to avoid being judged or ridiculed, take one step back."

Question 3

[saddeserthermit]

"If you were ever offered a good job because of your association with a friend or family member, take one step forward. Inheriting a country or another hereditary title counts here."

Question 4

[saddeserthermit]

"If your parents told you that you could be anything you wanted to be, take one step forward."

Question 5

[saddeserthermit]

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

Question 6

[saddeserthermit]

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

Question 7

[saddeserthermit]

"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."

Question 8

[saddeserthermit]

"If one of your parents or guardians was unemployed, laid off, or not being paid at all for their work, take one step back."

Question 9

[saddeserthermit]

"If you had servants in your house, take one step forward. If your family were the servants in a house, take a step back."

Question 10

[saddeserthermit]

"If, before coming to Fandom, you'd taken a vacation to a foreign country or planet, take one step forward."

All Done!

[saddeserthermit]

Where are you now? Before, or well past the line?

Discussion Question

[saddeserthermit]

"What does your final position say about your relative privilege? What might it mean for how you approach ethical questions?"

Re: Discussion Question

[good_for_six]

Isabela shrugged. "Not as much as you might think," she said. "For a start I'm behind Merrill."

Which she was glad of for Merrill's sake.

Re: Discussion Question

[that_oldsaying]

"I didn't understand all the questions," Alluka admitted. "So I just guessed a lot of the time."

Re: Discussion Question

[bestatmystery]

"Some of the times I wasn't sure what to do," Lottie admitted. "Because I've seen folks who've had it way better'n me, but I also know loads who've had it much worse. So maybe they did apply, but not as much as they would for someone else."

Talk to the Teachers

[saddeserthermit]

That's why they're here. And only slightly awkward.

Re: Talk to the Teachers

[saddeserthermit]

Obi-Wan sat down after the exercise, and considered Anakin for a moment. This was the second time they had done this, after all.

OOC

[saddeserthermit]