fandomhigh | Ethics, Wednesday

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.

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Anakin nodded. "The same sort of privilege is probably covered in the question about getting personal favors."

Obi-Wan nodded. "Meanwhile, a student indicated that there are other forms of speciesism and discrimination we may be missing," he said. "We could always shift our focus next time."

Anakin nodded. "Towards what?" he asked.

"A rather more detailed look at such prejudices," Obi-Wan said. "It seems to be something of a theme."

Anakin reached for a piece of flimsi to write on. "So they were from somewhere a little like the Mon Cal and the Quarren?"

"It appears so," Obi-Wan said. "Humans appear to be the dominant race, and they view themselves as superior to the elves, who work as servants - or slaves. Though miss Merrill might be an odd case, from what I gather."

Anakin pursed his lips at "slaves." "Does she have powers?" he guessed.

"I don't know," Obi-Wan said. "Apparently she's a member of a group called the Dalish? But I haven't found out yet what that implies."

"It doesn't sound familiar to me either," Anakin said. "Have you spoken to Alluka at all?"

Obi-Wan shook his head. "You were... rather engaged with her."

"She was locked in her room for years," Anakin said, anger and outrage tinging his voice.

Locked in her room...?

"Control your anger," Obi-Wan said quietly. But he was frowning as well. "Do we know why?"

"This is controlled," Anakin said, "and to teach her to be good. She had questions about the 'modifying behavior' step."

"What manner of questions?" Obi-Wan asked.

He preferred not to argue with Anakin about his anger... and then he realized what that reasoning had led to in the past.

But he hid that particular wince well.

"She doesn't really have much else to base behavior on," Anakin said, running his fingers through his hair. "So she didn't realize that being put into a room to be good isn't normal."

Obi-Wan, in turn, fidgeted with his beard. "Her parents were neglecting her?"

"That was definitely my impression," Anakin admitted.

"We should keep an eye on her," Obi-Wan said quietly. "As long as she is here, she should be safe, but she may need assistance in class if her development is stunted in any way."

"She seems very young," Anakin said, nodding. "Most of the students veer the other direction--too old for their years."

Ethics, Wednesday

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