Comments on: A homophobic neighbour, and another thing I’m not exactly used to http://burningwords.net/2008/05/17/a-homophobic-neighbour-and-another-thing-im-not-exactly-used-to/ perspectives on stuff from an angry feminist Sun, 13 Sep 2009 05:12:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5-RC2 By: Rebecca http://burningwords.net/2008/05/17/a-homophobic-neighbour-and-another-thing-im-not-exactly-used-to/#comment-1068 Rebecca Sun, 18 May 2008 05:14:22 +0000 http://burningwords.net/?p=117#comment-1068 I think you've put it pretty well - I may not be as eloquent, but that's largely the sort of feeling I've been having lately. I've been very lucky compared to most other transpeople; I pass so well I've practically wound up stealth by accident, and that winds up with my being accorded far more privilege than I would have otherwise (het as well as cis). In a practical sense, it's lovely, and I'm certainly in no hurry to start wearing it on my head - but at the same time, I feel really guilty that I'm being extended that privilege, and I tend to wind up confused. It's one of the things that's been bothering me quite a bit in recent times. I think you’ve put it pretty well - I may not be as eloquent, but that’s largely the sort of feeling I’ve been having lately. I’ve been very lucky compared to most other transpeople; I pass so well I’ve practically wound up stealth by accident, and that winds up with my being accorded far more privilege than I would have otherwise (het as well as cis). In a practical sense, it’s lovely, and I’m certainly in no hurry to start wearing it on my head - but at the same time, I feel really guilty that I’m being extended that privilege, and I tend to wind up confused. It’s one of the things that’s been bothering me quite a bit in recent times.

]]> By: Emma G http://burningwords.net/2008/05/17/a-homophobic-neighbour-and-another-thing-im-not-exactly-used-to/#comment-1067 Emma G Sun, 18 May 2008 05:00:28 +0000 http://burningwords.net/?p=117#comment-1067 It can be very disconcerting to begin experiencing a social, cultural or political "privledge". My ethnic heritage is partially indigenous (Native American). I have few visual markers for that heritage. It isn't read as part of me. In the US, I was only aware of this privledge when I deliberately connected to communities of my ethnicity, where I stood out as "white", not "red". Ironically I've been made more aware of my racial privledge since moving to Australia. The experienced divide between indigenous and non indigenous has been more pervasive and pronounced. Socializing with Aboriginal friends has caused some heartbreaking moments. I've been extended additional "privledges": Being a immigrant of a desireable nationality (American) vs Asian for instance , being "excused" from an inclusion in the indigenous category itself, as a member of an exoticized, romanticized ethnic other (Native American) when I disclose my ethnicity. Being trans identified, when read, tends to trump the extension of such racial privleges. Being read itself has dimisheded over time; connected directly, I think, to my own self confidence and self acceptance. I feel as "guilty" about this privledge as I do about those extended racial priveledges. It confuses me greatly. My life has been conflicted over gender acceptance since childhood. Now when I gain that acceptance, it hurts to know I have it. Perhaps for the wrong reasons? It can be very disconcerting to begin experiencing a social, cultural or political “privledge”. My ethnic heritage is partially indigenous (Native American). I have few visual markers for that heritage. It isn’t read as part of me. In the US, I was only aware of this privledge when I deliberately connected to communities of my ethnicity, where I stood out as “white”, not “red”.

Ironically I’ve been made more aware of my racial privledge since moving to Australia. The experienced divide between indigenous and non indigenous has been more pervasive and pronounced. Socializing with Aboriginal friends has caused some heartbreaking moments. I’ve been extended additional “privledges”: Being a immigrant of a desireable nationality (American) vs Asian for instance , being “excused” from an inclusion in the indigenous category itself, as a member of an exoticized, romanticized ethnic other (Native American) when I disclose my ethnicity.

Being trans identified, when read, tends to trump the extension of such racial privleges. Being read itself has dimisheded over time; connected directly, I think, to my own self confidence and self acceptance. I feel as “guilty” about this privledge as I do about those extended racial priveledges. It confuses me greatly. My life has been conflicted over gender acceptance since childhood. Now when I gain that acceptance, it hurts to know I have it. Perhaps for the wrong reasons?

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