I most noticed the mentioning of making space and methods in which privileged groups must take the time and effort to be conscious of the space that they are taking up and therefore taking away from marginalized folks. Preston mentions in “Resisting Neoliberalism From Within the Academy”, how when teaching in social work as a white woman, it is essential to address her privilege and talk about the detrimental, lasting effects white supremacy has had on the construction of our institutions, it being the driving force behind the oppression of many groups (513). Although evident, this stood out to me as I have been trying to better understand how best to navigate my privilege as a white, cisgendered woman. When Suzanne Nyaga spoke about showing up and really proving one’s support for movements they believe in, I was reminded of the Women’s March. I thought to just after last year’s Women’s March on Washington when I was reading critiques on white women having dominated the platform, stripping the march of its original significance in a way, disregarding that this was a movement started by women of colour, yet so many of the white women who attended seemed to totally disregard the added challenges and experiences faced by women of colour. The march was taken from them. This was one moment where I began to understand the complexities of navigating my privilege, and I wanted to understand how I could be an “ally” or, rather, a friend to those facing such challenges, how could I effectively and respectfully stand in solidarity. What is and is not my place to do or say? Finally I’ve come to actually try to navigate my whiteness, educating myself because it is my job and no one else’s to do that for me. Reading books, listening to music, watching movies and shows created and produced by people of colour, attending panels, where, if you literally just listen to what others outside of your experience have to say the answers are there. This is not to pat myself on the back, this is simply the facts of better understanding others, listening to what they have to say.
The panel’s thinkers, activists, and artists are working to create space for and give voices to those who have been hidden and silenced for so long by so many. They challenge the patriarchal, Eurocentric, neoliberal structures in place to keep those same people at the bottom. They shed light on the evident inequities in our society that so many choose to ignore, including myself so many times. They work hard, they refuse to be silenced and demand to be heard, they care for themselves and each other. The Tribe Called Red video Audrey Hudson showed during the panel was something that I held close, their music has totally altered the Canadian music scene, helping to shine light on the beauty of Indigenous people and their culture and bringing the challenges they face to the forefront. I think that her ideas on hip-hop and the work she has built around it are so interesting, it is such a powerful, political art. A Tribe Called Red’s R.E.D. video reflects cultures coming together and celebrating each of them. There are so many great artists out there who tell about their experiences, so many people are talking about it, all you have to do is listen. That seems to be what’s happening, all of the panelists care for others, consider others, genuinely make an effort to understand other people and their experiences and identities, and are making a difference.
Preston, Susan and Jordan Aslett. “Resisting Neoliberalism from within the Academy: Subversion through an Activist Pedagogy.” Social Work Education, vol. 33, no. 4, 2014, pp. 502-518.
