 Although it is Indigenous people, people of colour, women, and persons with disabilities who suffer the worst indignities of colonization such as starvation and rape, more privileged people think that in our collective struggle of challenging the oppressive power structures that will lead to all people’s emancipation, the more oppressed people must mediate their hurt and anger in a way as not to offend.
People, all people, really need to critically reflect on how unreasonable and unfair it is that the people most hurt need to manage, not exhibited, and hide the emotions of the knowledge of being oppressed, or alternatively stated to coddle the ‘oppressor in others’ as it may hurt their feelings. Knowledge is tagged with emotion. Knowledge is emotion, knowledge is heartfelt, knowledge is wholistic. Colonization with all that is inherent such as sexism, racism, and ableism has been and is really hurtful and harmful. The emotion that the more oppressed people embody is the very knowledge of oppression. It is unreasonable, linear, and selfish of more privileged people to think otherwise. That said, in offering this insight of mine I would never say to a more privileged person who can’t handle an expression of an oppressed person’s embodied knowledge to “Just get over it.” as I know full well that once they feel what an oppressed person feels that they will know more wholistically what has happened to me. Through heart knowledge they will have a relationship with the knowledge of colonial oppression. What I will say, though, is “Be objective, don’t take the very valid and legitimate expression of the embodiment of knowledge so personally. Once you are able to do this, feel the knowledge, you will be one step closer to your own emancipation and all that that entails such as clean air, water, and food.” We are all entitled to it. The four legged, winged, and bees too. If in this process I lose you as an acquaintance or friend I will know it is because you may be benefiting from the oppressive power structures, and thus not truly interested in the emancipation for me or you. Follow the Turtle. Dr. Lynn Gehl is an Algonquin Anishinaabe-kwe from the Ottawa River Valley. She has a section 15 Charter challenge regarding the continued sex discrimination in The Indian Act, is an outspoken critic of the Ontario Algonquin land claims and self-government process, and recently published a book titled Anishinaabeg Stories: Featuring Petroglyphs, Petrographs, and Wampum Belts. You can reach her at lynngehl@gmail.com and see more of her work at www.lynngehl.com Please like, share, and comment on this Black Face Blog.
3 Comments
Brian Forsyth
10/4/2013 01:43:41 am
Having been born into, lived inside and grown old within what you call the "privileged class", I have to say that I am in full agreement with you and your aims. My ancestors made agreements on which they reneged - accordingly, I reject the decisions of my ancestors and wish to redress the past. I support your movement without hesitation because you are in the right - and supporting things that are in the right is a very good thing for an old man to do. In fact, we old men are probably among the few who can actually act according to our beliefs.
Larry Smallwood
11/1/2013 12:40:45 am
This old man shares the shame that belongs to "the privileged class". Men in particular have a great obligation and responsibility to see ourselves for who we have become. Our individual and collective attitudes toward power relationships between men and women are ruinous to the health of women and men. Men have a duty to recognize and to reverse the emotional and physical hurt we have bestowed upon women. Our self-imposed and misguided authority requires a shake up a wake up and a change of direction if we are to honestly show that we understand and care.
Brian Forsyth
10/4/2013 01:52:20 am
I'm a life-time teacher, retired from Ontario presently working in Asia and happy to be so doing. The only thing that would bring me back to Canada would be the chance to work in an indigenous community. It is through education that people become empowered and rise. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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