Am I Just Ignorant Or Oblivious? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Am I Just Ignorant Or Oblivious?

I think it's time I (and others) do some serious thinkin'...

Mary Loewen
Aug 09, 2016
Augsburg College
53
Am I Just Ignorant Or Oblivious?

We're gonna take just a little break from our usual topic of dealing with loss, but this is something else that grieves me.

Everyone knows that there is a lot of talk about white privilege in society basically every day. I am fully aware of how unfair the world is to it's people. I love how everyone is pushing for awareness and rights and just everything equal. I'm proud to say that I want equality for our people. White, black, gay, a-sexual, transgender EVERYONE HAS A BEATING HEART! THEREFORE USE THAT HEART TO GIVE LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE.

Sorry for all caps... I can get intense.

Now, I have something really embarrassing to admit to: as a white heterosexual female in today's society I don't think I have ever recognized my white privilege or my lack of knowledge in equality between men and women (although, there is some of that I have seen). I call myself an ally, but I think I might be a little oblivious or ignorant to everything that I classify myself as an ally for. I have always just thought that if I treat everyone, and I mean Everyone the way I wish to be treated with kindness and care, that made me an ally.

Basically, I am a lost puppy in actually seeing the outside of my walls. I know that I can go out there and protest and do a sit-in until all voices have been heard, but I'm going to be honest: that scares the living daylight's outta me. Our world is getting so violent and destructive that I am not taking a stand for my friends and everyone else who deserves to have their humanity recognized.

I kinda think that might be one example of my own white privilege... I can just stay in my apartment and watch everyone else take a stand and no one will question me. I imagine other white people, not all whites let me clear, might just see me as a "normal, every-day, like-them-in-all-their-beliefs" girl. No one would know that I do believe in equality for all beings.

I apologize for my ignorance and my obliviousness, my friends who are deprived of their natural rights. I believe in you. I accept you. I love you and I will protect you when I can and when needed.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

AI music threatens creativity

The Soul of Sound: How AI Challenges Human Expression in Music

679456
Humans and robots face off in a rock band battle with guitars and drums, under dynamic lighting.
StableDiffusion

In an age where artificial intelligence can mimic the voice of Freddie Mercury or reimagine pop hits as synthwave ballads, a new frontier has emerged — one that blurs the line between innovation and erosion. While AI offers undeniable benefits in technical domains, its intrusion into creative arts, especially music, raises urgent questions. Not just about copyright, but about culture, education, and the very soul of artistic expression.


Keep Reading...Show less
ai generated music
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

Miami University
1014853
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
music
Entertainment

Why Your Astrological Sign May Not Match Your Personality

We are all more than just one sign.

SUNY Plattsburgh
933097
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
astrology
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

UNC Greensboro
928714
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
spring
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

Sacred Heart University
1297186
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
good person

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments