The night before the track’s release, I spoke with two people who were involved in making it. The anxiety over how the nonwhites would perceive the song was understood and valid, but still nothing short of adorable. So, what’d they ask you? Wait, they hit you up about that, too? No one seemed to be insulted or taken aback it was just funny. The day before the song was released, “White Privilege II” emails were beginning to be traded. I don’t know everyone who got a stream, but none of the people I knew who did were white. A handful of people were sent early streams of the song by Macklemore’s reps. The song is filled with scenes, from Macklemore struggling to figure out his role as a protester, to Macklemore playing the role of his critics, to Macklemore playing the part of his fans, some of whom have misguided opinions on the world. ![]() The almost-nine-minute track is the follow-up to his 2005 song “White Privilege,” but to call it a sequel would be an oversimplification - it’s like graduating from high school and then graduating from college. It was Clinton’s answer that raced back into my head when I first heard the song “White Privilege II” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, on January 20, two days before its official release. ![]() And even though her answer was messy, at least she avoided the three most common pitfalls in discussing one’s own white privilege: pretending it doesn’t exist, saying it only applies to “some” white people (i.e., not them), and trying too hard to convince other people that they “get it.” In that moment, we got raw Hillary Clinton, someone who still has a long way to go in dealing with white privilege, just like the majority of white people - and the majority of privileged people in general. But even a clean, highly mulled-over answer to a question like this - the right answer - wouldn’t necessarily mean someone has actually dealt with her or his own privilege. It was like watching someone try to hit a home run, only to strike out after realizing mid-swing that they’ve never played baseball. But there was something refreshingly honest and earnest in her attempt. Clinton’s response could be described as “a collection of words.” While long, her answer was not good clearly caught off-guard, she told a rambling story about babysitting for migrant farmers that ran out the clock but didn’t really connect with the question she was asked. White privilege even made its way into the presidential race, when Hillary Clinton was asked in a forum what white privilege means to her and how she’s benefited from it. The chatter has continued into February, most notably around how brash black and white quarterbacks are judged differently, in both success and failure. From DeRay Mckesson teaching Stephen Colbert about the concept on The Late Show to Mark Ruffalo considering a boycott of this year’s very white Academy Awards on the basis of said privilege, it’s seeping into most corners of society, and quickly. Watching this happen is exciting, but also overwhelming in the way it is whenever a new idea is introduced to the mainstream. ![]() Seemingly each day meant another story about white privilege in the news. Well, my point is - don't judge the book by the cover pretty much.For the duration of January 2016, it was the foremost topic of conversation. Mine didn't although whole life they worked hard and honest as well. Some people get just more luck - one good aquaintance and her parents got an offer to work abroad in the 80s, which was a good start. And I had a friend who came from a rich family - she was a very good and nice person. I can't say I wasn't a happy child - poverty has not diminished our family love. I come from a poor family, where we have had problems with basic needs and I remember days when we ate only bread with butter and onion, cause we couldn't afford. I know it won't change, but we all should try to know the person and learn their history before saying "He is a walking success" or "He is a lazy dumbass". I think that judgeing people's status basing on what they currently do/achieved is getting more and more false nowadays. Upvotes Follow Unfollow 6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |