Ther matrix of domination: Using priviilege to uplift communities. | Dimpho Thepa | TEDxUCT

Summary

In this thought-provoking talk, the speaker explores the concept of privilege through personal anecdotes and the lens of intersectionality. They challenge the binary perception of privilege, emphasizing its multifaceted nature and the importance of recognizing and utilizing one's social capital responsibly. The speaker's journey from a rural upbringing to a university education highlights the fluidity of privilege and the potential for growth when it is acknowledged and leveraged effectively.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and understanding privilege in the context of global social movements fighting for human dignity and integrity.
• 🤔 The concept of privilege is uncomfortable for many, but it's crucial to confront one's own privilege to foster empathy and social change.
• 🏡 The speaker's personal story illustrates the complexity of privilege, being raised by grandparents in a rural area without immediate access to education, yet benefiting from better educational opportunities later.
• 📚 Privilege is not an either/or situation; it exists on a spectrum and is influenced by various factors such as race, class, gender, and more.
• 👥 Intersectionality, a concept by Kimberlé Crenshaw, is highlighted as a framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of identity and experience.
• 🍊 An anecdote about selling oranges in the speaker's community underscores the importance of social capital and how privilege can vary across different contexts.
• 🏢 The speaker acknowledges their own privilege, such as attending better schools and having access to resources, which contributed to their current position.
• 🍰 The metaphor of a cake is used to explain intersectionality, where individual aspects of a person's identity combine to form a whole, much like the ingredients of a cake.
• 👥 The speaker discusses the idea of positionality, suggesting that privilege is about where one stands in relation to various social structures.
• 🤝 Recognizing privilege can lead to a sense of responsibility and action, as the speaker reflects on what they can do with their own privilege.
• 🌟 The speaker concludes by identifying themselves as privileged and encourages the audience to be aware of their own privileges and how they can use them positively.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's talk?

The main theme of the speaker's talk is the concept of privilege, its complexities, and how it operates in various aspects of life.

Why does the speaker mention various social movements like Black Lives Matter and Fees Must Fall?

The speaker mentions these movements to illustrate that people are fighting for their integrity and humanity, and to emphasize that what might seem unnecessary to some could be a matter of dignity for others.

What personal background does the speaker share to highlight their own experience with privilege?

The speaker shares that they were raised by grandparents in a rural area without schools, had to attend boarding schools, and experienced a sense of disequilibrium due to their rural background compared to their urban classmates.

How does the speaker describe the concept of privilege?

The speaker describes privilege not as an either/or situation but as something that exists in varying degrees, similar to height, where everyone has some level of privilege.

What is the connection between privilege and intersectionality as discussed by the speaker?

The speaker connects privilege and intersectionality by explaining that understanding a person's multiple experiences—such as race, class, gender, and more—helps in recognizing the complexity of privilege in their lives.

What is the significance of the speaker's story about selling oranges?

The story about selling oranges illustrates the concept of social capital and how the speaker's privilege in one area (attending better schools) did not translate to social capital in their home community for selling oranges.

Why is the speaker's grandfather's response important in the context of privilege?

The grandfather's response is important because it highlights the idea that privilege is context-specific and that the speaker lacked the social capital necessary to sell oranges in their community.

What are some examples of unrecognized privileges that the speaker lists?

Examples include being able to express romantic affection in public, accessing private healthcare, having public holidays for one's religion, coming from a background that encourages asking for help, and being addressed with the correct pronouns.

What are the three consequences the speaker mentions for not recognizing one's privilege?

The consequences are: 1) the potential to abuse privilege, 2) limiting one's potential by focusing on what one lacks instead of what one has, and 3) committing microaggressions due to a lack of awareness.

How does the speaker conclude their talk?

The speaker concludes by acknowledging their own privilege, introducing themselves as Dimple Randall Atiba, and thanking the audience for attending.