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xiphiasLike all examples of white privilege, this was an example of things going the way they should go, in an absolutely unremarkable way, and I didn't notice it as white privilege until afterward, when I thought about it.
So, I was outside in my front yard, attacking the weeds. Now, when I say, "attacking the weeds", I mean that I had a sword and a hatchet, and was trying to hack through the undergrowth. I'm basically trying to clear enough space to put up a sukkah in a couple weeks. I had a sword because I don't have a machete, but I was using it as a machete. Mostly, I like the weeds -- we have a meadow in our yard, but we will need to put up a sukkah, and we need a place to do so.
So, a police officer comes up and asks if I'm actually doing yard work with a sword, and I confirm that, yes, that is exactly what I'm doing, and show him the sword. He says that a couple people walking by were a little worried by that, and so asked him to check it out, and I say that, if I'm worrying people, I'll go do something else, and he says that that won't be necessary, he just wanted to make sure that I wasn't some psycho or something, and have a nice day and go ahead and continue to do yard work with a sword.
As in all examples of "white privilege", what happened was precisely what should happen. People saw a potential situation, the police checked out the potential situation, discovered that it wasn't a problem, and everything was cool. Everyone acted appropriately and reasonably.
But I started to wonder what would have happened if I was black, Latino, or Middle Eastern, for instance. If the police officer who came up recognized me, and knew that I lived in that house, I think that about the same thing would have happened. But if the officer didn't know me (as this officer didn't), there might have been more difficulty. But I was afforded the presumption that I belonged there, and the officer entered the scene expecting that I might be eccentric, but was not dangerous. The officer was entirely correct in this, and that's what "white privilege" means.
So, I was outside in my front yard, attacking the weeds. Now, when I say, "attacking the weeds", I mean that I had a sword and a hatchet, and was trying to hack through the undergrowth. I'm basically trying to clear enough space to put up a sukkah in a couple weeks. I had a sword because I don't have a machete, but I was using it as a machete. Mostly, I like the weeds -- we have a meadow in our yard, but we will need to put up a sukkah, and we need a place to do so.
So, a police officer comes up and asks if I'm actually doing yard work with a sword, and I confirm that, yes, that is exactly what I'm doing, and show him the sword. He says that a couple people walking by were a little worried by that, and so asked him to check it out, and I say that, if I'm worrying people, I'll go do something else, and he says that that won't be necessary, he just wanted to make sure that I wasn't some psycho or something, and have a nice day and go ahead and continue to do yard work with a sword.
As in all examples of "white privilege", what happened was precisely what should happen. People saw a potential situation, the police checked out the potential situation, discovered that it wasn't a problem, and everything was cool. Everyone acted appropriately and reasonably.
But I started to wonder what would have happened if I was black, Latino, or Middle Eastern, for instance. If the police officer who came up recognized me, and knew that I lived in that house, I think that about the same thing would have happened. But if the officer didn't know me (as this officer didn't), there might have been more difficulty. But I was afforded the presumption that I belonged there, and the officer entered the scene expecting that I might be eccentric, but was not dangerous. The officer was entirely correct in this, and that's what "white privilege" means.
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(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-18 03:31 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-18 03:42 pm (UTC)Oh, so how does one cut weeds with a sword? I can't imagine that's very easy considering a sword wouldn't be parallel with the ground (unless you're squatting down).
(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-18 03:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-18 04:41 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-18 04:43 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-18 05:01 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-18 05:03 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-18 03:46 pm (UTC)Machettes are essential gardening tools, in my experience. I lack a hatchet these days, but always have a machette tucked away.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-18 03:49 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-18 07:18 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-18 03:50 pm (UTC)Re: yeah, yeah!
Date: 2006-09-18 07:53 pm (UTC)*Sigh*
Date: 2006-09-18 04:05 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-18 04:35 pm (UTC)Rainy Parades
Date: 2006-09-18 05:46 pm (UTC)Consider that every contact between law enforcement and the citizenry is recorded. If he drove up, I'll bet he was sitting in his car afterwards (either in front of your house or down the street) making a note of the encounter, which gets duly recorded back at the station. Remember that evrery contact gets recorded, even the innocent ones -- the police never know when their first impressions may be horribly wrong (eg what if you really were a mad slasher posing as an upright citizen. Wouldn't be the first time, would it?
First time's a "gimme". Second time you'll prbably get noted as a "suspicious character". Third time and you might have a real problem. Also, consider that any time someone wants to dig up some dirt on you, besides rabble rouser, they can now add "sword swinging in public", which is part of the public record down at your local Police station. Think what the media will do with that, if they ever need it.
Sorry to rain on your parade like that. Might be prudent to check with your friendly local gendarmerie before you make an assumption that nothing else happened.
dod
Re: Rainy Parades
Date: 2006-09-18 05:48 pm (UTC)My question is...
Date: 2006-09-18 06:15 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-18 08:33 pm (UTC)Kiralee
(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-18 09:33 pm (UTC)so call?
Duzzy
(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-19 01:16 am (UTC)The fact that you thought about it is one of the many reasons I like you. So is the fact that your problem-solving included a sword.