Australian Politics Forum - Being privileged

John Smith

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Being privileged
Feb 15^th, 2016 at 9:29pm

I once saw a high school teacher lead a simple, powerful exercise to teach his class about privilege and social mobility. He started by giving each student a scrap piece of paper and asked them to crumple it up.

Then he moved the recycling bin to the front of the room.

He said, “The game is simple — you all represent the country’s population. And everyone in the country has a chance to become wealthy and move into the upper class.”

“To move into the upper class, all you must do is throw your wadded-up paper into the bin while sitting in your seat.”

The students in the back of the room immediately piped up, “This is unfair!” They could see the rows of students in front of them had a much better chance.

Everyone took their shots, and — as expected — most of the students in the front made it (but not all) and only a few students in the back of the room made it.

He concluded by saying, “The closer you were to the recycling bin, the better your odds. This is what privilege looks like. Did you notice how the only ones who complained about fairness were in the back of the room?”

"By contrast, people in the front of the room were less likely to be aware of the privilege they were born into. All they can see is 10 feet between them and their goal.”

"Your job — as students who are receiving an education — is to be aware of your privilege. And use this particular privilege called “education” to do your best to achieve great things, all the while advocating for those in the rows behind you.”

Nathan W. Pyle

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Our esteemed leader:
I hope that bitch who was running their brothels for them gets raped with a cactus.

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Grappler Deep State Feller Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 84980 Always was always will be HOME Gender:	Re: Being privileged Reply #1 - Feb 15^th, 2016 at 10:28pm Good one....
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Postmodern Trendoid III

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Re: Being privileged
Reply #2 - Feb 16^th, 2016 at 12:27am

John Smith wrote on Feb 15^th, 2016 at 9:29pm:

I once saw a high school teacher lead a simple, powerful exercise to teach his class about privilege and social mobility. He started by giving each student a scrap piece of paper and asked them to crumple it up.

Then he moved the recycling bin to the front of the room.

He said, “The game is simple — you all represent the country’s population. And everyone in the country has a chance to become wealthy and move into the upper class.”

“To move into the upper class, all you must do is throw your wadded-up paper into the bin while sitting in your seat.”

The students in the back of the room immediately piped up, “This is unfair!” They could see the rows of students in front of them had a much better chance.

Everyone took their shots, and — as expected — most of the students in the front made it (but not all) and only a few students in the back of the room made it.

He concluded by saying, “The closer you were to the recycling bin, the better your odds. This is what privilege looks like. Did you notice how the only ones who complained about fairness were in the back of the room?”

"By contrast, people in the front of the room were less likely to be aware of the privilege they were born into. All they can see is 10 feet between them and their goal.”

"Your job — as students who are receiving an education — is to be aware of your privilege. And use this particular privilege called “education” to do your best to achieve great things, all the while advocating for those in the rows behind you.”

Nathan W. Pyle

When the upper and middle class trendy lefties stop drinking their expensive wines and boutique beers, holidaying overseas, buying European cars, buying suburban mansions, and start donating their own time and money to those in need, then I'll 'check my privilege'.

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The Heartless Felon Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 2869 Gender:	Re: Being privileged Reply #3 - Feb 16^th, 2016 at 4:15am When I went to school, the dills always sat at the back of the class...
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Bias_2012 Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 10766 Gender:	Re: Being privileged Reply #4 - Feb 16^th, 2016 at 4:55am I understood high school education is compulsory, rather than a privilege. That's how it was when I attended high school
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sir prince duke alevine

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Re: Being privileged
Reply #5 - Feb 16^th, 2016 at 5:09am

Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on Feb 16^th, 2016 at 12:27am:

John Smith wrote on Feb 15^th, 2016 at 9:29pm:

I once saw a high school teacher lead a simple, powerful exercise to teach his class about privilege and social mobility. He started by giving each student a scrap piece of paper and asked them to crumple it up.

Then he moved the recycling bin to the front of the room.

He said, “The game is simple — you all represent the country’s population. And everyone in the country has a chance to become wealthy and move into the upper class.”

“To move into the upper class, all you must do is throw your wadded-up paper into the bin while sitting in your seat.”

The students in the back of the room immediately piped up, “This is unfair!” They could see the rows of students in front of them had a much better chance.

Everyone took their shots, and — as expected — most of the students in the front made it (but not all) and only a few students in the back of the room made it.

He concluded by saying, “The closer you were to the recycling bin, the better your odds. This is what privilege looks like. Did you notice how the only ones who complained about fairness were in the back of the room?”

"By contrast, people in the front of the room were less likely to be aware of the privilege they were born into. All they can see is 10 feet between them and their goal.”

"Your job — as students who are receiving an education — is to be aware of your privilege. And use this particular privilege called “education” to do your best to achieve great things, all the while advocating for those in the rows behind you.”

Nathan W. Pyle

When the upper and middle class trendy lefties stop drinking their expensive wines and boutique beers, holidaying overseas, buying European cars, buying suburban mansions, and start donating their own time and money to those in need, then I'll 'check my privilege'.

What do you have against wine and beer, doc? Are you suggesting people should enjoy wine or beer if they intend to advocate for a fair society? How does that remotely make any sense?

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Disclaimer for Mothra per POST so it is forever acknowledged: Saying 'Islam' or 'Muslims' doesn't mean ALL muslims. This does not target individual muslims who's opinion I am not aware of.

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Gnads Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 29811 Gender:	Re: Being privileged Reply #6 - Feb 16^th, 2016 at 6:53am Bias_2012 wrote on Feb 16^th, 2016 at 4:55am: I understood high school education is compulsory, rather than a privilege. That's how it was when I attended high school Whilst it may have been only compulsory to the recalcitrants it was actually a privilege to the rest who benefited from a free education.
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John Smith

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Re: Being privileged
Reply #7 - Feb 16^th, 2016 at 7:23am

Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on Feb 16^th, 2016 at 12:27am:

When the upper and middle class trendy lefties stop drinking their expensive wines and boutique beers, holidaying overseas, buying European cars, buying suburban mansions, and start donating their own time and money to those in need, then I'll 'check my privilege'.

who asked you to 'check' your privileges?

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Our esteemed leader:
I hope that bitch who was running their brothels for them gets raped with a cactus.

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double plus good Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 5693 Gender:	Re: Being privileged Reply #8 - Feb 16^th, 2016 at 10:37am Maybe you could offer some refos a couple of your rentals, rent free, eh Slumlord? You know, just to help out some of the people at the back of the room.
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John Smith Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 74862 Gender:	Re: Being privileged Reply #9 - Feb 16^th, 2016 at 11:31am double plus good wrote on Feb 16^th, 2016 at 10:37am: Maybe you could offer some refos a couple of your rentals, rent free, eh Slumlord? You know, just to help out some of the people at the back of the room. you probably thought that sounded clever
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bogarde73 Gold Member Offline Anti-Global & Contra Mundum Posts: 18443 Gender:	Re: Being privileged Reply #10 - Feb 16^th, 2016 at 11:39am Perhaps things go in cycles. From being relatively egalitarian - and prior to that hierarchical - our society has moved again to the inequality & privilege end of the scale.
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President Elect, The Mechanic Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 17501 Gender:	Re: Being privileged Reply #11 - Feb 16^th, 2016 at 12:46pm that's a good one john.. but its a shame its a bit too late for you though.. and the other welfare bums on the forum like LTYC, Gweegy, Mothballs etc..
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President Elect, The Mechanic Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 17501 Gender:	Re: Being privileged Reply #12 - Feb 16^th, 2016 at 12:47pm and not forgetting kat...
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Marla Gold Member Offline Weed is my Jesus Posts: 13673 Colorado Gender:	Re: Being privileged Reply #13 - Feb 16^th, 2016 at 12:54pm Capitalism. Yay.
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double plus good Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 5693 Gender:	Re: Being privileged Reply #14 - Feb 16^th, 2016 at 12:56pm Extreme capitalism is destroying the world. How can the majority be happy when a capitalist system looks after a tiny percentage??
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