Social Justice Event - Shirley Wilcher

           On March 18th, I attended a Social Justice Event which was hosted by Shirley Wilcher, Executive Director of the American Association for Access. She spoke of affirmative action and the "Age of Inclusion," a time we are living in as people of different ethnicity are attempting to obtain jobs held particularly by people that are white and mostly males. This reminded me of the first reading we had in class, "Privilege, Power and Difference" by Allan Johnson. I was reminded of the term "white privilege" and I felt it was very applicable here. Jobs that have been held by white males for years are now opening up to people of different color which is a great start. Wilcher touched on this subject, saying that  if a white person and a person of color both applied for the same job, chances are it would go to the white person simply based on appearance and not on background skills or talents. People on the street talk of white privilege in this video.

          Wilcher also commented on this Age of Inclusion not only includes people of color, but people with disabilities and the LGBT community as well. This reminds me of "Speaking the Unspeakable in Forbidden Places" by Allan et. all. This reading challenges the fact that many schools don't teach about gayness at a young age, causing unfair stigmas against gays at an older age. I feel this directly relates to Wilcher and The Age of Inclusion. Many of these people not hiring gays were not taught at a young age that they are equal to everyone else. I feel like if this topic was taught at a young age many gays would be more openly accepted into society and more likely to achieve positions of power within the jobs they wish to receive. This short film explores the idea if the world was primarily gay and that straight would be the minority.

           Another group that Wilcher spoke of that are now being accepted into jobs are women. Women have gone years without holding positions of power, and not until only recently have they received these jobs. They still hold positions that make less than men, but it is a good start nonetheless. This reminded me of a quote from "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" by Peggy McIntosh. "13. I can speak in public to a powerful male group without putting my race on trial" (2). While this is more applicable to a non-white person, I felt that speaking to a group of powerful males was applicable to women in general. This is an advantage of white privilege and I found it related to what Wilcher was speaking of. I'm sure that many women are very nervous when it comes to these interviews. Wilcher also commented that one woman in particular applying for a powerful position was told that the job was "dirty" and "she wouldn't like it." Wilcher said in response to this that it was unfair for the male interviewer to say this to the female interviewee, claiming that it would be disheartening to hear this and that she was discouraged to pursue the job. This video explores the topic of gender equality.