The weird thing is that I took some gender studies courses and none of the professors or the students in my class behaved that way. The privilege clubbing is done entirely outside the scope of the classroom.
Don’t even get me started on “mo-dair-nity.”
Not sure if this counts but … Some months ago I attended a “foreclosure clinic” run by the UW Law school. Law students under the supervision of real lawyers offered advice and assistance to people like me who were threatened with or undergoing foreclosure.
The day I went there were only a couple of other people there, so I got a professor and two students all to myself. The professor just couldn’t or wouldn’t get out of “professor mode”. I would ask something like “Why is this this way?” and he would reply with “Why do you THINK this is this way?” And this went on and on – I asked half a dozen questions and he kept asking what I thought the answers were. And I would have to guess an answer and then he would tell me how good or bad my answer was.
Finally I had enough and I said “You know, I’m not your student and this isn’t a classroom. What’s the answer?” The two students were both kind of shocked and suppressing laughter – clearly they were amused that I wasn’t intimidated by the guy.
Of course I had been intimidated. I just got over it real fast once I figured out he was doing some kind of role playing, either for his own ego or to teach, er, something to his students.
Manda JO, you’re one of my favorite posters… but I have a mini-rant about the pejorative lens through which you view Ed.D. holders in the “people calling themselves Dr.” thread. 
Odesio, you get where I’m coming from. Completely. I am someone who writes and researches privilege, and even - wait for it - microaggressions! But “check your privilege” makes me want to smack the shit out of the person saying it. Privilege, especially White and/or male privileged is also veiled. To make people aware of when privilege obfuscates or masks understanding someone’s experience, I can’t think of many worse ways to start this discussion.
Boyo Jim - Socratic method. Lots of law profs teach this way; it’s a hard habit to break. I have a few colleagues who have joint appointments in law in my department. They’re great people but every so often they slip into this mode…
I know. But it’s incredibly annoying when I’m feeling in rather desperate straits to begin with, and I need answers, and instead I’m playing 20 fucking questions.
He did seem to think I was a reasonably bright pupil 'til I called off the game.
Could it have been inspired by “West Side Story?”
Frankly, your beef is with A&M Commerce, not me.
But I have tremendous respect for the work you all do in Austin. The best teacher I work with came out of your department, and I know he learned a tremendous amount. You’ve done fantastic stuff. But you have to admit, there is more . . . range . . . among Ed.d’s than among some other types of programs.
I’ve seen a great deal of discussion of privilege, rape culture, social justice, ableism, transphobia, transmisogyny, “queer-baiting”, slut shaming, things being “heteronormative”, being “cis” (cisgendered)…etc. on Tumblr.
I’ve had to adjust my blacklist on Tumblr Savior accordingly. Not because discussion of these things are bad, but because they take up so much energy.
In addition, since I am cis (identify with my biological gender) and heterosexual, I’m a bit hurt when non-cis people attack people who are cis. I don’t have a problem with how you identify or who you love - Why are you attacking me???
Also, if anyone in real life told me to “check my privilege” we would have a definite problem.
From what I have gathered in my institution, the phrase “check your privilege” is not used in order to facilitate a discussion of privilege, or to make anyone actually aware that they may be speaking through a lens of privilege.
From what I have observed, it is used for two reasons:
- To show that the user is one of the “in group” who knows how to use cool terms.
- To shut down discussion and in particular to shut up a particular speaker or group of speakers. Essentially, I have seen it used to mean “white males may not speak at any time. Go away.”
Jack-Who do get to not think of as individuals? Minorities or the majority?
You forgot
…well-hung, rich, physically fit, and in conformity with fashions. It also helps to be continually up-to-date on the latest gossip. 
Skill, talent, intelligence ability, and effort are irrelevant, of course. :eek:
—G???
I guess it depends on what part of life you want made a whole lot easier.
Just pick the right parents and you’ll be fine.
[I knew I forgot to do something before I started! :smack:]
I knew this thread would be about privilege.
If anyone says any variation of “check your privilege” I assume they’re trolling/harassing for a reaction/shaming and completely disengage with them.
My immediate reaction to the finger snapping would be to roll my eyes, but it sounds perfectly fine and reasonable in principle.