Another Sunday Scribblings post. I've never felt the desire to be powerful, maybe because I'm a British bloke and we take a certain amount of power for granted; around the world emasculated groups (essentially anyone who is not white, male, christian, middle class, straight and vaguely 'western') on the other hand are more interested in the concept of power, as it is something that they have to struggle with every day in our global society. I remember years ago in South Africa hearing the anti-Apartheid protesters singing 'Amandla', which, apparently doesn't mean 'freedom' interestingly enough, it means 'power'.
So those who don't have power, well I wouldn't necessarily say they 'crave' it, but it would seem to be a nagging itch that could be seen as a panacea; if only I had the power to change my world, what a wonderful world it would be. Well, from one white westerner to, well, whatever form you come in, it doesn't really help. It just means you have more responsibility, more decisions to make and more people to disappoint. It weighs heavily...
About Me
- Anttix
- I don't have a 'thing' that defines my life and being. Some have photography, poetry, sports or the environment. Until I find my 'thing' I guess I will be somewhat directionless. I am therefore intermittently entertaining, but mostly just miserable. And good at sleeping. Oh, and do please leave a comment every now and again.
7 comments:
'if only I had the power to change my world, what a wonderful world it would be'--I agree with this really meaning to take more responsibility and try to make good choices. Tall order, that.
Nicely written.
"if only I had the power to change my world, what a wonderful world it would be. "
It is not impossible though it might seem so. One lone man can move things.
Gandhi did.
those of is who have some degree of accidental power (through being white, educated, Western, whatever) shouldn't take it for granted though, because we can use it for good. We do have the power and should use it wisely
i could have lived the life i have led i believe as a person of any race creed or color... but i wonder if i would have maintained the great amount of personal power had i not been a white american female....
thank you for brining this thought to the fore.. as i love to delve ever deeper into my own psyche....
I am aware of the power imparted by being white, American and middle class. I am aware because of my work ( mortgages, it is amazing how many women think they canot get a mortgage or how many minorites are denied mortgages) my politics, and my experience.
And I agree with all of you, those of us with accidental power need to use it for the good of others.
Very nicely done.
Being a white American, albiet a female, I do have a degree of power that others don't. I would be happy to share. But I fear some who want power don't want to share it.
Power can be good or not. I enjoyed reading your post - it's surely a provocative piece!
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