mary leong

Jun 04

One of the ironies of white racial identity is that white Americans tend to see themselves in non-racial terms, as the norm against which all other groups are compared. This perception of whiteness as “normal” distances all other groups and reinforces the power relationships that have been imbedded in U.S. society since colonial days. Whites regard themselves as “just people” and see only “others” as having race.

For example, in causal discussions and everyday conversations, whites often mention the race of non-whites, even when racial identities are not relevant to the story. For example, a white American might say, “This black guy asked me for directions to city hall,” identifying race even though it plays no particular role in the anecdote. When people are not identified by their race (“This guy asked me for directions to city hall.”), the assumption is that they are white: normal people who need not further description.

This view places whites in a highly privileged status. “Other people are raced, we are just people”…. There is no more powerful position than that of being ‘just’ human. The claim to power is the claim to speak for the commonality of humanity. Raced people can’t do that—they only speak for their own race.

Just as whites tend to be unaware of their racial identity, they also tend to be unaware of the privileges that attend “whiteness.” Sociologist Peggy McIntosh notes that whites (like men) are reluctant to acknowledge their privilege vis-à-vis non-whites (women). This denial is a way of protecting the privilege—if it doesn’t exist, it doesn’t have to be explained, examined, or defended.

” — Joseph F. Healey, Diversity and Society: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender

(Source: humanformat, via colbyjackcunt)

Jun 03

Story of my life, part 103276087392

Jun 02

Aaron Tveit and Eddie Redmayne as revolutionaries Enjolras and Marius on the set of “Les Miserables”
terrible image quality, but ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Aaron Tveit and Eddie Redmayne as revolutionaries Enjolras and Marius on the set of “Les Miserables”

terrible image quality, but ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh


The Perks of Being a Wallflower official movie poster

so beautiful

The Perks of Being a Wallflower official movie poster

so beautiful

(via saturdays)

[video]

(Source: catsandcorgis, via fluffy-kittens)

“I’m fairly certain YOLO is just Carpe Diem for stupid people.” —

Jack Black 

Love this. 

(Source: flightsarecheaperonwednesday, via butwordsarewind)

Tweeted about this a while back, but INFOGRAPHIC!

Tweeted about this a while back, but INFOGRAPHIC!

(Source: think-progress, via rabbleprochoice)

Jun 01

(Source: standupfordownthere)

(Source: thedailywhat)