...Not My Proudest Moment

[@miacoss9809]

Vlogbrothers schedule (kinda): John: Video about his life Hank: Video on same topic because they're BROTHERS John: Video about poetry/football/both Hank: CUTE ANIMAL VID *repeats*

[@someguy7567]

Mia Coss I look forward to John’s video on Tuesday about football.

[@GiladZinman]

Mr Temporal oh those were the days

[@renlish]

They're so delightfully different.

[@danstiver9135]

Hank kicked a locker door right off it’s hinges as a kid... MUSCLE HANK IS REAL!😱

[@vlogbrothers]

I've always been pretty big! Also, I think they were not the best lockers.

[@nixtheclause9984]

@vlogbrothers hank you’re not _that_ tall

[@mihirmutalikdesai]

@@vlogbrothers How tall are you exactly? 🤔

[@Payhellbay]

@@mihirmutalikdesai One is 6' and the other is 6'1" but both brothers are as tall as each other...

[@juzoli]

Goo Lagoon Incredible Hank

[@thesamuelbutler]

“Sometimes racism is just that a white kid looks different to you kicking the door off a locker than a black kid does.” This is something I struggle with personally, and I think it’s something all of us struggle with to varying degrees. It can be super hard to recognize when your biases are showing, and often it takes people calling you out. The first step is acknowledging the existence of bias and recognizing its power, but the second step of discovering your biases is difficult and requires a lot of humility. No one likes to be called racist, but it’s something we need all need to take seriously.

[@SayHelloHelli]

Samuel Butler I totally recommend attack the block. Takes a similar look at racism and how we see a white kid and think they’re a child who needs protecting but we see a black kid and we dont see a child, we see an aggressor.

[@thesamuelbutler]

HeyHay Ok thanks, I’ll check it out!

[@laismariano5293]

There's also an episode from It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia called "the gang turns black" that i strongly recommend. There's no spoilers from the show (in case you ever want to watch it) and it's amazing. There's so scenes like that, white people pushing up a car vs black people, etc.

[@touisbetterthanpi]

I feel like something that’s helped me work through my biases is when I see someone black do something that bugs or upsets me, especially if it’s not clearly hurting anyone, but instead feels like it’s violating the social contract in some abstract way, I imagine a white person doing the exact same thing and try to just react to that image. More often than I’d like to admit, the only thing they’re doing is being different in my overwhelmingly white town. The cure for this seems to be just more exposure, which I’ve thankfully been getting much more of by taking classes at a wonderfully diverse community college.

[@MattVaudrey]

Samuel Butler +

[@raychumon]

this is actually making me re-evaluate some of my experiences in school, as a white person who also used to "get away" with that kind of behaviour. thank you, hank.

[@ruthlynam7380]

+

[@AstraIVagabond]

@Solderben Oh, relatable. I had some other thoughts on this that I'd like to elaborate on but can't right now... because of, you know, a disability. :')

[@AstraIVagabond]

But, for the record... I think it's a bit of an oversimplification to say you _shouldn't_ have passed those classes. When the way the entire system happens to be structured is one that makes it harder for you to exist, the occasional charity is a correction in the direction of fairness.

[@lyreparadox]

+

[@alwaysyouramanda]

Dimitri LK wow, yeah. As soon as my appearance went to hell, my academic “performance” did too. What suffered, was me.

[@McMomfaceplustwo]

I think some of the problem is this weird assumption people have that if you have a lot then you’ve done something to deserve it and if you have very little, then it must be a moral failing or laziness. I think it’s an especially American problem since the country was based on hard work being the way to wealth after leaving the monarchy. People forget or never realize that some are born with more without ever doing anything. More might be money or a better place in society ‘s perception. I was also a lazy student that got by in good grades and being a white girl. Sure I faced diversity in college science classes, but till then I was basically cruising through life.

[@3countylaugh]

I'm going to quibble... The MYTH of the US and perhaps most of the Americas id's that it was hard work that built these countries. When really it was theft. That myth is super strong.

[@thesamuelbutler]

+

[@McMomfaceplustwo]

3countylaugh I totally agree it’s a myth, but it’s a prevalent myth that has wound its way into the minds of many.

[@heatherstock4491]

The “boot straps” fallacy is still so prevalent and seems to be particularly American. As someone working in the non-profit I see the particularly cruel effects.

[@LLCCB]

+

[@laurelrhinehardt5160]

“I’d go sleep in the band room.” Oh the nostalgia!

[@readysteadywhoa]

I thought the same thing when he mentioned Steel toed Docs 😆

[@soulstealingginger3612]

They put windows on the practice room doors, so we stopped having that pleasure

[@calichef1962]

@TheSoulStealingGinger-- Our practice room door always had glass windows in the top third. We would just go into the room across the hallway, get a marching band uniform (in it's zippered vinyl suit bag) and hang it on the inside of the door, over the window. Lots of things went on in those practice rooms that probably would have had adults up in arms. But, we band kids were pretty smart, didn't take a lot of chances with our future and managed to never get caught.

[@angierose1076]

Laurel Rhinehardt same but for me it was theater black box

[@jessilaine7999]

The debate room couch

[@AnnabelleLeeTx]

As a brown girl this made my blood boil. Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!! I brown person would have been put in juvenile detention for that!. I knew white people had privilege but I didnt know the words in high school. I was just all ragey. Having to be saint-like and ragey was not a great combo for me. Anyway thanks for this Hank. You didnt have to tell us this but you did. And you explained it well. Wish you were around when I was in school

[@skylerwitherspoon]

+

[@AnnabelleLeeTx]

"The less you have the more society is ok with exploiting or punishing you or just giving up on you.." I felt that. Deep 😔

[@dshe8637]

Absolutely 👍

[@genessab]

+

[@herranton]

I'm not so sure that I agree that it is racist to see a white kid kicking a locker differently than a black kid. (and keep in mind, I said I'm not so sure, I haven't made up my mind, and I don't know if I ever will... Hear me out, and excuse my bluntness for the sake of brevity). Back when I was waiting tables no one ever wanted to wait on the black customers. They have a reputation for not tipping. This isn't me that says this, this is every server ever, even black ones... Especially black ones. One day I made it my mission to figure out why this was. I was 17 and thought I could do anything. I started taking all the black people tables. And I started asking them, why don't black people tip? This went over quite a bit like you would expect, with both my mangers and the customers. But over time I figured it out. Black people do tip. The difference is that they don't want to be waited on the same way white people want to be waited on. Black people want a servant, not a server. You have to anticipate. You have to have that straw on the table for their orange juice before they ask for it. You have to make for damn sure that steak is well done _the first time._ You wait on them hand me foot. Yes sir, yes ma'am, yes sir, I would love to get that for you. Of course you can have more mashed potatoes, I will drop everything and get that for you. *And you know what?* The tips started coming. You should see the other servers faces when you consistently get ten dollar bills from tables of black people. Sometimes biases lead you in the right direction. Maybe it isn't racist to see a black kid kicking a locker differently than a white kid. It is racist to use that bias to negatively against the black kid and positively for the white kid. If you made it this far, I'm sorry for my wall of text.

[@qnicole1679]

Wow I had almost exactly the same experience! I got off the hook for a load of admittedly terrible behavior in high school (mostly ditching classes constantly). At the time I thought I was really good at getting away with things and good at getting my teachers to sympathize with me, but now I look back at it as more of a combination of my teachers' overwhelming generosity and tendency toward forgiveness + the fact that I was a cis white girl + I had the privilege to be in AP & honors classes so in some sense I'd already "proved" myself. Taking the advantages I'd been given at face value was how I lived the first 18 years of my life, and I think never striving to look deeper is what causes people to morph into self-righteous "work hard and you'll make it" kind of people.

[@skylerwitherspoon]

Okay but when are you gonna tell us your most embarrassing story ever (the one John deleted from the pod to save you which I have been ENDLESSLY curious about ever since)

[@vlogbrothers]

....never???

[@lawrencecalablaster568]

vlogbrothers I desperately want to hear it- I've done far more embarrassing things, trust me.

[@CashColburn]

vlogbrothers rude

[@sahilmanoj5246]

i think this might be it

[@skylerwitherspoon]

@Annie Willows +++

[@CarolCamp]

“The more you have, the more people are wary of taking things from you. And the less you have, the more society is ok with exploiting you.” Damn... got some fun stuff to think about this fine morning!!!!

[@13pbarr]

Carol Camp it’s not true in the slightest though. At least the way I’ve seen growing up in this country the more you have the more people people want to take from you. Even if you busted your ass to get what you have people think that because you have more than them that you are somehow evil or had a leg up. It’s really unfortunate that poor people in this nation give up and blame society for “creating a system that prevents them from being successful.” The idea that if you’re poor your nation doesn’t care about you isn’t true and it’s very damaging to our society

[@joplaysukulelebadly4542]

Ferraricraft gaming you are looking in the wrong direction.

[@CarolCamp]

​@@13pbarr While I see where you're coming from, you just cannot deny the privilege that comes from being a white, middle-class dude in high school (in Hank's case). The point that he was trying to make is that racism, sexism, classism are embedded in our lives - he "got away" with so much because of those qualities, and he is acknowledging how different his experience could have been, if he didn't have them. Many people don't even get the chance to "bust their ass," because of the many ways in which they were denied opportunities, experiences, and respect. Underprivileged people will have to work twice (who are we kidding?) as hard to get the same amount of respect as others.

[@second0banana]

@@13pbarr I hear what you are saying and it is *marginally* true if the thing we are talking about taking away is only money. Because yes, the more money you have the more I expect you to financially contribute to the things that help our communities. But! I don't think Hank is talking about finances here. He is talking about power. About time. He is talking about physical labor. And for those things Hank is right on.

[@knz730]

Ferraricraft gaming you did have a leg up. Thats not a bad thing and doesn’t mean you didn’t also work really hard. But refusing to acknowledge your leg up and believing anyone could have done the same as you even though they won’t ever have a leg up is a bad thing. It means you will never acknowledge that people deserve help, and clearly your opinion of poor people reflects exactly that. It’s very sad that you are so unwilling to entertain the idea that your experience might be very different to someone else’s.

[@protoman21]

It's a weird thought that de-demonizing racists may actually be a good thing. People don't think they are monsters, so they can't be a racist, right? When in reality, racism is in all of us. We see someone and we make assumptions about them and thus we treat them differently. It is innate and unavoidable no matter what you may tell yourself, BUT that doesn't mean we shouldn't try and fight it and expose ourselves to more different people so that the THEM can slowly be demystified and maybe become part of US.

[@thesamuelbutler]

+

[@MisterAppleEsq]

As Avenue Q said, “everyone's a little bit racist”.

[@amandanance919]

+ I dare say that racism is only bad when one doesn’t realize their bias/assumptions and work to improve it

[@lyreparadox]

+

[@monkiram]

Exactly. I took a class in undergrad called the psychology of prejudice and it taught me so much. I'm not white, but until that class, I didn't pay much attention to racism (that's easier for a non-white person to do in Canada than in the States), and if you had asked me back then what I think about it, I would've said that people often make a bigger deal of it than it is. I a lot of what made me realize how serious it is was learning how intrinsic it is to all of us and how fundamentally ingrained in our human nature it is to want to categorize people easily (ie. without actually getting to know them first). And I learned how difficult it is to resist having these biases no matter how much you want to. I think it's important to learn that because our strategy is no longer "how can we make people stop being racist?" which sounds like we're calling specific people out and saying they're worse than others, but it becomes "how can we support people who are victims of the biases ingrained in our society?". I would say that of all the classes that I ever took, that one definitely changed my outlook on life the most.

[@AnnaAkana]

thought hank was gonna do a cover of my song smh

[@qmartin1997]

That would be a lovely cross-over.

[@church7089]

Not a sociologist, and only a semi-nihilistic psychologist, but there is some evidence to suggest that we are more willing to treat others poorly if, in our interpersonal dealings with them, they offer us less value than what we perceive ourselves to be worth. Essentially, aggression is the result of feeling like you got a bad deal (Sell, Tooby, & Cosmides, 2009). Those without resources are more likely to be perceived as giving us a raw deal. Thus, we may treat them poorer. Opposite goes for those with resources. Disclaimer: this model of aggression is not the absolute truth, but is instead probably one of many ways aggression may manifest. It just happens to theoretically apply to this question.

[@thesamuelbutler]

This is a really cool concept, it would make a lot of sense.

[@thesuccessfulone]

So that's why CEOs yell at interns - CEO perceives himself as "the company" and all its value while intern is unpaid and a mere cog and therefore has no value in comparison to CEO?

[@Beryllahawk]

Having been on the receiving end of this, it seems like a solid explanation.

[@amanatee27]

+

[@quilespiritu]

"All I wanted was to break the rules like you" - Janelle Monae, Crazy Classic Life

[@aparnamuthuthai8743]

THIS ALBUM DESERVES MORE ATTENTION IN THIS CONTEXT HOW CAN I UPVOTE THIS COMMENT MORE THAN ONCE

[@wes4439]

love janelle monae! ❤️

[@ruthlynam7380]

+

[@jennatic2628]

@@aparnamuthuthai8743 I was going to mindlessly pass it but I upvoted it because of your comment so hopefully that's how you upvote it more than once

[@starpasta]

++++++ Omg so true!

[@notquiteneutral2590]

Oh wow this went from a funny video to a really serious video... that was unexpected. I quite appreciate this video, it brings up a lot of really good points. Thank you Hank.

[@pixiepearls3]

+

[@austinfields7837]

Well then Ill assume you're new, welcome to Vlogbrothers and Nerdfighteria - you're always welcome here

[@notquiteneutral2590]

Oh... I’m not new... just making a dumb joke! But thanks for being such an accepting fan! I’ve been watching for quite a while and I love them :) but thanks for the warm welcome anywhooo! DFTBA

[@KatBaumgarten]

This is something that I study constantly in uni (I am graduating in Anthropology) The cycle of racism, how prejudices evolve, the changing values and how polarization is a tool against change. I love these kinds of videos, guys. Keep up the good work

[@joeirasm]

So please elaborate and enlighten us even more please!! :D

[@sighcantthinkofaname]

Prejudice in school can be so weird. I remember one girl complaining that thin girls didn't get dress coded nearly as much. It's nothing I ever noticed, but she was probably right.

[@purplefire2834]

I feel like that's less prejudice and more the fact that high schools have a lot of male teachers who can't really dress code girls without it looking weird. Also, at least to me, girls just have more variety in what clothes exist for them, which makes it harder to build a set of rules.

[@purplefire2834]

@@NeecyGG Fair point. I go to a school with a really strict dress code (limited colors/patterns, etc.) so I guess we have fewer issues than places where it's more about skirt length or stuff.

[@breebell468]

In my expirence thin tall girls would be dressed coded for things being too short (because they are tall) and thicker girls for other things because of their curves.

[@coena9377]

I knew a girl who actually tested this at her school. She and several other girls all wore the same outfits (on different days) and sure enough, the more overweight girls were dress coded more.

[@notquiteneutral2590]

HIGH SCHOOL HANK LOOKS WONDERFUL THANK YOU FOR THAT

[@DianaMcManaman]

the *hair.* the *braces.* the *rings.*

[@notquiteneutral2590]

*~I K N O W~*

[@mrclueuin]

Cute and Lanky even as a youth! 😊

[@mashgate4life]

I feel like I still look like that in 2019 😂

[@notquiteneutral2590]

Mary Dalton mooood

[@Karishma_Unspecified]

Right, so I was a big time nerd and academic topper in my high school. I remember being aware of the fact that I could get away with stuff, just because i was the "smart kid" (and also, because i grew up in a system that didn't have any ways to accommodate for disability... and I had a pretty serious disability... so sympathy all around). The first quarter of the video really struck close to home. The whole, "I know I can pull this off - I can rig the system!" feeling. The next quarter reminded me of the moment *I* realized that the rules were made lighter for me... that I wasn't rigging the system, so much as, the system was rigged for me. I remember that when I did come to that realization in high school, I felt fake and pathetic. I was reminded that yes, I worked a hell lot harder than everyone around to catch up (again, refer to disability in a backward system)... but also, that people were being nice to me. It wasn't so much, me being the underdog in the hero narrative - it was more, life is unfair in more ways than one. Some times, the unfairness actually worked in my favour. It really broke down my underdog narrative. I still show that narrative sometimes - having disabilities that aren't exactly accepted as they are at home, and having to compete with "the normal crowd" does that to you - but its videos like these that remind me that there is more nuance to the narrative than that. I'm not White or Black or in America. I feel like I can't fully give you input on the Race thing. But Hank, it felt validating (but still painful) to know that yes, looking, talking and seeming like an intelligent inspirational story with 'so much potential' helped me more than I could really fathom. The "the kid looks smart, so s/he must be" phenomenon, is real Hank. You've experienced it and so have I. Admittedly now, I have a fair ton of other issues in my life... but it helps to remember that the entire world is not against me - and that I have gotten many advantages that my peers have not... just as I have many disadvantages that they don't have. Its not all fair. And that I shouldn't get on my high horse about being "a fighter". Thanks for the video Hank - it helped me understand a few of my thoughts better.

[@Lic021]

When I was...11 or 12, I got my first ever detention. I remember it was in English class but I don't remember what it was for. Probably something as silly as forgetting my homework. Regardless, I was so upset about this, I instantly burst into tears in the middle of class. My teacher (incidentally one of the few male teachers at the school) freaked out that he'd 'made me cry' and said I didn't have to do the detention. Then I realised the....power(?) I had as a small, sweet-looking, usually very well-behaved and intelligent young girl. I couldn't cry on command, but I could use my perceived innocence and reputation as the sort of kid who would never do anything wrong maliciously to...get my way a lot. My older brother was charismatic in more obvious ways, he could talk his way out of things just by being charming, but I could more subtly get my way by making people think I never meant to do the wrong thing in the first place and that an honest mistake should be given an extra chance to get it right next time. Luckily the fear of being punished usually meant I would do it right the next time, but not always.

[@Melissa-dd7ys]

Wow. I had a very similar experience in school. As I have gotten older I have lost some of that. However, it wasn't that long ago that I was still able to talk my way out of a traffic ticket.

[@Lic021]

@@Melissa-dd7ys yup. I remember a couple of years ago I submitted a piece of work (online submission) a couple of minutes late (my internet was playing up, but to be fair, I obviously shouldn't have waited until the last second) and I was really stressed out because we were told 'even if it's a minute late, it is classed as late and you will be docked marks' so as soon as I sat down with my lecturer to discuss my grade, I apologised and he said 'oh no, I know you must've had a legitimate reason, we only say that so people don't milk it and try to get extra time'

[@DianaMcManaman]

One of the (many) things I appreciate about you guys is that you have this incredible gift to look at yourselves and at your circumstances and at the things that happen to you and consider what your experiences might mean for people in general. It's not something that a lot of people have any skill at. Thank you for teaching me how to consider the ways in which my limited experience of the world is indicative of the world at large. DFTBA

[@lyreparadox]

+

[@NijosoSefzaps]

+

[@MichiruEll]

I was a very rule-following high schooler, but I very much stood up to authority when I considered it to act unfairly. My school encouraged this through their curriculum. A lot of emphasis on independent thinking and resistance. We learned about the Milgram experiments early. I took this to heart and applied it. Refused to comply when a teacher tried to put in place arbitrary rules without explaining them. Interrupted a teacher who was going on a rant about how bad our class was, by raising my hand and calmly explaining that this rant was not gonna get through to the ones who were the problem, but did feel hurtful to the ones who cared. I never got in trouble. My teachers respected me for my moral and ethical stances. I don't regret them and I would do it again. I think I handled things well by always staying calm and diplomatic. But... This makes me realize that things might not have gone so well for me if I hadn't been a white girl. I can't be sure, because I never talked about it with my high school friends (many of whom weren't white). I don't know if they felt like they couldn't do what I did. Maybe it's the case, because the only girl who followed me in my efforts was the other girl in the group who was completely white.

[@Rachel-fi4sc]

I still wish I'd gone to your school. I was also an innocent-looking little white girl, but hell's bells our teachers were awful to anyone who spoke out against injustice.

[@shutupsprinkles]

Oh this is why steel-toed shoes were against dress code in my K12 school district 😂

[@epitaphboi4816]

Shut Up, Sprinkles

[@shutupsprinkles]

Epitaph Boi das my name yup

[@epitaphboi4816]

Shut Up, Sprinkles! yeah booiiii

[@nataliebartels2202]

This went from amusing to profound real quick. So glad to be back in the Nerdfighter fold these days :)

[@gcollins1992]

This video woke me up, perhaps a little late, and I have to say that I'm pretty embarrassed. I thought the same thing. "Oh, I'm so clever. I'll use nice words and I'm such a polite, articulate writer that no teacher/professor/boss will really hold [insert small to moderate mistake] against me." Now, even though I am occasionally still the recipient of such privilege, now at least I can be properly thankful for the kindness I've been shown rather than impressed with my own "genius" at getting away with stuff. Ugh. I'm sorry to all the teachers, mentors, and bosses that I did not appreciate properly before learning this lesson.

[@wendysherbert3257]

Dear Hank and John...I teach young gifted children in a public ES. You both have many of the same hallmarks that so many of my students have. Smart, quirky, passionate about projects, struggle with issues and anxieties, and yet successful. Imagine being the same gifted child but one of a different color. Would you be seen? Would you be given the same opportunities and chances? I agree that it would be highly unlikely. Today, at least in my school district, we actively put systems in place to to not let gifted children of minority populations slip through the cracks. Is it perfect, no, is it helping yes! Will we continue to change and do better based on data and equity? Yes! Is it sad that this was only started in the 2000’s? Absolutely! I thank you for bringing your school example to light. It reminds me to keep at the work I love to help ALL children, not just the ones in the majority.

[@spencerlemon2679]

Love you man. But wow young hank looks like the weed dealer from the preppy high school

[@shreyag9366]

“Prejudice and privilege are not a sign of interior rot.” So true. We are not born with bigotry and bias. We CAN unlearn those harmful behaviours, whenever we decide to.

[@crimeny]

+

[@sameknit]

We kind of ARE born with bias. Bias is part of our our brains work, and to a large extent, it's useful. It tells you not to ask a toddler for directions. You cannot ever completely get rid of your biases, you can only keep trying to be aware of them and improve.

[@blackanimecat2]

+

[@shreyag9366]

Mandie Harrington I meant the kind of biases that we form against certain groups of people not based in logic.

[@emmynoether9540]

+

[@spidermanandsnape]

This is one reason I love watching your videos. You share the embarrasing aspects of your own privilege, both in your past when you weren't quite aware of it, but also now when you're still learning and trying to be better and the privilege is still there even if you acknowledge it. And you've been doing this for years. Just because you're ahead of the public acknowledgement doesn't necessarily make you better for it, but it does make me really appreciate that you aren't just jumping on the bandwagon because BLM is publicly acknowledged and finally taken seriously by many who wrote it off before.

[@shannonfallon668]

Not sure if anyone else has mentioned yet, but I think part of the problem is that people who are privileged are more likely to have the resources to fight back if something doesn't go their way. In this example, perhaps the teacher didn't want to deal with what he imagined your parents' reaction might be. Some entitled parents demand special treatment for their children and might even use their wealth or power as a way try to make the teacher or the school give them what they want. They could threaten to stop donating/offer to start, threaten to take the case to court (could see this happening if the school tried to make your parents pay for the locker, for example), etc. Also, I bet that this plays into an ongoing cycle of kids getting special treatment and then growing into adults who demand it. So I'm glad you're making an effort to break the cycle, Hank!

[@ellap6828]

Thank you Hank, and thank you John, for sharing these stories. You guys are pretty much my top idols (ok, you guys TOTALLY are), and your perspective really helps. I'm going into senior year, and it's a very stressful time, especially when you're shooting for top colleges and you have anxiety like me. I've been second-guessing every move, pouring over colleges and schedules and lists and stressing about making the best decisions and choices...It really helps to know that even you guys messed up, and you still ended up so successful and awesome people. I haven't been sleeping too well because of the stress of everything I haven't done and have to do, but it helps to know that maybe none of it matters nearly as much as I think it does anyway. So thank you guys, so much :)

[@joebykaeby]

Earlier this week I was reading an answer on Quora to a question that basically boiled down to “Why do kids who do majorly bad things in school not get punished for minor bad things they do when teachers are perfectly happy to punish the rest of us for those minor infractions?” The answer (from a teacher) basically said that it’s all relative: if it’s a miracle that the kid is at their desk today instead of smoking weed in the bathroom, the teacher isn’t going to “ruin” that by yelling at them for not paying attention 100% of the time (because that would only further discourage that kid from coming to class), but a “good student” who you “know can do better” *is* going to be scolded for not paying attention because their circumstance is different. Half of my brain went “well yeah, that makes perfect sense” and the other half went “ok yeah but that’s still unfair and discriminatory.” I have yet to decide which half I agree with, if either.

[@eviekerr6028]

I had exactly the same thought in school - I was never outwardly badly behaved, but I was sloppy like I rarely did homework, I doodled all over my books, I was late to every class etc. And I put it down to being likeable and crafty and being good at getting away with things, especially when people got pulled up for the same things. But it makes so much more sense that I got away with things because I am an incredibly nonthreatening, white, cis girl who was quiet and academically intelligent with a lot of potential. Kind of embarrassing that I had that mindset - this video was really illuminating, thank you!

[@DJRyder44]

As a person who won the birth lottery this is so alligned with my experience and its hard to know how to act in light of it! When I get away with stuff because of my social easy path (which definitely happens) I know I won't point this out and 'turn myself in'. These conversations about subtle privelege need to be louder so the bias can be fought against +++

[@Rachel-fi4sc]

I know I'm very late to this party, but I do have advice on the stuff you said you're struggling with if you're interested?

[@aubreylaraine]

This morning while watching this I thought of the teacher that saved my behind. She brought together all my teachers and my mother to kick me into gear and I managed not to screw it all up. That was in '92. Today, several cities away from where I grew up, her brother walks in to my workplace and puts me in touch with her. I cried. Any other day I'd say it was coincidence, but today it doesn't feel like that. Thank you Hank and John.

[@mokimon5079]

I've seen ~90% of the videos currently available on this channel and for some reason, i really needed this one today. Thank you for saying so much in such short a time

[@mokimon5079]

The typo edit took away the heart but i saw it, thanks hank/hank's team

[@gbasek]

I think this is a video I would love to show to high school and junior high students to explain privilege, and also to help them think about it actions more critically. It's very simple and relatable. Thank you for making it.

[@krissymillard1823]

Mmmm.... “The more you have, the more people are weary of taking things from you.” Truth. Thanks for this video, Hank. (Also, I want more pics of Hank in 90s attire.😆)

[@woodfur00]

Weary ≠ wary

[@krissymillard1823]

woodfur00 I am weary of ppl who feel the need to correct KZbin comment typos but have a nice day! 😂

[@Azzarinne]

@@woodfur00 I'm weary of people taking things from me.

[@woodfur00]

Krissy M I corrected them because it seemed like they didn't know. If it were just a typo I wouldn't have said anything.

[@thesamuelbutler]

Still trying to understand this concept. It’s seems to foreign and counterintuitive to me. Something I need to struggle with for a while.

[@Kermoedi77]

I think it’s powerful and important to have the agency to listen when people call you out on a bias and not just get angry and defensive. Everyone has things about themselves that they can work on. Unfortunately, not everyone accepts that and is willing to listen to feedback about it. It can be uncomfortable and icky feeling to realize there are things within us that could be better. Whether that’s my 6 year old daughter who hates it when we tell her she’s misused a new word she learned or our whole freaking country, which doesn’t really do the best job of acknowledging its shortcomings and shady behavior to various demographics. People can’t get better until we realize there is a better and that we aren’t there yet. Thank you for all you do, Green Brothers.

[@MissAusha]

Thank you for sharing this and pointing out why you got away with it. As you were talking all I could think is. If I did this even as a female. I’d be kicked out for being ‘aggressive’ and ‘violent’. Even out of school if I get at all upset or point out something that is not right. Even in a flat non-emotional tone. I’m still the angry black women. So thank you for being so honest.

[@katriarchy]

I once got called to the principals office to 1) pick up my honor roll certificate and 2) be informed that the vice principal wanted to see me, because apparently, one of the many times I skipped class I apparently forgot to sign out of study hall to “go to the library”, so I got caught. I remember crying and saying “I’m an honor roll student! I don’t DO this kind of thing!” and eventually my study hall teacher walked by and told the vice principal it must have been a mistake (because I didn’t DO that kind of thing!) and that was the end of it. This video made me reflect on my privilege in that moment in a way that I never have before. Thanks, Hank.

[@JoshuaVoiles2]

Fascinating interpretation and astute insight. I had steel toed boots at around that age, too. The VP at the school took a similar approach when I lashed out in an inappropriate way. But in retrospect, I think her decision to give me another chance came from a different conclusion. It’s possible your teacher felt similarly: It might have been that you kicking the locker caused your teacher to consider the longterm implications of your life getting worse, rather than better. And she felt in that moment that she had a hand in the outcome. She might’ve considered that letting you pass the class was a way to increase the odds of you not degenerating into further truancy, rebellion, and potential criminality. Without the kick, the backfiring damage of her decision wasn’t as apparent. With the kick, the idea couldn’t be ignored. And it might’ve been for all of these reasons and more. Whatever the case; I’m glad she made it 9. In my case, the lifeline my VP threw out didn’t work in the short term. I ended up excessively truant and was court ordered as a juvenile delinquent. But I applaud anyone who is willing to put up with obstinate steel-toe-clad adolescents, and try to teach them how to live.

[@fullmoonproductions7188]

Thank you for opening my eyes a little wider to see how even that little bit of prejudice can truly change someone’s life

[@senatrottier8033]

I am siting here listening intently, tears rolling down my eyes. The world would be a much better place with just a few more people who understand this. Bravo to you sir. Love your content.

[@colleencurry118]

something I love about hank and john is their ability to tell a hilarious story that has me laughing out loud, and then turn it into an intellectual conversation about people and racism and evaluating your own actions. this was such a meaningful video but started of making me laugh ❤

[@ayeshachaudhry1135]

when i heard “i’ll mark it down as nine” wow it was frustrating personally my actions are scrutinized so hard as one of the only poc reps in so many different organizations, thanks for the bringing awareness to this!

[@CianFDowd]

My favourite Vlogbrothers video pairs are those which end up as the start of a discussion and a response. I love when you guys do that. These last two videos have been great food for thought

[@elicather8168]

In high school, I was placed in a lot of special education classes because my depression and anxiety really can effect my school performance. There were times when I wouldn’t go to school for weeks at a time because my mental illness was just so crippling. By the end, I did get a lot better, but it was only because I had such amazing and helpful teachers and resources. And the only reason I had a access to that level of education was because I just so happened to live in a predominantly white, mostly rich, school district. It’s really hard for me to think about the fact that if I went to any other school that didn’t have those resources, I 100% would not have passed high school.

[@ariannalybaek27]

Hank and John, thank you so much for videos like these. I don’t comment much. It’s weird because you don’t know me, but I’m not exaggerating when I say you embody my values. You have played a big role in shaping who I am as a person. You’ve shown me what it is to be an intellectual and a humanitarian. You have educated me without talking down to me and informed my morality whilst imploring me to challenge ideas. I’m 26 now but high school was a rough time and I honestly don’t think I’d be who I am without these videos. All of them: the dumb stuff, the introspective stuff... it’s all been so important to me. Anyways, i could go on and on but I just wanted you to know that you’ve had a bigger impact than you know 🖖

[@MatthewBrpg]

“When you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.”

[@thomasjohnston995]

“For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Mathew 13:12

[@thesamuelbutler]

If I remember correctly, this verse is speaking more about righteousness and responsibility rather than status or privilege. Put another way it might say something like “People who are righteous and good stewards will be given more responsibility in heaven, and those who have no righteousness will be given nothing and go to hell.” *That being said* I think this does promote the just-world fallacy, which says that those who do good will be rewarded and those who do bad will be punished (think karma). Unfortunately this isn’t the case, due to things like racism and privilege as well as simple chance. Anyways, interesting verse to share, got me thinking (usually a good thing)

[@thomasjohnston995]

Samuel Butler interesting!

[@pendlera2959]

@@thesamuelbutler Most religions are just convoluted attempts at proving the just-world fallacy.

[@monkiram]

@@thesamuelbutler Yes if you read the story right before this, that this verse is concluding, it's about 3 servants who were lent money by their master at different amounts. 2 of them invested the money and made more money back for their master, and the last one just stored the money somewhere until he could give it back to him later. The lender was happy with both the servants who invested and made more, even though they made different amounts (because he initially gave them different amounts), but he reprimanded the servant who did nothing. This represents how people are given different lots in life, and that God will judge you on how what you did with the lot you were given, He will not judge you if you made less than somebody else who was given more. But then Jesus adds to this by saying that the guy who did nothing useful with what he was given had even that taken away from him, which is what He was referring to when He said "even what he has will be taken away". So in the passage itself, the just-world hypothesis is contradicted, I don't agree that the verse promotes it unless you read it out of context. In addition, here is a passage from John 9: Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him." And another passage from Luke 13: Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” They're pretty self-explanatory, but in this passage, Jesus is warning the people that if they continue to act immorally, they will reach a terrible end. But in doing so, He makes sure to emphasize that the people they're asking about did not suffer these things because they were worse than anybody else, it is only after this life that we will experience the consequence of our behaviour on earth. So there are actually many instances in the bible where Jesus challenges people's belief in the just-world hypothesis which was a strongly-held idea during that period.

[@thesamuelbutler]

Momera Ah, thank you for the deeper context! :) I would agree with you about Jesus. He taught a form of radical grace that had no societal barriers and challenged people's ideas about what true righteousness looked like. Thanks for sharing!

[@aphrog649]

As a kid who is currently in high school and also “gets away” with things (admittedly less severe things... more like being late to class and turning things in late), you’ve helped me realize that there’s more to it than just being “a good kid with potential”. I mean hell, I remember once when I was about to get a detention, the principal let me off the hook just because I wasn’t deemed a troublemaker by her. I know for a fact some kids at my school wouldn’t have been let off so easily.

[@MelissaReist]

I didn’t expect the video to turn out like this. But oh my what an amazing message. Looking forward to reading the blog post!

[@m.w.kaplan447]

hank, one of my favourite things about you is how willing you are yo own up to your own mistakes and shortcomings (barring the most embarrassing thing you have ever done, which after 10 years i've decided i may be better off not knowing). it happens less now than on the Old Days (TM) but in these moments you shed light on what your past was like and it's a nice reminder that people can and do change (as i consider you now to be extremely level-headed).

[@dshe8637]

Great point. Some teachers are already halfway to judgement on pupils before the kids actually move a muscle. As a teacher who tried to support and enable kids with difficulties, it's interesting to hear amother side. You are so right about people who think they are going to get away with everything as well. Sometimes not getting challenged for a misdemeanor is not the blessing it might at first seem. On the other hand, there are also teachers who come down overly hard on 'good' kids who do daft things, because they don't want them turning 'bad' like the more challenging ones. Interesting area for research i think.

[@katewarburton8024]

This is a very deep and thoughtful blog. I love the intelligence of both Hank and John not just intellectually but their way of processing life's strangeness so sensitively it's such an admirable quality. I can see why you are KZbin badasses 👊

[@sarahthomison3295]

This is possibly my favorite video you have ever posted!

[@savanah2704]

So, what happened with the destroyed locker? Did you have to pay for that or...?

[@vlogbrothers]

Noooope. Never heard about it again.

[@Azzarinne]

@@vlogbrothers Good thing it was at a different school, then. 👍

[@daemn42]

@@vlogbrothers Wow. Now *that* is privilege.

[@thesamuelbutler]

vlogbrothers That’s wack

[@savanah2704]

Well then

[@shalvigarimanegi]

Took me a while to understand the bit after the picture. When Hank said, "because I looked like this". I thought maybe a cool kid, maybe a prankster, maybe a nerd, who knows. Hit me when he'd already said "racism" a couple times, like Oh.

[@ohrwein7154]

trying to use the school rules with false maths to get out of a gardening class is the perfect combination of Hank and John as juveniles

[@mikaismay]

This is actually something I dealt with a lot in school. I watched as I “got away” with low effort while my classmates who didn’t have the same privileges as me constantly get in trouble and fail time and time again, while the teacher would just treat them differently. I even only ever had one AP class, English. So I easily saw the dichotomy between how students were treated in AP classes and in non-AP classes, where 80% of the class time would end up being dedicated to discipline. I got kicked out a couple times and had long talks with teachers and administration about this and every time, they’d tell me that, “it was different because I had potential.” Or that /I/ needed to be the one to set a good example for the other students. I would get so furious.

[@DianaMcManaman]

As someone who is in school to be a teacher, I really appreciate the specific perspective of this story. I appreciate the call out and the awareness it has brought to the forefront of my mind. I think I’m going to be a better teacher because of what I’ve learned from you and John.

[@nintando]

STEEL TOED DOC MARTENS WOW. also I always appreciate these videos talking about high school. I've had a pretty rough few years and going into my last it's nice to know that there's still a lot of life and personal growth on the horizon. dftba!

[@motheraiya]

Not only was this a breath of fresh air for you to make this anecdote into a lesson, it forced me into a nostalgia trip thinking about all the embarrassing things I did as a teen.

[@deragenfox3624]

No views but even still 15 likes...Hank, you likeable goof.

[@juliasutter6996]

As a sociology major, I feel like I can never stop thinking about race and privilege and inequality. I definitely don't know enough to explain the stuff in this video, but I always love hearing different perspectives on privilege and stuff

[@darinsingleton3553]

HG, You have made many very clever videos. You have made some really fun videos. You have made videos which have been profoundly moving, and videos which have brought a lot of delight. I believe that none of them have been as important as this video. Thank you.

[@elisebrisson]

This is how you recognize your white male privilege and use your platform!! YESSSS

[@amyvangeertry3188]

I agree with bringing to light our inner biases. WJ Chambliss wrote an article, “The Saints and the Roughnecks” basically showing that your point is unfortunately accurate, we treat white rebels better than other minority rebels. Chambliss points out differences between the two groups are visibility, demeanor and biases. I learned this in my college Sociology class. I think we’ve been doing this too long and that the problem has only gotten worse as the gaps between the wealthy and middle class and poor widen.

[@arielfabulous]

This is So Important on so many levels. Thanks for making this video! This needs to be said over and over again.

[@piapolzin1852]

I can sooo deeply relate with your story. Like, I don't have such an extreme story, in my case there are just many little storys where I felt exactly like you described it, but I never was able to put it into words. Thanks for this video :)

[@Draukagrissah]

I'm not even kidding, during this video I opened a fortune cookie that says: "Life's greatest priveleged is being able to help someone in need." Is it a dumb fortune cookie aphorism? Yes. Can you apply it to John and Hank's philosophy of understanding that you have privelege, and using that place of privelege to help not just yourself, but the people and world around you? Also yes.

[@MattPalka]

I got into youth leadership in 7th grade and I remember having an epiphany thinking about my values and ability to be a contribution to thers, "Holy crap. Look how much I can do and serve others with what I know and have!" It made the rest of middle school and high school for me so much about helping and leading others, as well as myself well. I learned a lot from people. That fortune cookie hits home.

[@kmaya1024]

Sociologist here! I'd suggest 'Racism Without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in America' by Eduardo Bonilla-Silva as a starting point! :)

[@HeyItsPaige1127]

The first half of this video reminded me of Ferris Bueller's Day Off then took a serious turn...I was not expecting that. Thanks for sharing Hank!

[@JessicaBiilor]

This is both relatable and thought provoking and so so important. Thank you Hank!

[@Domdrok]

As a teacher, I just always hope that chance I give you somehow leads to self-betterment.

[@olirayner5129]

This resonated with me far more than expected it to. I was essentially that kid in school too; thought I could just get away with slacking off and doing stupid shit. I didnt really know why but I wasnt going to argue with it. But looking back now, listening to what Hank says, it’s made me realise that really it was just that I had a lot of ‘potential’ and a lot to be taken away from me, so it was rare that I saw the repercussions.

[@switchingtime]

I had a similar situation with a much different background...I would ditch class ALL the time, because I was a jerk of a teen who disrespected learning and teachers for most of high school. Most of my teachers would pass me because of my "potential" and I'd avoid suspensions and more by playing dumb or innocent. I thought I was *sooooo* clever and now, looking back, it's painfully obvious that they were just willing to let it slide because they were trying to help me out in their own way. Even though I was an arrogant punk, I still was given chance after chance and I blew them all...I had a lot of fun in high school with extracurricular stuff, but I regret most of my academic time there. Sorry, teachers, you're all great.

[@TheRavenfish9]

Thank you for this great video, Hank. We need more of this discussion. A lot more. So thanks for never forgetting to be awesome.

[@xStrikie]

I've listened back to 3:30 to the end about 7 times now, which really resonated having been in similar situations and never having looked at it this way. Assumed I got away with stuff because of goodwill from being nice to teachers and staff. This puts it in a whole other perspective

[@Annie-vc6cf]

What an insanely amazing and self aware video. As a social worker this is what my job is about. Helping people understand this is part of my work. Or maybe more accurately, me trying to understand privilege is how I can begin to help those I work with. I really love this video.

[@MotoCat91]

I can certainly relate to the getting away with things in high school which I shouldn't have due to having good grades and falling under the 'nerd' category. My highschool had a policy where if you get into a fight it's an instant 1-3 day suspension depending on severity, and weeks up to expulsion if you draw blood. I wasn't the kind of kid that started fights though, rather I was the target for most bullies.. and would just put up with it over and over. Until one day in year 11 when I was pushed over the edge. I was prepared to just pick up my bag, walk out of the school in the middle of the day and go home.. I was done. As I picked up my bag though I was hit over the back of the head with a 400 page text book and over the next 2 seconds I had snapped a ruler in a half, turned and stabbed the guy in the arm. 12 stitches and his entire sleeve was stained red. I knew I'd crossed the line (and then some) so instead of leaving I just walked into the office and sat outside the counsellors room to explain the situation, and prepared to deal with my suspension. 20 mins later I'm moved into the Vice Principal's office which was a first for me, and he just sat there thinking for a while, before telling me that because I'm a good student I'm not going to be punished at all. Like not even a single detention, no suspensions, nothing. I was actually angry at the school at this point for treating me differently. Straight A's all the way up to this point, and then once my grades start falling and I start fighting back at bullies and hurting them.. The school just turned the other way instead of correcting me. So I continued to push boundaries, skipped classes, skipped homework, my grades fell and I ended school with C's across the board. And that guy that I stabbed, he actually got suspended and upon returning came up and apologised to me.

[@matthewgilpincom]

Well this realisation has kinda blown my mind. Need to go sit down for a bit... Maybe in the band room.

[@cassodembreankia2076]

Well said, Hank. This was a clear and concise way of explaining a concept I’ve been wondering about for a long time. You and John are the best. Thank you.

[@Siriuslyyy]

This might be the single most important video of 2019. Thank you Hank Green

[@hannekeroos4585]

This absolutely made me think back to al the times i got away with stuff and shed it in a different light, not as an accomplishment but as luck.

[@soorian6493]

Not a sociology expert, but I'll take my best crack at explaining what you're describing. People have a tendency to show kindness towards people who remind them of themselves. When you look like the people who have power over your life, they will often show kindness after kindness to you. Therefore power has this self fulfilling prophecy where looking powerful makes you powerful. This also has the side effect of reducing the humanity of the vulnerable. If someone grows up screwing up in small ways again and again and still becomes successful, they're more likely to think that people who aren't successful got into that situation through some kind of character failing and don't deserve the same success or opportunities they have. In reality, it is much more likely they simply weren't given as many chances to begin with.

[@TheHolisticMystic]

I just realized I've been watching Vlogbrothers off-and-on for over 12 years. Whhhhaaaattttttt! Thanks, guys!

[@arillusine]

I really enjoyed this video, but what’s more, I really enjoyed reading the comments. The thoughtfulness about the learned behaviors of racism and the impact that has on all of us, the shared experiences, all of it. Thanks for sparking that kind of discussion, Hank!

[@believeinpeace]

You are so refreshing, brilliant , kind, an all around good human being.

[@adellejanewerder1423]

Thanks for bringing up the important topics, Hank and John. This is one of the many reasons I love this channel. Privilege and equity are two topics that we all need to spend some time thinking about and really unpacking. Keep up the great work team 😁

[@andremadethis]

I've seen every one of your vids on this channel, and have been subscribed from the start, and that is and will probably remain my favorite.

[@paulaOyeah]

I was a lot like that in school, only I’d get permission for all those things I shouldn’t have done. One teacher even took the time to show me how to forge her signature so I could do whatever I wanted. No joke. Then I hardcore failed algebra II. It wasn’t because I slacked. I just didn’t get the concepts. Failing that class went a long way to giving me some humility. (Then I took it again and passed with a 97. Oops. There went the humility.... 🤣) Valuable lesson, Hank. 😁👍 (No, seriously. I wish you’d been around when I was in high school... but you were a few years behind me, so maybe that wouldn’t have been as positive. 😂)

[@MattPalka]

Allowed to forge her signature? WOWZA.

[@paulaOyeah]

Matt Palka My first question was if it was a trap. 😂👍

[@MattPalka]

@@paulaOyeah She definitely believes in the school system! xD

[@paulaOyeah]

Matt Palka Actually, she was anti-administration. However, she was very active in community projects and was tenured. 😂 She loved “sticking it to The Man. I also had quite a lot in common with her (Spanish, art, academic team, and community service), so she knew me fairly well. I would commit “crimes” of mischief or just use it to ditch a class when I wanted. (I never missed an Alg II class, though. Well, not the first go ‘round! 😅) Plus, I was a band kid. We already could do almost anything and not be questioned. The band was the only thing that won awards at that school. (It was a topsy-turvy high school experience.) 🙃

[@MattPalka]

@@paulaOyeah School was crazy, and in some ways I still miss it. Ah, the security from tenure! Hahaha. It's awesome that you had a lot of things in common. Sounds like you had a perfect "partner in crime" inside the school system. I had a couple teachers in high school that let me go to the library whenever I wanted, eat lunch in their classrooms, and help out in extra ways. Noting too crazy. Band only winning awards does sounds topsy-turvy. My school has lotsa art and sports stuff.

[@michaelrios4163]

This is such a concise observation of the situation!! I am so glad you shared this, because damn is it true. I would love to hear a sociologist talk about this phenomenon.

[@thizizliz]

Excellent points. Thank you. I still can't grasp how some of us can't/won't admit that we have privilege based on our skin color.

[@redkazero]

I.... think I am that person who thinks that they can get away with stuff just for having this "potential" they tallk about... This was a really big eye opener for me... Thanks Hank, I'll be careful.

[@whereisangie]

thank you for this video hank. this is so important to recognize and talk about

[@Fawksthephoenix1]

Opinion of a recent graduate with a BA in sociology: There are so many components to privilege and the maintenance of systems and ideologies that encourage the continuance of white, male, heterosexual, cisgendered, able-bodied (etc. etc.) privilege. A few thoughts that may be relevant to what you're talking about: 1) Privilege is maintained because the same people who have that privilege tend to be the ones in places of power or with a voice. Essentially, privilege can be cyclical. Much of the time, these same people are never in a position where they have to question that privilege because, to them, it seems to either be natural, a non-issue, or they never have to witness the effects of their privilege. 2) There is some sort of theory (which I can't remember the name of) that posits that groups only revolt when there is a marked and drastic decrease in their standards of living from what they had previously accepted. I believe the example that we used in my class was of the Montgomery Bus Boycott which began not because the black residents of Montgomery had finally gotten tired of the same racism/repression, but because there was an increase in violence against them related to the buses (which is due to a number of outside influences). In relation to current day, I feel (and this is just my opinion) that because there have been advances in some realms for minority groups, there is a certain fear of a loss of those few privileges. They may have slight decreases in living standards in some realms, but they've essentially be "thrown a bone" in very strategic ways. Thusly, minority groups fear returning back to the very recent and obvious forms of racism that they've only in the past few decades been able to start to shed. People with privilege either view these concessions as the end of any work that may need to occur. Some also view it as a taking away of their privileges (as if privilege is a fixed quantity that can run out). That latter tends to be where more explicit racism occurs, the former where it's more hazy and often less violent/overt. 3) "The more you have, the more people are wary of taking things from you. The less you have, the more society is okay with exploiting you or punishing you or giving up on you." When racism was overt, it was more visible. Now, it's coded. It's slyly slipped into laws that require ID for voting, housing contracts, and dress codes. When you already have nothing, it's hard to rebel against these racist tactics. There's a fear of more loss. There's an inability to get the funds and resources necessary to challenge unjust laws. People fear angering those in power, taking things away from them lest they make their lives even worse. The world is built on exploiting those without power. Billionaires exist because they are able to further exploit those who are already exploited. As racism becomes less obvious, we're more likely to give up on those who need our help and our understanding the most because we can't see the systems that oppress them as clearly. We think that they aren't trying hard enough, that it's their fault that they're in the position they're in. The bootstraps myth is really making the rounds again. These are just some thoughts. There's so much to say on this issue and I know a lot of what I said might not be completely relevant and is sorta rambling. But, I'm glad you're thinking about this issue and learning to understand the privileges that have given you a step up in life without demonizing yourself for not realizing them earlier.

[@MattPalka]

I'm glad your comment has made me think about this as well.

[@PearlAlex]

You broaden my mind a little each week you know that? Thankyou for ten years of this.

[@ManfredDudesonVonGuy]

Hank, I have a short book that looks into a little bit of that "taking from those who have less is easier" thing through the lens of undocumented laborers and minorities. It's called Labor and Legality by Ruth Gomberg-Munoz, a 140-ish page ethnography by a sociologist. It goes into other topics, but a lot of the subjects are disadvantaged teens; there's a whole chapter on their treatment in school.