Althouse: The Itch and How to Scratch It.

March 13, 2013

The Itch and How to Scratch It.

(Abby, the St. Bernard, just now.)

17 comments:

edutcher said...: Sherlock does it like that, but with more effort.

Bad hip.

PS You guys have books all over the floor like us.

PPS Who tickles the ivories?; 3/13/13, 9:49 AM
traditionalguy said...: Great scratching Abby. But I fear that I am developing a St. Bernard's neck in the mirror.
I wonder if face lifts help St Bernards?; 3/13/13, 9:59 AM
tiger said...: Gee even dogs get sick of papparazzi!

Who knew?; 3/13/13, 10:00 AM
RonF said...: [ threadjack ]

Ann, have you seen this?

http://www.620wtmj.com/blogs/charliesykes/197597831.html

"The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction runs several programs that emphasize racial issues.

One of those programs – an Americorps operation called VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) – encourages white students to wear white wristbands that serve "as a reminder about your (white) privilege?"

The program for high school students "seeks to build capacity in schools and districts serving low-income families to develop an effective, sustainable, research-based program of family-school-community partnerships,"according to its Facebook page.

That sounds reasonable enough. However, the program becomes a bit suspect when one notices the Gloria Steinem quote on the top of their webpage: "The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn."

The webpage list a series of suggestions for high schools students to become more racially sensitive. The suggestions include:

• Wear a white wristband as a reminder about your privilege, and as a personal commitment to explain why you wear the wristband.

• Set aside sections of the day to critically examine how privilege is working.

• Put a note on your mirror or computer screen as a reminder to think about privilege.

The Wisconsin DPI also sponsors CREATE Wisconsin, an on-going "cultural sensitivity" teacher-training program that focuses largely on "whiteness" and "white privilege."; 3/13/13, 10:02 AM
RonF said...: As I put in the comments, George Orwell intended 1984 to be a warning, not an instruction manual.; 3/13/13, 10:03 AM
Eric the Fruit Bat said...: A cat's not at all shy about licking its O-ring.; 3/13/13, 10:06 AM
edutcher said...: RonF said...

• Wear a white wristband as a reminder about your privilege, and as a personal commitment to explain why you wear the wristband.

Over which should be worn another wristband saying, "White And Proud"; 3/13/13, 10:07 AM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: • Put a note on your mirror or computer screen as a reminder to think about privilege.

Daily affirmation of my privilege.

Screw the white armband...."I" put on my diamond tennis bracelets and skip on out the the Beemer to drive on down to the club....exclusive membership to fellow whities, [well except for the staff of course] for our morning Ramos Fizzes and Bloody Marys and discuss today's agenda of how we can further oppress everyone of color. What? Don't all of you guys do this too?; 3/13/13, 10:10 AM
Ann Althouse said...: "Ann, have you seen this?"

Yes, Instapundit linked to it this morning. I considered blogging it, but figured Insta already linked and it's similar to things we've seen before.

It's not my hobbyhorse.

It does sound perversely like something white-pride folks would do. Don't they see the double meaning?; 3/13/13, 10:18 AM
RonF said...: Sorry if I've abused the privilege of commenting here, then. Stuff like this just drives me nuts sometimes....; 3/13/13, 10:21 AM
Michael said...: Man, that dog is going to be one gigantic slobber chops. Wait until that head shaking starts with about a half gallon of spittle stored in his cheeks!!; 3/13/13, 10:26 AM
Ann Althouse said...: "Sorry if I've abused the privilege of commenting here, then."

I didn't say that. I just answered your question about whether I'd seen it and explained why I passed that one by.; 3/13/13, 10:38 AM
LordSomber said...: Is the post title an allusion to a certain British movie from years ago?

"Just think of what you could do with a real whip."; 3/13/13, 12:29 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "Is the post title an allusion to a certain British movie from years ago?"

Yes!; 3/13/13, 12:32 PM
rcocean said...: "Wear a white wristband as a reminder about your privilege, and as a personal commitment to explain why you wear the wristband.

That sounds reasonable enough. "

No, it sounds totally insane. Do Cubans or Jews have to wear one, or are they exempt?; 3/13/13, 7:41 PM
rcocean said...: What if you're half-white and half-black, do you only wear the "white Privilege" band half the time?; 3/13/13, 7:44 PM
rcocean said...: Is Obama an example of white privilege?; 3/13/13, 7:45 PM