Deck 14: Dan Lowe and Spencer Case, “Privilege”

Question 1

In his essay, Dan Lowe explains Arlie Russell Hochschild's underlying metaphor behind "the deep story." In your essay, briefly explain this metaphor, focusing on the relationship between the "people in line" and "the top of the hill." What do you make of this metaphor? How do you think we ought to respond to framing privilege in his way?

Answer 1

Explicate Hoschild's metaphor that serves as a foundation for the idea of "the deep story"
Respond to this metaphor, discussing some of its merits or drawbacks
Offer an account of how one ought to reply to Hoschild's approach in discussing privilege

Question 2

In his essay, Spencer Case discusses the importance of his critique in the discussion of white privilege. In this context, he writes,
Slogans like "love trumps hate" perpetuate the idea that the difference between good and bad political ideas is amounts to the difference between good and bad motives. What this overlooks is that crusades against genuine evils, fired by moral zeal, often produce terrible consequences.
In your essay, capture the concern that Case is expressing here. Then, reflect: What role, if any, does moral zeal have to play in political or social movements? Do you share Case's concern that movements "fired by moral zeal" routinely yield "terrible consequences?" Be sure to include a real example, perhaps tying your answer to the wider privilege debate.

Answer 2

Explain Case's concern that certain zeal-fueled movements confuse bad politics with bad moral motive, and his subsequent concern that this zeal will produce terrible consequences
Offer an account for what role moral zeal should play in political or social movements, drawing from a real-to-life example

Question 3

Through Dan Lowe's essay and Spencer Case's reply, it becomes clear that the authors have very different understandings of the moral value of the assertion "check your privilege." In your essay, explain their disagreement, drawing from both of their works. Then, explain the extent to which you worry about this particular disagreement. In other words, is Lowe's point worth making even if Case's concern is well-founded? Or is Case's concern strong enough to override the reasons that Lowe gives for the importance of privilege checking?

Answer 3

Draw from both Lowe's and Case's work to capture the authors' perspectives on the idea of checking one's privilege
Explain the nature of these authors' disagreement
Develop an argument that offers some guidance on the moral importance of privilege checking

Question 4

In his essay, Lowe offers a series of descriptions that help to explain privilege. Which of the following is NOT an aspect of having privilege, as he describes it?

A) Someone who has privilege has an advantage compared to others
B) Someone who has privilege has an easy life
C) Having a right can be a privilege
D) Having a privilege is never justified

Question 5

In his essay, Lowe identifies a number of patterns that help us to understand how privilege works. Which of the following is NOT one of those patterns?

A) Privilege is intersectional
B) Privilege is contextual
C) Privilege is an unchanging aspect of one's life
D) Privilege tends to be invisible to the person who has it

Question 6

In his essay, Lowe offers a number of suggestions on how people should respond to privilege if they have it. Which of the following is one of his suggestions?

A) Criticize members of privileged social groups for their unjust advantages
B) Use privilege to reinforce the social norms which create and sustain privilege
C) Ensure that privilege remains invisible for the privileged
D) Do not feel ashamed for having privilege, as one does not have control over it

Question 7

In his essay, Case argues that the biggest issue with the academic literature that builds on Peggy McIntosh's ideas is that what is ambiguous?

A) The role of the oppressor and of the victim
B) Honest and dishonest claims to privilege
C) Permissible and impermissible social norms
D) The weak and strong senses of privilege

Question 8

In his essay, Case suggests a couple of alternative hypotheses that aim to explain the existence of many important racial disparities. Which of the following is one of those alternatives to the view that racial disparities are primarily the products of racism?

A) The conservative thesis
B) The cultural hypothesis
C) Good policies post-1986
D) The mismatch view

Question 9

In his essay, Case argues that we are unlikely to "find compelling evidence for the widespread existence of white privilege, in the strong sense," in what source?

A) The testimony of people who are, or consider themselves, oppressed
B) The experiences of the supposed oppressors or sustainers of privilege
C) The sociological documents written by senator Patrick Moynihan
D) The police reports on underprivileged communities

Question 10

In his reply, Lowe argues that Case's argument is based on what?

A) A slippery slope
B) A misunderstanding of oppression
C) An appeal to emotion
D) A false dilemma

Question 11

In his reply, Case levels two main challenges against Lowe's account of privilege. Which of the following is one of those challenges?

A) This account underestimates how rigid and immovable privilege categories really are
B) It isn't clear why, given Lowe's definition, privilege matters so much
C) Lowe's definition does not go far enough in vilifying oppressors
D) Lowe grossly underestimates the benefits of framing social issues in terms of privilege

Question 12

In his essay, Lowe affirms, "We can simply choose not to have privilege; it is an individual's choice to have privilege, so one can just choose to jettison it."

Question 13

Identify the author who concludes his reply with the following cautionary message: "Beware of tunnel vision about evil. Future tyranny may not resemble any tyranny of the past."

A) Dan Lowe
B) Spencer Case