In Dr. Muru-Lanning’s lecture on the Waikato River last week, she discussed the differences of privilege that she experienced growing up in a Maori community. In the lecture, she explained that these privileges were not the material wealth that she possessed, but opportunity.
As a white woman from an upper middle-class background, I have experienced some lack of privilege but cannot, and likely will never, fully relate to Dr. Muru-Lanning’s position. Lack of privilege doesn’t just affect our intellectual output. The limited restrictions I have experienced makes me realise that lack of privilege also fosters unique perspective. The hegemonic dispositions that surround privilege make them naturalised and invisible. The restrictions I face as a female in a patriarchal society are relatively ingrained into my life. However, when I had a conversation with a white male friend, I realised what I face daily, such as concerns for personal safety, unwanted attention from males, or being intellectually underestimated, were completely unknown to or disregarded by him.
The first member of her community to gain a PHD, Dr. Muru-Lanning was in a unique position of perspective in comparison to other doctorates. If I had ever done a research project on the Waikatos, it would have never crossed my mind to ask for spiritual permission from the river or its inhabitants. Her knowledge, and her knowledge of experiences that affect her while empowering others, give her narrative power.
We know fundamentally that oppression is wrong, but we often forget about the restrictions imposed by being on the reverse side of invisible privilege. Embracing these restrictions that one faces, one can have more diverse and holistic outlooks on topics, leading to richer understanding.
