I enjoyed chapter 4 as I was reading, but it wasn't until class today that the readings really got me thinking. We talked a lot about common sense during class, but the most detail of common sense, to me, is "standpoint," as Wendy put it. My standpoint in today's class is probably different than most of the other students in class, and this made the discussion more interesting for me.
You see, I'm not from here. If you ask students around campus, I'd say, 80% (if not more) are from Minnesota or some part of the Midwest. The two most prominent would probably be Wisconsin and Minnesota. To me, they're both alike. Both the states themselves and the people from them. I'd argue a majority of the inhabitants from both states share the same "common sense" knowledge with each other. But, I'm from Orlando, Florida. A place completely different from anywhere around here.
This connects to class because of the discussion of Minnesota nice. You see, when I think about "Minnesota nice" I think about the documentary made in 2012 by a student from this state. He documented the problem with childhood suicide throughout the state, and how, possibly, this state isn't as nice as it seems. The qualities that many Minnesotans say makes this state "nice" are the same qualities that many other kids like me were raised to adopt and put into action. Opening the doors, asking how someone's day has gone, smiling at some random person you pass on the sidewalk (so you don't feel awkward), merging in the "zipper" fashion, and simply being polite were taught to me all the way in Florida. I've traveled to many states, visited numerous counties, and these qualities, for the most part, are always portrayed by the locals of the places I visit.
I know there's probably a few other classmates that aren't from the Midwest, and maybe they'd agree with my outlook about today's discussion. In conclusion, I think standpoint is interesting. Even as we were sitting in a class discussing "common sense," and it seemed to be such a simple topic, but, was it really? The common sense of Minnesota nice doesn't compute with me, and that's because my standpoint is so much different than many of my peers. I could be wrong, but when I pair that thought with today's discussion, I find it extremely interesting.
Also, I REALLY hope we get to talk more about white privilege more in class! Such an interesting topic in a state that is predominately white middle-class folks.
Matt,
ReplyDeleteFirst off welcome to Minnesota! (I do not know if that's part of Minnesota nice or just my upbringing). I am from Illinois, and even though I was taught all of the examples of Minnesota nice as a child, I never really saw them put into action by adults until I came here. So personally I have seen a difference between two midwestern states. But I understand your point, that these traits can be found anywhere. I would just counter argue that Minnesota seems ( at least in my experience) to have more people that are willing to go all out for these traits.
I also think that your point about standpoint being important is overlooked. Since standpoint dictates how one even views a concept as "simple" as common sense like you pointed out. However I think that standpoint and common sense are not totally separate. I would say that Standpoint is part of common sense, since it dictates where and how you have arrived at your common sense. For example how you said you do not really see Minnesota nice, yet almost all of our peers completely agreed on it, yet due to your standpoint (as someone who is from outside the midwest) you did not agree. I think that may impact your "common sense" in class, meaning that this different standpoint will affect what you think you have the expertise to comment about. I would love to hear more about the difference of living in Florida compared to Minnesota.
Also, I really want to talk more about white privilege, since I am from a town that is considerably different from the make up of Minnesota.