PRIVILEGE
/ˈpriv(ə)lij/
(noun) A special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.
This is an example of environmental privilege:
You do not live in a neighborhood that is within one mile of a superfund site (a location polluted with hazardous materials).
This is an example of white privilege:
You can be sure that if you need legal or medical help, your race will not work against me.
This is an example of male privilege:
You can live in a capitalist society in which no advertising exists to sell you products to make your crotch smell "meadow fresh".
This is an example of able-bodied privilege:
You don’t make other people uncomfortable by just existing.
This is an example of heterosexual (straight) privilege:
I can be open about my sexual orientation without worrying about my job.
This is an example of white privilege:
If a traffic cop pulls me over or if the IRS audits my tax return, I can be sure I haven't been singled out because of my race.
Even more importantly: What was your reaction the last time you saw a police officer? Fear? Relief? Local politicians make a point of visiting community organizations and talking with constituents (to get to know what they can do in their role as part of the government). Has a police officer visited your community organization? Have you ever had a friendly conversation with a police officer?
Proximity breeds care and distance breeds fear.
This is an example of male privilege:
If I have children and pursue a career, no one will think I'm selfish for not staying at home.
This is an example of Christian privilege:
Your faith can be an aspect of your identity without being a defining aspect (e.g., people won’t think of you as their “Christian” friend).
This is an example of heterosexual (straight) privilege:
Because of my sexual orientation, I do not need to worry that people will harass or assault me.
This is an example of white privilege:
I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my race.
This is an example of heterosexual (straight) privilege:
People don't ask why I made my choice to be public about my sexual orientation.
This is an example of Christian privilege:
You can expect to have time off work to celebrate religious holidays.
This is an example of white privilege:
I do not have to educate my children to be aware of systemic racism for their own daily physical protection.
This is an example of middle/upper class privilege:
I have visited a doctor for a “check-up.”
This is an example of cisgender privilege:
Strangers don't assume they can ask me about my genitalia or my surgical status or how much I "pass" as a non-transgender.
This is an example of white privilege:
I can go home from most meetings of organizations I belong to feeling somewhat tied in, rather than isolated, out-of-place, outnumbered, unheard, held at a distance or feared.
This is an example of white privilege:
I can travel alone or with my spouse without expecting embarrassment or hostility in those who deal with us.
This is an example of white privilege:
If I declare there is a racial issue at hand, or there isn't a racial issue at hand, my race will lend me more credibility for either position than a person of color will have.
This is an example of white privilege:
I can be pretty sure that if I ask to talk to the “person in charge,” I will be facing a person of my race.
This is an example of white privilege:
I am never asked to speak for all the people of my racial group.
This is an example of white privilege:
I can, if I wish, arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.
This is an example of white privilege:
I do not have to educate my children to be aware of systemic racism for their own daily physical protection.
This is an example of white privilege:
I can go into a music shop and count on finding the music of my race [music made by people of my race] represented, into a supermarket and find the staple foods which fit with my cultural traditions, into a hairdresser's shop and find someone who can cut my hair.
This is an example of white privilege:
When I am told about our national heritage or about "civilization," I am shown that people of my color made it what it is.
However, this country’s history is filled with Black women who have been steadfast
in their efforts to advocate for democratic rights for ALL Americans. In 1948, Charlotta Bass, a California newspaper publisher and editor, left her 30-year allegiance to the
Republican party out of exasperation over their very limited support for racial and
gender inclusivity. She joined the newly created Progressive Party and, in 1952, Charlotta
became the first Black woman to be nominated to the role of Vice President on any
party’s national ticket.
In 1968, New York Democrat Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman to win a seat in Congress. In 1972, Congresswoman Chisholm
became the first African American and the first woman to seek a major party’s nomination
to run for President. She was openly anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-war, pro-choice,
and pro-labor, and she sought solutions to the chaotic issues that were plaguing the
nation during that time. Although both women were committed to their parties, party
establishments did not consider either politician to be a real agent of change or
the appropriate 'face' for their party.
Don’t be silent about that racist joke. Silence is support.
This is an example of white privilege:
I can, if I wish, arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.
If I should need to move, I can be pretty sure of renting or purchasing housing in an area which I can afford, and in which I would want to live. I can be pretty sure that my neighbors in such a location will be neutral or pleasant to me.
Do you know what indigenous land you’re living on? Check out this map and research the groups that occupied that land before you did.