With the serge of resent events dating back to the murder of Trayvon Martin, one can go to any social media platform and see a discussion talking about White Privilege. But what is it exactly?
White Privilege is a term for societal privileges that benefits white people in western countries beyond what is commonly experienced by non-white people under the same social, political, or economic circumstances.
Although the discussion around white privilege and dismantling it is extremely necessary and encouraged, what about all the other types of privileges? Lets take the focus away from white people and focus on people, generally. Everyone, mostly, who is alive on this Earth benefits from some type of privilege, despite its size and if you recognize it or not. Don't believe me? Keep reading.
Who would have ever thought being an American citizen is a privilege. Everyone has the opportunity to be a citizen of the good ‘ole United States, right? Wrong. If you hold American citizenship, you are privileged. You hold access to certain benefits that people who don't hold a citizenship will never have access to. For example, are you aware that students whose parents aren't United States citizens aren't allowed to receive financial assistance from FAFSA? But you being an American citizen, you are automatically granted that luxury. Still don't think you're privileged?
Having a fully and properly functioning self, is a privilege. Being born able-bodied, you don't have to plan your life around handicap access, braille, or other special needs. It’s a burden that many people overlook. People who are disabled have to take extra precautions, experience discrimination and adjust their lives around their disability, something able-bodied people don't always have to go through. Your normally functioning body puts you at a privileged advantage.
I am positive that you've heard this one a lot but by being born straight, you are given an economic, political and social advantage over someone who doesn't classify themself as straight. Yes, you get a financial advantage because although against the law, many employers don't hire and/or fire people based off of their sexual orientation. Although gay marriage was recently made legal in the United States by the Supreme Court, gay couples don't receive the financial benefits of marriage because, well, their marriage isn't "real". Yes, you get a political advantage for being straight because you are more likely to get a leadership position in comparison to your LGBTQA+ counterparts. And yes, you get a social advantage for being straight because you don't get bullied, harassed, or even killed because you're a man who is in love with another man. If you are straight in this world, you are privileged.
Sidenote: Even in the LQBTQA+ community there is a level of privilege. People who identify themselves as Bisexual receive higher amounts of discrimination from members of the straight and the LGBTQA+ community, biphobia is a real thing folks.
Have you ever thought about your economic class? Being born into a financially stable family can help guarantee your health, happiness, safety, education, intelligence, and future opportunities. Not saying you automatically get those things, or not to say that people with no money aren't happy, but money bring access and opportunity. If you don't have money, your chances of having access to things you need to be successful are extremely slim. If you have money, you my friend, are privileged.
Get the message? If your position gives you an unfair advantage over someone who doesn’t have that same access to it and its benefits, is an example of a privilege. Now you may be asking, ‘what do I do to not be problematic?’ The answer is simple. Recognizing you have a privilege is the first step. Understand that you benefit from an unfair advantage and recognize how you capitalize off of it. Second, advocate for those who don’t have that same privilege. You can’t forfeit your privilege, but you can make sure that no one is excluded from the same opportunities that you have access to. Third, continue to educate yourself and those around you. What good is the knowledge you learn if you don’t share it with others?
So again, I ask. Do you know your privilege?
