“Privileged white girl.” What comes to your mind when you hear that phrase? Many millennials today would perceive it as a skinny girl wearing Ugg boots and holding a Starbucks Coffee cup both of which were paid for using her parent’s money. Privilege shows up in countless ways. Whether it relates to age, race, size or disability status, every single person carries some form of privilege with them wherever they go. In order to raise the awareness of this and allow for a more diversely accepted community, it’s important to acknowledge the privilege that you have.
Privilege is prominent in age. People in their late 30’s to 50’s are in the privileged group because that’s the time in life when most people have their jobs set, with a spouse and children. You can’t even become the President of the United States until you have reached the age of 35. Between 30 and 50 years old, your whole life is thought to be put together.
Within race, privilege belongs to those who identify as “white” rather than the marginalized group of persons of color, or those who identify as “biracial.” Although this dates back to when America was first founded, it is still a very strong idea in today’s culture. Those who are seen as “white” often receive more money in the workforce against others who have the same job but simply have darker skin tones, along with an extensive amount of other benefits.
If you fit society’s image of attractive, you pretty much have it made. “Beautiful” body types are shown everywhere nowadays. The media portrays women who are skinny and men who have muscle as being the perfect role models. Magazines constantly have pictures of women who are shown as “too fat” along with a caption of “how to lose weight NOW!” Television commercials show men using exercise equipment to build their muscle. In both scenarios, the main goal is to be happier as an “attractive person.”
If you are “able-bodied,” you are far more privileged than a person who suffers from physical, mental and/or emotional disabilities. Those who are impaired are seen to lack the skills needed for many job requirements. Because of this, it causes them to fall into more underprivileged group categories.
There is a societal viewpoint that those who have privilege are better than those who don’t. This is not the case. Each person belongs to some privilege group and it’s their responsibility to focus on which one(s) they are a part of. Doing so helps others who are not in the same privileged group, allowing for social justice to take place.
Privilege is when you don’t think something is a problem, because it’s not a problem to you personally. You are privileged. Acknowledging this lets you take a step back and think about ways to help everyone receive social justice. The goal of this is to have not only an equal, but an equitable society where every member feels safe.
Acknowledge your privilege.
