Check your privilege! Okay, but how do I do that?
Well you curious social justice warrior, since you asked so nicely, here’s how to do so in TWO SIMPLE STEPS
1. Read this article! It’s honestly the best way to learn about the meaning behind it
2. Don’t freak out, breathe, I know it’s a lot to take in, and welcome to the world with a whole new perspective
When you say something inappropriate, exclusive, and ignorant what’s the first thing someone might say to you?
You guessed it! “Check your privilege.”
But what does that mean? It’s not something that you can physically carry around with you like a backpack and just search through it and go “Oh, yup! There it is, got it! Thank you for the reminder.”
But it can be like that if you do your research.
Today in society everyone is afraid to talk about discrimination, stereotypes, white supremacy, the patriarchy, feminism, etc. I have attached very simple definitions of those and they all deserve their own articles, maybe even books, but for now we will address one thing that those all have in common: privilege talks.
The best way I can describe it is something you carry around with you whether you want it or not. You’re born with it and society labels you with it because of your race, class, religion, gender, ethnicity, beliefs, etc.
Unfortunately, if you don’t like it you’re still stuck with it. So for example, I’m a white, middle class, able woman. So some of my assumed privileges are: decent education, not being questioned by police because of my skin color, being able to find foundation and concealer that matches my skin tone, being able to walk up stairs, and being able to get into places for free if someone finds me attractive.
Although I don’t like that in some situations I am given more privilege than others in society, I must acknowledge them and own up to them. Denying them won’t change anything. Instead, what I can do to help is use some of the privileges I have to be an ally and bring awareness to those who don’t have the privileges I am given when I am born. Or at least be aware of others who don’t have my advantages and accept, respect, and treat them well.
Check!
If I say some sort of microaggression towards a woman of color, I need to be aware that I might have said an ignorant comment like: “Ooh your hair is so soft, can I touch it?” Because my hair is seen as “the norm” in society, and I’m given the privilege of being a “typical woman”, not someone who is constantly being stared at for having hair that is different. I shouldn’t get upset and offensive, I should apologize for my ignorance, take a look at what I just said, and educate myself if I don’t understand why what I said can be extremely harmful.
If I’m checking my privilege, I’m also becoming more aware of people around me who do not have the same life as me and don’t receive the same advantages as me. As said in the Everyday Feminism article I attached above, I’m tuning in, I’m educating myself, I’m reflecting, and investigating.
So next time you say something ignorant, maybe someone will say “check your privilege” or maybe they won’t. But either way, next time someone says that to you: check it, do some research, and try to help make the world a better place.
You can be upset, angry, confused, and awkward about it, whatever you want! But that’s not going to change the fact that you need to check it. The more you’re aware of your privileges and acknowledge the fact that not everyone is born and seen equal in our society, the more you can help to make it so that in the future it isn’t that way.
