Summary

The article discusses the concept of 'privilege' as it pertains to societal treatment, questioning whether the term is appropriate to describe the baseline level of respect and safety that should be afforded to all individuals.

Abstract

The term 'privilege' is commonly used to describe the advantages experienced by individuals who are white, cisgender, heterosexual, able-bodied, and neurotypical, which often result in a less stressful and more secure life experience. The author reflects on a personal encounter with authority where they received kindness and assistance, recognizing this as an example of privilege not universally experienced. The article argues that such treatment should not be considered a privilege but a right for everyone. It suggests that the use of 'privilege' may inadvertently perpetuate inequality by implying that basic human decency and freedom from discrimination are extra benefits rather than inherent entitlements. The author proposes that the societal norms allowing for these disparities might be better addressed through terms like 'implicit bias', 'racism', 'prejudice', and 'discrimination'. Despite the importance of language, the author acknowledges that focusing on semantics should not detract from the urgent need for action to address systemic inequalities.

Opinions

The author believes that the term 'privilege' may undermine the pursuit of equality by suggesting that certain positive experiences in society are extra benefits rather than universal rights.
It is emphasized that everyone should have the right to be treated with openness, kindness, and without suspicion, regardless of their identity.
The author asserts that the treatment typically associated with privilege is, in fact, what all individuals inherently deserve and should be recognized as such.
The article posits that the current use of 'privilege' could imply that those who experience it are receiving something undeserved, which is not the case.
It is suggested that the term 'privilege' might contribute to the oppression of marginalized groups by framing their lack of these experiences as a norm.
The author expresses that while the terminology is important, it should not overshadow the critical actions needed to combat systemic issues like racism, violence against trans individuals, and lack of basic resources for First Nations people.

Is ‘Privilege’ Really the Right Word?

The word ‘privilege’ is used to describe a situation where a white, cis, male, hetero, able-bodied, neurotypical person gets an experience of the world that’s somewhere between less stressful and up to / including less life-threatening compared to what someone in a different group would experience.

Recently I had an interaction with someone in authority — it may have been a cop giving me directions when I was a bit lost, or someone at the airport giving me extra help when I was overwhelmed with all the new requirements.

I walked away from that exchange, very aware that the kindness I was shown, the lack of suspicion & eagerness to help could have been very different or totally absent if I wasn’t white, cis, able-bodied, etc. A little voice whispered in my head ‘…that’s your privilege.’

In that moment, my brain was like — what? Privilege? Surely this is how everyone should be treated?

It’s a Privilege, Not a Right

Did you ever have someone tell you something was ‘a privilege, not a right’?

As in, it was a privilege because it wasn’t something you were entitled to, but rather that you got as an extra, or special, because you’d done or achieved something that meant you deserved something extra?

And in saying that, if you didn’t act right or if you misbehaved that privilege could be taken away — because it wasn’t a right.

Our privilege shouldn’t be a privilege.

Everyone should be greeted with openness, kindness and lack of suspicion.

Everyone should be equally considered for a job, no matter their name, skin colour or sexual orientation.

It should be a right to not be specifically targeted by police due to the colour of your skin.

It should be a right for people to give you the benefit of the doubt when you make a mistake, instead of throwing the full weight of the rules/law behind them because you’re not in the ‘privileged’ category.

It should be a right, an entitlement, to walk down the street and not be afraid you’ll beaten up because of who love, or because the body you were born in doesn’t match the gender you are inside.

Who chose the word privilege?

These things that we call white privilege, straight privilege, etc — are NOT privileges. Or at least, they shouldn’t be, in the strictest sense of the word.

Is it possible that it’s a subtle way to undermine the concept of equality?

Because privilege isn’t something you have a right to, so if one group experiences it the implication is it should be taken from that group, instead of given to the others.

How do most white people respond when you first tell them about white privilege?

‘I don’t get privileges because I’m white! My life isn’t all easy!’

And, in a way, that’s true — if a person doesn’t experience discrimination or abuse because they’re white, that’s not technically a privilege — that’s human decency that shouldn’t be withheld from other groups.

That’s a right.

It’s a right to not experience discrimination or abuse.

Could it be that using the word privilege in this context is still, semantically, a form of oppression?

Could it be that by using the word privilege, we’re implying that those receiving it are getting something not everyone else deserves— or something no one deserves?

What if we started calling it something else?

What word could we use to indicate that the ‘special’ treatment people in the ‘default’ category (default in our current white supremacist system, I mean) isn’t special, but actually what they get is what everyone deserves?

Maybe we already have a word for it. Maybe this concept is covered by ‘implicit bias’, ‘racism’, ‘prejudice’ and ‘discrimination’.

It just feels like a disservice to call it privilege.

It’s not a privilege.

It is the way every single person in the world deserves to be treated regardless of their skin, sexual orientation, gender, how their brain works or how their body works.

Not the Most Important Thing

As I’m writing this, I am aware that arguing over the semantics around using the word ‘privilege’ is not the most important thing.

We have First Nations people without clean drinking water, a high rate of suicide in trans individuals, violence facing many Black people due to the systemic racism within the police force.

We shouldn’t let a discussion of what we call it stop us in taking action to change what’s happening.

On the other hand, the words we use do matter. It’s worth saying that what we call privilege, really shouldn’t be a privilege for any one group.

Safety, respect, kindness, openness, benefit of the doubt, lack of immediate suspicion.

These should be rights, not privileges.