An Exploration of Privilege
Privilege affords some kids to ring a doorbell and be welcomed with a smile, while others are shot. Privilege affords some academics the ability to play devil’s advocate and discount the experiences of others. Privilege affords some people the ability to walk away from a conversation when they feel “uncomfortable” while others are left trying to explain how actions discriminated against them. Privilege affords some legislators the ability to vote individuals ‘out’ or ban books, if they feel it threatens their beliefs, while others work to ensure history and rights are not erased. Privilege affords some leaders to believe “EDI is not a priority for me” while others use their privilege to create spaces of inclusion and work to change inequitable structures.
What is Privilege
Privilege. We often use the word in conversations as a shameful precursor to personal statements about diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI). I’ve heard speakers twist their hands and say, “I know I’m showing my privilege here but…”, or “I know I’m coming from a place of privilege, but…” But what is privilege? The Dictionary.com defines it as:
a right, immunity, or benefit enjoyed by a particular person or a restricted group of people beyond the advantages of most.
the unearned and mostly unacknowledged societal advantage that a restricted group of people has over another group.
With this definition in mind, do you ever think of your privilege? Do you actually know what privilege you have?
My reflection
I’ve been reflecting on my privilege recently as I develop content for an EDI corporate leadership workshop. In this workshop, I’m making a dedicated effort to create content focused on compassion and empathy, rather than blame and shame - something I often hear as an unfortunate outcome with some workshops. In my experience, shame and blame do nothing to move people forward rather, they can immobilize people. Working on the section on power and privilege has me thinking about all the ways I’m able to show up in places (or not show up), how I work, and the spaces I either feel welcome or unwelcome.
My privilege (and non-privilege)
A couple of years ago, I went to a large beauty store in an upscale neighbourhood and was followed by a store associate. Despite my insistence that I didn’t need assistance, they continued to trail me through the store and only left me alone when I paid for my purchase. Although my brown skin is on the lighter side, it was still darker than anyone else in the store at the time and it was clear to me the associate saw me as a threat–a thief, thug or any stereotypically synonymous terms to the word “Black.” This was after the beauty chain advertised its diversity training across its stores following accusations of racial profiling.
Clearly, the training didn’t work–not surprising as training without a strategy and an action plan never does.
I also lack privilege in some workplaces not only due to the colour of my skin, but my gender. I’ve been called various derogatory terms (too vulgar to list here) simply because I was a firm female leader.
Even with the racism and sexism I’ve experienced, I still have privilege–believe it or not. Because I am a biracial, light-skinned woman, I have certain privileges resulting from colourism. On top of that, the daughter of a white police officer and the wife of another. I know this. I am very aware of this. Growing up, I knew I could drop my father’s name and get out of a ticket. I wasn’t afraid of cops whereas other Black kids (understandably) harboured a deep fear. I was taught that the systems that penalized Black people weren’t unfair, but a necessary response to “their criminal activity.” If I stayed within my middle-class neighbourhood, lived in a two parent household, continued to believe that systems were designed to protect “good” citizens, and continued to reinforce the slanted rhetoric that the world was a safe space, I’d be shielded from reality.
But I ripped off the blindfold and got educated.
I learned that our privileges are unearned and often inherent and you can’t simply hand them back, but you can use them to create more equitable systems.
I immersed myself in books such as The Skin We’re In, How to be an AntiRacist, and Policing Black Lives and countless courses and conversations, to learn more about oppressive systems and their root causes. I worked to learn more about my privilege, how I perpetuate it, how it impacts others and how to use my privilege to change systems of oppression and inequity in workplaces and society.
Using Your Privilege for Change
We all have privileges in and out of the workplace, and we need to recognize them. And I believe many do. But in my line of work, I see many people with a stacked hand, defensive of their privilege and feeling shameful when it's called out. They have the power to use their privilege to expedite change, but sometimes they use it as a weapon. There is no shame in acknowledging and owning our privilege. But it is shameful when we aren’t using it to dismantle all discriminatory systems, but continue to double down to protect and uphold these outdated systems.
As I’ve reviewed, acknowledged, and owned my privileges, there are many lessons I’ve learned through education and practices such as meditation, to move beyond shame. As you work to embrace your privilege and use it to create inclusive spaces in the workplaces and in the world, hopefully you’ll learn:
to unlearn certain beliefs and behaviours
to allow yourself to make mistakes, ask questions, then do better next time
radical self-awareness and self-acceptance
about the complex history of privilege, its implications and outcomes
how to put your learnings into action and work to dismantle the systems that utilize privilege to create inclusion for some but not for others.
It’s hard and painful work when we believe that we have to give up our privilege, but we actually don’t have to give up anything. There is space for us all. I’ll leave you with this wonderful quote for your own reflection:
“When we identify where our privilege intersects with somebody else's oppression, we'll find our opportunities to make real change.”
- Ijeoma Oluo
