A Discussion on Privilege | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

A Discussion on Privilege

It is time to consider the prevalence and dangers of privilege.

88
A Discussion on Privilege
Harvard Law and Policy Review

Saying that privilege based on social economic status, race, gender, or educational status does not exist in our society is sugarcoating the idealized desire to be a colorblind society that does not see any population of individuals as being superior. Despite remarkable efforts to break down the concept that one population is superior to another and destroy the barriers that separate use as a human race, we are still separated by the concept that specific characteristics make a population or individual inferior to another. While there are countless factors that have prevented us from being able to view one another as being equal, one of the most predominant concerns currently separating us is privilege.

There are many definitions of privilege. According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, privilege can be defined as a special advantage or authority possessed by a particular person or group. A Beginner's Guide to Privilege published on Critical Social Justice defines privilege as a unique benefit or immunity available only to a particular community or group of people (Miller, 2014). While these definitions provide us insight into what privilege is, they do not mention that privilege is neither earned nor deserved by any specific group that reaps its benefits. One quote that really resonated with me when I was researching privilege for this article was "In reality, privilege is innate; it is a birthright that is automatically given to those who hold membership in a certain group or community." This quote came from A Beginner's Guide to Privilege published on Critical Social Justice.

These two definitions of privilege give us a basic understanding of how we as a society define privilege. I would like you to remember these definitions as you examine the following examples of privilege. I want to challenge you to consider the prevalence and dangers of privilege.

1. People vs. Turner (An example of White Privilege, Class Privilege, and Privilege of Education)

Brock Turner is a white, upper-class male who was a student and swimmer at Stanford University before being convicted of raping an unconscious woman in January of 2015. Turner was proven guilty on March 30, 2016. He was found guilty of three felonies: assault with intent to rape an intoxicated woman, sexually penetrating an intoxicated person with a foreign object, and sexually penetrating an unconscious person with a foreign object. On June 2nd, 2016, Brock Turner was sentenced to serve 6 months in jail. Turner was released on September 2nd, 2016- after serving just three months in jail.

The young woman that Turner assaulted will spend the remainder of her life recovering from the emotional damage of being raped and knowing that her rapist is still out there, while Turner only had to spend three months in prison.

How do we justify Brock Turner's shortened sentence as an appropriate punishment for his horrendously inappropriate actions? How does privilege influence our individual perceptions of the People vs. Turner case? More importantly, how did privilege influence the criminal justice system to release a rapist after just three months? When we see photographs and headlines about Brock, how does him being white, him being upperclass, and him having some college education change how we view this case? Would a rapist with similar charges be given the same punishment if they were African American, lower-class, or less educated? This case is an excellent example of privilege unfairly divides us as it shows white privilege, social class privilege, and privilege of education.

2. The Expectation of College (An example of Class Privilege)

For many of us, attending college after graduating from high school was an expectation. Middle-to-Upper class students that are born into families that decide to help financially support them in college have an innate privilege because they are expected to attend college from the day they are born. Parents dress them in onesies representing their favorite universities, discuss college majors with them in high school, and enlist them in any type of college prep program available. Yet for lower class students, who are born into families that may not have the resources to financially support them with college, are not always expected to attend college. College is not an expectation, for many lower class students, but a possibility. Attending college may only be possible if you work two part-time jobs or recieve the scholarship you've worked so hard to get.

This is an example of classism and social class privilege. The expectation to attend college, as well as the reality that college may not be an option, effects all genders, religions, and races. Young adults who do not attend college or expect to attend college are often labeled by others as lazy or unintelligent, but the truth is, class privilege does exist and we all need to realize that not every person is born with the same opportunities.

3. The Right to Get Married Without Question (An example of Straight Privilege)

While the U.S. Supreme Court Decision to support same-sex marriage shows an advancement in society breaking down privilege, the right to get married without question and without being attacked is still not universal for all couples. Same-sex couples are constantly questioned by family, friends, and the media and have to fight for the right to legally commit to the person that they love.

The right to get married is an example of Straight Privilege, which also includes not having to justify the legitimacy of your orientation. Many homosexual, asexual, pansexual, and bisexual individuals are harassed daily about their sexual orientation and relationships.

If a homosexual friend or peer of yours announced their engagement, would you respond with the same excitement as you would for a heterosexual friend? Would you question if your heterosexual friend had the legal right to get married? Would the validity of your homosexual friends marriage be a concern of yours, or would you merely be supportive and excited for your friend?

As you read in these examples, privilege can come in many variations. Privilege separates our society because of our differences, when we should be celebrating these factors that make us unique. I do not expect you to change your views on privilege, race, sexism, sexuality, or equality based on this article. However, I challenge you to highly consider your own biases and perspectives as a result of reading these examples of the influences of privilege. While we as a society need to celebrate our individual differences, eliminating the dangerous influences of privilege and recognizing that no one is superior to someone else is important.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

2794
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

449303
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

21568
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

44587
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments