General Discussion

cinnabonbon

(860 posts)

90. I think, in a way, that I agree. (though I don't agree that a person can give privilege.)

Sun Feb 2, 2014, 06:18 PM

Feb 2014

If we had a society without a hierarchy, without a construct that props one group up at the expense of another. If we made a fair society from scratch, differences might not be recognized as flaws or privileges. Maybe. It would be interesting to see if humans would be able to live without a power structure like that, or if we'd turn everything into complete chaos.

But right now we don't have a fair society. We have an old system and ingrown hierarchies that are hard to shake, and that effects people even before they're born ( white wealthy people have the chance to get better health care and eat better, giving their baby a better chance at being grown healthy, etc etc.) It is so ingrown and normalized that it's practically invisible to some, because it's just "normal", you know? People are born into the structure, but they may not realize that it's a power structure that is less dangerous to them than it is to people without their privilege.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

113 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

There's been a lot of talk here lately about "privilege", so it may be useful to define it ... [View all] Scuba Jan 2014 OP

only in that men have all of it and apparently women have none leftyohiolib Jan 2014 #1

You gotta use it or you lose it! pocoloco Jan 2014 #4

That is accurate on a societal level; are you disputing it? el_bryanto Jan 2014 #6

He said "all" and "none" tkmorris Jan 2014 #10

Please give an example where Black folks (or Hispanics, or Native Americans) hold privilege. n/t 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2014 #11

Within a limited context - in a predominately Black area or location el_bryanto Jan 2014 #13

Privilege is not about "Comfort" ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2014 #15

apparently, people here think being black or female is a choice.... bettyellen Feb 2014 #35

ugh, this is as relevant as "hot girls" get to pick and choose their mates. And what is interesting bettyellen Feb 2014 #26

Precisely BainsBane Feb 2014 #67

I thought of a scary question ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #72

Does a straight white Christian cis-female have more privilege Major Nikon Jan 2014 #12

Interesting how it's most frequently straight white men who believe they are the arbiters of what is bettyellen Feb 2014 #24

I could say the same thing about certain feminists Major Nikon Feb 2014 #33

I get it, you think you are entitled to judge what "quantifiable" actually means, what "a wash" is.. bettyellen Feb 2014 #34

So what are your standards? Major Nikon Feb 2014 #37

Woe is you, all is so nebulous, unquantifiable and mysterious! LOL. Because penis? bettyellen Feb 2014 #39

I noticed you didn't come up with anything Major Nikon Feb 2014 #44

it doesn't matter to me how you find me- as you have explained- you are unfit to render judgement or bettyellen Feb 2014 #45

"divine meaning" Major Nikon Feb 2014 #48

look it up, maybe read by your gaslight, LOL. bettyellen Feb 2014 #49

gaslight ... Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #60

+1 ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #73

Bwahahahahaha!!! chervilant Feb 2014 #78

So does being born without one Major Nikon Feb 2014 #79

Good to know you recognize absolutes. chervilant Feb 2014 #80

I'd prefer you do it for me Major Nikon Feb 2014 #84

naah, you'd rather make light of the entire subject. and bog it down in minutia like your bettyellen Feb 2014 #85

Even so I'll wait for you to frame the subject Major Nikon Feb 2014 #86

By all means, hold your breath while doing so. bettyellen Feb 2014 #87

Blah, Blah, Blah, Ginger, chervilant Feb 2014 #88

I am Major Nikon Feb 2014 #89

You are?!?!? chervilant Feb 2014 #92

Perhaps Major Nikon Feb 2014 #98

Gaslighting bullshit. You feel entitled to frame the discussion on only your own terms. Making it a bettyellen Feb 2014 #81

I asked you to frame the discussion yourself and you refused Major Nikon Feb 2014 #83

Remarkable, yes YoungDemCA Feb 2014 #46

That is not true BainsBane Feb 2014 #42

So true ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #74

That is more ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2014 #2

I agree with your last point. Scuba Jan 2014 #3

True, but that saying seems particularly appropriate BainsBane Feb 2014 #41

did you have two loving parents? snooper2 Feb 2014 #63

did you have two smart ones? sheesh. Tuesday Afternoon Feb 2014 #71

Privi = private and Lege = law. Privilege = private law RadiationTherapy Jan 2014 #5

Many here are facially privilege ChazII Jan 2014 #7

Doesn't that fall under ableism? cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #8

Perhaps that would be a better ChazII Jan 2014 #9

I'm a little confused. You would disagree that it fits under ableism, or cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #14

I am confused to a point, too. ChazII Jan 2014 #17

This is a fascinating discussion. :) cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #19

Cinnabonbon you have taught me ChazII Feb 2014 #21

And you were kind enough cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #23

You're right that is a kind of privilege that I never contemplated I have BainsBane Feb 2014 #99

BainBane, thank you ChazII Feb 2014 #113

I must K you and R you phantom power Jan 2014 #16

A cute slogan, but nothing whatsoever to do do with the definition of privilege Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2014 #18

privilege - what conservatives means when they say 'freedom' or 'liberty' KG Feb 2014 #20

kinda of a dumb definition hfojvt Feb 2014 #22

Here is another one, being in the position where you dismiss others problems outright with "dumb" bettyellen Feb 2014 #25

This guy did not have "non-pothead privilege", unfortunately (life in prison for pot possession). Nye Bevan Feb 2014 #27

and my point being hfojvt Feb 2014 #28

so- being black or a woman is a choice like smoking pot? And when you work to fix laws, you should bettyellen Feb 2014 #32

If I recall correctly BainsBane Feb 2014 #40

Beyonce or Oprah=the exception that proves the rule YoungDemCA Feb 2014 #47

That is not my view BainsBane Feb 2014 #52

I know it's not your view, sorry... YoungDemCA Feb 2014 #66

BB was saying we'd heard that one before.... just as we have been told (here at DU) bettyellen Feb 2014 #55

Actually ... 1StrongBlackMan Feb 2014 #75

women are resented here for going to college and earning more than male drop outs. bettyellen Feb 2014 #82

I certainly agree with this me b zola Feb 2014 #29

How timely Tsiyu Feb 2014 #30

I'm a white guy, so I have nothing to say about this. Comrade Grumpy Feb 2014 #31

Privilege does not exist until a person or society has given it to someone seveneyes Feb 2014 #36

False, privilege is what you are born into BainsBane Feb 2014 #43

Is that from "The Secret" or "The Message" or another tome on empowerment? bettyellen Feb 2014 #50

It's from reality seveneyes Feb 2014 #53

and it is given in many societies, to certain groups. bettyellen Feb 2014 #54

I think, in a way, that I agree. (though I don't agree that a person can give privilege.) cinnabonbon Feb 2014 #90

Fantastic definition! BainsBane Feb 2014 #38

I guess by that definition..... AverageJoe90 Feb 2014 #51

Gamma Ray Bursts. Dutch Elm Disease. Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #56

The Spanish Inquisition! Methane rain on Titan. Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #57

....Being too rich! Following up my debut #1 album with an equally groundbreaking sophomore effort Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #58

Going down the drain! Spontaneously combusting. Being chased by werewolves. Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #62

How about Nickelback and the black clap? Major Nikon Feb 2014 #65

They are not a problem to me personally, no. Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #69

Chemtrails, the War on Christmas, daft facebook memes Major Nikon Feb 2014 #68

Writing the great American novel. Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #70

Last year I lost one of my trees to DED Major Nikon Feb 2014 #59

I remember when it caused all kinds of problems in the Midwest, back in the late 70s. Warren DeMontague Feb 2014 #61

My elm tree wasn't very privileged Major Nikon Feb 2014 #64

I can't resist a Scuba thread. k&r for exposure. n/t Laelth Feb 2014 #76

So if someone doesn't think like that, they can't be privileged? Donald Ian Rankin Feb 2014 #77

Sorry but NO that is wrong KentuckyWoman Feb 2014 #91

I've seen a lot of this discussion on privilege and I have to ask some questions here Arcanetrance Feb 2014 #93

In very loose, and general terms it means that whatever your circumstances- bettyellen Feb 2014 #94

That's a good answer thank you Arcanetrance Feb 2014 #95

and when you consider the big picture- the things needed to uplift others, would benefit every bettyellen Feb 2014 #100

I wholeheartedly agree on the maternity leave Arcanetrance Feb 2014 #101

In Ireland they love the poor Catholics fighting the poorest Protestants. They call it "keeping bettyellen Feb 2014 #102

Well articulated YoungDemCA Feb 2014 #96

It's not easy with all the word salad nonsense spewed by those that demand "debate" here bettyellen Feb 2014 #97

+ a gazillion. chervilant Feb 2014 #103

oh yeah, let's talk about pot privlege and Elm trees! NOPE. Not until you stop acting the fool. bettyellen Feb 2014 #104

Nicely stated. Thanks. Scuba Feb 2014 #105

I don't get it, may be I am an idiot, but sadoldgirl Feb 2014 #106

having more privilege is basically being less effected by systemic discrimination than others. bettyellen Feb 2014 #107

I agree with your answer, however sadoldgirl Feb 2014 #108

better laws and better education are good. god knows when we will get a congress that cares though! bettyellen Feb 2014 #110

Sorry to bug you again sadoldgirl Feb 2014 #109

ahhh, I get the czar reference now. tribalism is a difficult hurdle, and I think you are right- bettyellen Feb 2014 #111

White privilege means you don't have to be aware of racial discrimination. westerebus Feb 2014 #112