Privilege = shit you don't have to put up with

[bhikkhu]

248. Totally agree

and a few more threads on the topic are well worthwhile, as the more it is discussed the more people think about it, and the better the odds are that the tide may turn, some day.

As a straight white male, I can relate - there are so many things I've just never had to worry about. I've always been given the benefit of the doubt, and generally had no problems with the basic stuff - getting a job or job training, being trusted in most situations, qualifying for loans and things, all kinds of thing that are taken for granted.

Back when I worked for GM in an office/phone job that required some mechanical knowledge, my second year there I was transferred to another office (a good opportunity they gave me because I asked), where most of the people doing the same job were women. They were very good at it and had more years of specific experience than me, but I soon learned that they were all paid about 30% less than me. Why? I can't think of any reason other than that they were women; valued less, considered more replaceable and less likely to move on or find better opportunities. It was a good job, but the whole thing kind of poisoned the working environment and I quit after another 6 months...plenty of other anecdotes I could think of over the years, and I'm sure I'm far from alone.