Last year, I came across a tweet sharing an image for thousands to view and discuss online that still remains, to this day, as scarily relevant. It was a Home Depot worksheet created with the goal to determine exactly what “privilege” is. Along with the tweet came a barrage of mixed feelings about such a worksheet’s efficacy, its meaning, and whether or not such a worksheet could or would do any good.
Good points! Although I am white, and if I were not that would have been a disadvantage at various times in my life, I judge that the greatest advantages that I had in my life were to be born healthy, in the US, to a (single) loving and responsible mom who earned enough to keep a roof over our heads. Those circumstances alone gave me endless opportunities, along with every other kid born in the US in the modern era to families that weren't abusive or crushingly poor.
Beyond that, my privilege was to have a high IQ, a personality that loved learning everything, and then icing on the cake when I got to college and discovered that the ugly duckling had turned into a swan. Being pretty opened a LOT of doors! But I would have found a husband and had a good life and professional career even if I wasn't particularly attractive.
Privilege, truly, is everywhere. But tearing your hair out over every instance of it, trying to make sense of it, is a bad game, generally. Understanding that the world is mostly an unfair place is part of being an adult- obsessing over ever instance of unfairness is a road straight to the madhouse. Given or taken? Depends on the privilege, I would think. Mostly, given. When people speak of privilege, I think they mostly mean "unearned"- as opposed to something you worked for.
I wrote a substack on the myth of white privilege in the US citing that many who washed up on its shores in the 1800s and early 1900s did so in floating coffins to escape the hellhole of Europe. With the reward, perhaps only a generation later, of having their sons sent back to fight a brutal world war, for suspect reasons. This isn't to deny the brutal racism/segregation against Blacks, Asians, those of Hispanic heritage, and Native Americans. "Othering" is an ugly, depraved attribute that we should always seek to eliminate. But privilege rhetoric destroys meritocracy. Who would watch professional - or even high school - athletics following this mantra? Add to that travel on a plane or undergoing surgery. The other fearful outcome is the continued creation of an elite class that bows down to the rhetoric in public while embracing the ubermensch mentality.
Sorry, I've fallen behind with work and just got to this article. That said, this is a great angle of observation, Judson. Whenever our lazy world pigeonholes individuals into ideological boxes, they strip that individuality, and all of the unique attributes and experiences which fostered it, away.
When we break each of these labels down into sub-labels, and then into sub-sub-labels as you have done, the folly of the planned agenda is exposed. None of us is any one thing, however dominant a trait that thing might be considered to be. Taking it to additional levels clearly shows how ridiculous the concept is - there are 7+ billion of us, and no two are exactly alike. Additionally, besides being forced into such boxes by others, why would anyone voluntarily choose to put themselves there? As you've stated - to embrace victim status.
This is in line with many of the points I raised in my book. If you would consider it, I'd love to hear your thoughts. It was given a 5/5 review at Online Book Club, but that was from a faceless reviewer with whom I've had no contact. Having read your work, I have a feel for the type of free thinking you support, and would greatly respect your input, good or bad.
If you have any interest, reach out to me at ZepharethLedbetter@gmail.com, and I will arrange to get you a copy. And of course, if not, I completely understand.
Good points! Although I am white, and if I were not that would have been a disadvantage at various times in my life, I judge that the greatest advantages that I had in my life were to be born healthy, in the US, to a (single) loving and responsible mom who earned enough to keep a roof over our heads. Those circumstances alone gave me endless opportunities, along with every other kid born in the US in the modern era to families that weren't abusive or crushingly poor.
Beyond that, my privilege was to have a high IQ, a personality that loved learning everything, and then icing on the cake when I got to college and discovered that the ugly duckling had turned into a swan. Being pretty opened a LOT of doors! But I would have found a husband and had a good life and professional career even if I wasn't particularly attractive.
How is privilege" derived? Is it given or taken? Do those with privilege hoist it on themselves? If it isn't legitimate why is it worth acknowledging?
Privilege, truly, is everywhere. But tearing your hair out over every instance of it, trying to make sense of it, is a bad game, generally. Understanding that the world is mostly an unfair place is part of being an adult- obsessing over ever instance of unfairness is a road straight to the madhouse. Given or taken? Depends on the privilege, I would think. Mostly, given. When people speak of privilege, I think they mostly mean "unearned"- as opposed to something you worked for.
I wrote a substack on the myth of white privilege in the US citing that many who washed up on its shores in the 1800s and early 1900s did so in floating coffins to escape the hellhole of Europe. With the reward, perhaps only a generation later, of having their sons sent back to fight a brutal world war, for suspect reasons. This isn't to deny the brutal racism/segregation against Blacks, Asians, those of Hispanic heritage, and Native Americans. "Othering" is an ugly, depraved attribute that we should always seek to eliminate. But privilege rhetoric destroys meritocracy. Who would watch professional - or even high school - athletics following this mantra? Add to that travel on a plane or undergoing surgery. The other fearful outcome is the continued creation of an elite class that bows down to the rhetoric in public while embracing the ubermensch mentality.
Sorry, I've fallen behind with work and just got to this article. That said, this is a great angle of observation, Judson. Whenever our lazy world pigeonholes individuals into ideological boxes, they strip that individuality, and all of the unique attributes and experiences which fostered it, away.
When we break each of these labels down into sub-labels, and then into sub-sub-labels as you have done, the folly of the planned agenda is exposed. None of us is any one thing, however dominant a trait that thing might be considered to be. Taking it to additional levels clearly shows how ridiculous the concept is - there are 7+ billion of us, and no two are exactly alike. Additionally, besides being forced into such boxes by others, why would anyone voluntarily choose to put themselves there? As you've stated - to embrace victim status.
This is in line with many of the points I raised in my book. If you would consider it, I'd love to hear your thoughts. It was given a 5/5 review at Online Book Club, but that was from a faceless reviewer with whom I've had no contact. Having read your work, I have a feel for the type of free thinking you support, and would greatly respect your input, good or bad.
If you have any interest, reach out to me at ZepharethLedbetter@gmail.com, and I will arrange to get you a copy. And of course, if not, I completely understand.
Terrific article. ZL