what is privilege?

Privilege is a tricky word. It can come in many forms and can become quite a complex topic. Many people don't like to hear that they have privilege. They think that it's taking away from the fact that they have struggled in life. For example, a white woman might have been targeted by misogyny or have been homeless for a period of time. Those things are terrible and shouldn't happen to anyone. However, these things did not happen because she was white. She still has white privilege, regardless of other potential disadvantages.

Privilege doesn't make someone immune from all life challenges, but it does mean that someone can receive unearned benefits and/or advantages based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.

White privilege. Male privilege. Straight Privilege.

These are terms that have come up quite a lot in the recent media, and it can be hard to navigate what is true and what is complete BS.

An example you can see especially amongst race and sexuality/gender identity is in media.

As a straight white person, you can find endless forms of representation throughout the entertainment industry and media that don't have harmful stereotypes. Especially in the entertainment industry, racial stereotypes are heavily used and forced down our throats. Thankfully in more recent years, the media has become a much more inclusive place. However it is a PRIVILEGE to be able to quickly and easily find someone like you represented fairly. It is not fair for an LGBTQ+ person to have to dig through hundreds of movies, books, t.v shows, etc just to find someone that is like them. It is unfair for a person of colour to struggle to find someone like them that doesn't have harmful stereotypes surrounding the character.

We are not saying that a straight white cis-gendered man is not going to face hardships or is never going to struggle in life. However, they have it very lucky in terms of privilege.

The point isn't to start discriminating against the privileged, The point is to point out our differences, find a way for us ALL to have access to opportunities and to educate those who refuse to see the other side. Everyone in this world deserves freedom. Everyone in this world deserves a chance. No one deserves to be targeted for something they cannot control. This is why it is vital for us as a society to point out our own privileges and learn to work together.

Thanks for reading my piece!