The Haves and Have Nots

This was one of my more favourite papers that we had to write this semester, and it got nice comments. And a 20/20.

The assignment:
Although most of us readily acknowledge the discrimination that exists in our societies, we often have difficulty recognizing the forms of unearned privilege that are the counterpart of discrimination. For example, imagine that a White woman and a Black woman walk into a clothing store at the same time. There are several unoccupied salespeople in the store. One salesperson rushes to assist the White customer. No one assists the Black customer. We can easily understand that the Black customer is the target of discrimination. What may be more difficult to understand is that the White customer is the recipient of an unearned privilege. This activity will help you explore this concept of privilege and understand how you as an individual may or may not be privileged.

For each of the categories below, read the example and write a second statement that illustrates the form of privilege specified. [mine are at the end of the paper]

After completing this exercise, discuss the following questions:
1. Most people have not given much thought to the forms of privilege they experience. Why do you think we are relatively unaware of the privileges we receive?

2. Do you think that once we are aware of one form of privilege we are better able to understand other forms of privilege? Why or why not?

3. To what extent is an understanding of privilege relevant to eliminating discrimination?

4. How can people become more aware of the ways in which they are privileged?
taken from: Goldstein, S. (2002) Cross-cultural explorations. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

My paper:

[Echo]
PSY355
Paper #6
11.14.05

The Smell of Stone When it’s Wet

Until privileges are taken away, we are often unaware that they are in our possession. I think that we are relatively unaware of privileges because, as the article The Trouble We’re In points out, discussing anything that makes society appear stratified tends to be taboo. Acknowledging that we have more power (and therefore privileges) than another makes us uncomfortable because it highlights the inequality that exists in the world and, more specifically, in America. Another reason people may be unaware of their privileges is because they are seen as normal aspects of everyday life- we do not remember ever not having them, they have always just been there. We consider them rights rather than privileges. Also, people may be afraid to acknowledge privilege because they fear it means they will be blamed for benefiting while others are denied.

While I believe that becoming aware of one form of privilege may help us understand other forms of it, I also think it depends a great deal on the mindset of the individual. Simply becoming aware of one problem does not necessarily mean a person will then recognize similar difficulties experienced by others. One important factor in understanding other forms of privilege is the degree to which we are affected by the one which brought the awareness about. Another important factor would be the extent to which we interact with others who are affected by alternate forms of privilege. I also believe that there are times when being aware of one form of privilege that we are highly susceptible to (in a negative manner) may make understanding other forms even more difficult because we become very focused on benefits and advantages that are inaccessible to our group. This may cause us to feel bitter or more hostile towards other groups whose lack of privilege may not seem as detrimental as ours feel to us. For example, I have an acquaintance who is white, homosexual and male. While he readily admits that heterosexuals are more privileged than him in many ways, he dismisses the fact that by virtue of being male he still has privileges unavailable even to heterosexual females. He discounts the reality that being white grants him greater access to certain privileges than would be available to a black man. He is only able to focus on the privilege difference between people who are gay and those who are straight, turning a blind eye to the differences between other groups. Of course, others are quite the opposite- once they see that they benefit from being white or upper class, etc, they expand their thinking to try to understand other privilege differences. Understanding other forms of privilege depends a great deal on how open to experience the person is (if ascribing to psychometric theory), and on the context of their environment and experiences.

Understanding privilege is highly relevant to eliminating discrimination. Until people are aware of the advantages that they have over others, they will most likely not feel that there is a problem or they will misattribute the discrimination and therefore have great difficulty eliminating it. I feel that acceptance is an important key to eliminating discrimination. However, there cannot be acceptance without tolerance nor tolerance without some degree of understanding. (Of course, none of these can occur without awareness!) Truly understanding privilege would lead to a better understanding of social construct and help people realize that privilege doesn’t necessarily happen on purpose and therefore there is no need to place blame in order to begin mending the problem. As mentioned, this fear of blame is a large stumbling block to accepting and becoming aware of the existence of privilege differences.

Although it sounds redundant or perhaps backwards, I feel that being willing to accept that there is a power difference between groups – not only economically and racially but in many, many other ways as well- is vital to recognizing privilege. One way people can become aware of the ways in which they are privileged is to examine the ways in which others are discriminated against. By recognizing what others don’t have, it may be easier to discover what we do have. By really examining those groups to which we do not belong and by comparing & contrasting, we might discover the differences in privilege. Better yet, just as traveling to other cultures helps us become aware of our own culture, taking on a role of another group or joining an out-group would make the privileges that they have or do not have become even more apparent. More than anything, I feel that an open mind and a willingness to undergo change- and the discomfort that sometimes accompanies it- are needed in order to increase awareness as well as instigate change.

1. White skin privilege: Can be pretty sure that scholarships will be awarded based on my academic experience and successes rather than my race.

2. Male privilege: When purchasing a suit/clothes for work, I don’t have to consider if the skirt is too short, the neckline too deep, the colours too “provocative” or inappropriate, etc.

3. Heterosexual privilege: I can freely discuss how I spent my weekend without considering if I have to play “the pronoun game” in order to maintain my safety

4. Ablebodied privilege: I can get to classes using multiple routes and I don’t need to really consider which way I take (or allotting any extra time) on any given day.

5. Middleclass privilege: If I need a loan, I can probably furnish suitable references and/or co-signers.

6. What other forms of privilege exist? Identify one additional form of priviledge and write a statement illustrating that form of privilege below:
Other forms of privilege: English-speaking American- can be sure that menu’s, directions, etc will be in a language that I can understand and be easily found (not squished on to the last tiny bit of the sign, etc)