Skip to Main Content

Privilege and Intersectionality

Resources to learn and explore the multiple ways that privileges and oppression manifest in our various social, cultural, economic, and bodily identities and situations.

"Privilege" refers to certain social advantages, benefits, or degrees of prestige and respect that an individual has by virtue of belonging to certain social identity groups. Within American and other Western societies, these privileged social identities—of people who have historically occupied positions of dominance over others—include whites, males, heterosexuals, Christians, and the weathy, among others.

García, Justin D. 2018. “Privilege (Social Inequality).” Salem Press Encyclopedia.

 

What are some types of privilege, and how can we combat privilege blindness? [Infographic. Image text trascribed below image.]

"Privilege" by Cate Harpool.

Image text: What are some types of privilege, and how can we combat privilege blindness? [In different color circles] Religion, Ability, Gender Identity, Race, Class, Sexuality, Gender, Education. So what is privilege? "Privilege is the benefits and advantages held by a group in power, or in a majority, that arise because of the oppression and suppression of minority groups."* "Furthermore, privilege is, by the social justice definition, the advantages people have that they don't think about because they don't often think about because they never have to experience the oppressive side. Understanding it requires an active effort to see things from the perspective of other, underprivileged people."* And what can you do? "While you cannot get rid of your privilege, you can acknowledge it. When we force privilege into view and discuss it openly we engage in solidarity with those who do not share in certain privileges with us. Don't be afraid to make a statement, write a letter, post a blog, get into a discussion, or create dialogue and criticism in some way to comment on instances of privilege" **

*http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Privilege#Privilege_blindness

**http://mediasmarts.ca/digital-media-literacy/media-issues/diversity-media/privilege-media/what-can-i-do-about-privilege