Privilegefinal

Making Systems of Privilege Visible

Privilege is not visible in everyday life

Nobody talks about it Not recognized in legal doctrine Creates gaps in legal reasoning

Making Systems of Privilege Visible

Invisibility of Privilege Strengthens the power it creates Silence allows status quo to exist Cannot combat the invisible Thus, will perpetuate, regenerate, and

recreate itself

Making Systems of Privilege Visible

Language Veils the Systems of Privilege People are categorized subconsciously Conditioned images of “normal” Slips of the tongue re: race or gender Language plays a role in the invisibility of

the white privilege Causes of privilege are a power system,

creating privilege in some and disadvantages in others

Making Systems of Privilege Visible

What is Privilege? “Men only” club “Whites only” fountain “No colored people” at a restaurant

Making Systems of Privilege Visible

Privileged Groups Define the Norms Professional baseball for men only Golf clubs were only for Whites Wealthy (with more privilege) have higher

positions in society

Making Systems of Privilege Visible

Struggling Against Oppression Privileged have a choice to engage or not Silence by privileged is their opting out of

engagement

Making Systems of Privilege Visible

Summary of the Systems of Privilege Membership is the norm Privileged have ability to choose whether to

object to the power system or not Privilege benefits are invisible

Making Systems of Privilege Visible

Summary Conclusions White privilege from race power system of

white supremacy Male and hetero privilege from gender

hierarchy Class privilege from economic wealth-

based hierarchy

Making Systems of Privilege Visible

Visualizing Privilege Whites generally oblivious to their privilege All Whites are racist because they've used

their privilege with or without realizing Whites need to admit it, then try to change

it

Privilege as a Paradox

Privilege as a Paradox Privilege is a social arrangement Everyone is sorted into categories by

others Treatment depends on categories we are in Paradox when “being” privileged, as

opposed to “feeling” privileged

Privilege as a Paradox

White Privileges Whiteness is privileged in this society Only privileged if others categorize as

White Don't have to be White, if one can convince

others s/he are White Even clearly privileged Whites can feel

unprivileged when compared to more successful Whites

Privilege as a Paradox

Privilege Can Be Lost First identified as heterosexual, then

informs that one is homosexual (even if not)

Recognized to be White, but then informs that one is married to a non-White

Assumed to be Christian, but then informs that one belongs to another faith

Etc.

Privilege as a Paradox

Oppression: Flip-side of Privilege Social forces hold people down from

pursuing a good life While privilege opens doors of opportunity,

oppression slams them shut Cannot be oppressed unless a group exists

to oppress Example: A White male could be

oppressed because his religion is not Christianity, and he would not be oppressed based on being White or male.