Acknowledging Our Privileges: Perspectives matter

“Maybe if you worked harder or pursued something more practical, things would be different.”

?“If you just got more experience, you’d be able to find a better job.”

“Why don’t you just start your own business if you can’t find a good job?”

At one point or another, we will catch ourselves making privileged statements to other people ladden with an undercurrent of judgment. You would also have experienced being at the receiving end of such.?

These moments illustrate a broader social issue: the failure to recognise and understand the privileges we possess and the impact they have on our lives and the lives of others. These statements, while sometimes well-intentioned and, in fact, true to a point, can come across as dismissive or judgmental. They often overlook the complexities of individual circumstances and the structural inequalities that can impact a person’s opportunities and choices. It’s important to approach such conversations with empathy and an understanding that the opportunities available to everyone aren’t the same and that not all challenges are within an individual’s control.?

Trivialising Achievements

It is easy to trivialise others’ achievements, especially when we haven’t faced the same challenges. Despite? our good intentions, we make unhealthy comparisons and erroneous assumptions about people’s situations, unaware that our paths have been smoothed by privileges we might not even recognise such as access to quality education, supportive family backgrounds, or societal norms and governmental policies that favour our demographic groups.

This lack of awareness often leads to insensitive generalisations. When we don’t acknowledge the privileges we have, we fail to see the imbalances and the diverse starting points from which people begin their journeys. We overlook the fact that what seems like a standard or straightforward path to success for one person may be an uphill battle for another.

Here are some examples of statements reflecting a lack of understanding of the complexities and challenges others may experience:

1. “Maybe if you networked more effectively, you’d find better opportunities.”

• This suggests that the person’s lack of success is due to insufficient networking, overlooking potential systemic barriers or personal circumstances that limit networking opportunities.

2. “You should consider taking on more responsibility. That’s how you get promoted on the job.”

• This overlooks the possibility that the individual might already be overloaded with responsibilities or that workplace biases could be hindering their advancement.

3. “Why don’t you just start your own business if you can’t find a good job?”

• This ignores the financial risks, lack of capital, or support systems that might prevent someone from starting a business.

4. “If you want to lose weight, you should just exercise more and eat healthier.”??

• This statement can be dismissive of underlying health issues, genetic factors, or economic and social barriers to accessing healthy food and fitness facilities.

5. “Maybe if you were more assertive, people would take you more seriously.”.

• This can disregard cultural norms, personality differences, or the risk of backlash, especially for women or minorities who are often penalised for assertiveness.

6. “If you just got more experience, you’d be able to find a better job.”

• This fails to consider barriers to gaining experience, such as unpaid internships, the need for income, or discrimination in hiring practices.

7. “Maybe you need to rebrand yourself or change your image.”

• This can be dismissive of personal identity and authenticity, suggesting that success requires conforming to certain superficial standards.

The Layers of Privilege

Every individual carries with them a complex web of privileges and disadvantages. These can stem from race, gender, class, income, education, age, occupation, family background, access to classified information, or favourable policies. Some are visible, like racial or gender advantages, while others are more subtle, such as the unspoken support of a well-connected network or the security of financial stability.

In “So You Want to Talk About Race,” Ijeoma Oluo highlights the concept of “white privilege,” explaining how this particular privilege operates in society and impacts the understanding of racism. Similarly, Malcolm Gladwell, in his book “Outliers,” deconstructs the myth of the self-made person by showing how opportunities and privileges significantly influence success.

These works illustrate a critical point: acknowledging privilege doesn’t diminish hard work or talent; rather, it provides a more nuanced understanding of success. It’s about recognising the help and unacknowledged assistance that come our way because of certain advantages we possess, advantages that others may not have.

Here are some examples of subtle privileges, which are advantages that may not be immediately apparent but can significantly impact an individual’s opportunities and experiences.

1. Access to Quality Education

For instance, attending well-funded schools with experienced teachers, small class sizes, and a wide range of extracurricular activities provides a better educational foundation and more opportunities for personal growth compared to underfunded schools.

2. Supportive Family Environment

Having parents or guardians who are supportive, well-educated, or financially stable provides a more secure and nurturing environment where children can focus on their studies and personal development without the burden of financial stress or instability. Also, growing up in a household where financial needs are met without struggle allows individuals to take risks, pursue higher education, or engage in unpaid internships, all of which can be crucial for career advancement. Never underestimate being raised in a family that values and encourages cultural activities, such as reading, traveling, or engaging in arts. This enhances your cultural awareness, communication skills, and confidence in social situations.

3. Social Networks and Connections

Credible networks provide individuals with significant advantages in their career paths. Knowing people in influential positions who can provide internships, job opportunities, mentorship, and references can open doors that might otherwise be inaccessible.

4. Health and Access to Healthcare

Having access to quality healthcare, including regular medical check-ups, dental care, and mental health services, is a privilege that provides better overall health, which in turn impacts one’s ability to perform in school or at work.

5. Unconscious Bias Favoring Certain Groups

Being part of a demographic that is unconsciously favored in hiring practices or educational settings. For instance, people who belong to the majority racial or cultural group in a country or state may not face the same biases and stereotypes as those from minority groups.

6. Language and Communication Skills

Being a native speaker of the dominant language in a country can make it easier to access resources, navigate bureaucracies, and communicate effectively in professional settings.

7. Geographical Location

Living in a region with a strong economy, good infrastructure, and access to educational and career opportunities provides a significant advantage over those living in less developed areas with fewer resources. Similarly, living in a country with strong legal protections and social safety nets, such as unemployment benefits, public education, and healthcare, provides support in times of need, reducing the impact of personal setbacks.

Count your Blessings

Acknowledging privileges is not about guilt or shame but about understanding and empathy. Sometimes, we just need to back up and recognise that our success is not solely the result of our efforts but is also influenced by various factors beyond our control. By acknowledging these, we can cultivate a more compassionate and equitable view of the world.

It’s a call to recognise our privileges and to understand that these privileges often give us a head start in life. It’s not about discrediting hard work or achievement but about acknowledging that everyone has different starting points. This awareness can help us avoid making unfair comparisons, erroneous assumptions, and insensitive generalisations.

Never assume everyone has or knows something because you have or know it. Subtle privileges can often be trivialised because they are seen as “normal” or “expected” by those who benefit from them. Recognising these privileges is an important step towards understanding the broader context of inequality and working towards a more equitable society.

In the end, acknowledging our privileges is a journey of humility and learning. It’s about understanding that for everything we have achieved, there may have been unseen advantages that others did not have. And by recognising this, we can move towards a fairer and more empathetic society.