What is Privilege?
- From word.com
- a right or benefit that is given to some people and not to others
- a special opportunity to do something that makes you proud
- the advantage that wealthy and powerful people have over other people in a society
It is the first and third meanings that are most relevant here.
Yet this definition (like all the online dictionaries that I checked) is very limited. Privilege takes many forms beyond simply wealth and power. Yet even these forms are rarely acknowledged and often denied (we all like to believe we have got to where we are through hard work and talent). Privileges are easily ignored by those who have them (in part as they have a selective impact on the people we meet by default, so it is easy to imagine they are normal). All the benefits of privileges are highly intensified through being combined (intersectionality) just are the negatives of lack of multiple privileges. Privileges are completely pervasive in our society.
Here are some examples to get us started. Note that one of the key dangers I am trying to avoid is to use my own explanations of privilege, doing so risks minimising the benefits. Instead I’m linking here to articles by writing from the other side of privilege.
- White Privilege
- see White privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
- Male Privilege
- see The Male Privilege Checklist
- CISgender Privilege
- see 30+ examples of Cisgender privilege
Google will find you plenty of articles as well as denials that these privileges exist, even attempts to turn them on their head. I urge a great deal of caution when someone claims that a privilege that applies to them does not exist. It is far more likely that they lack awareness or empathy.
00-Intro.md 01-what.md 02-breakdown.md 03-recognition.md 04-response.md
What is Privilege - definition - different types - white - male - CIS - UK Citizen - University Educated - House owner - Ordained
Consequences of no Privilege - Danger - Voice - Opportunity - Intersectionality - Gospel perspective
Ministry with Privilege - Recognising my Privilege - denial - Awareness - what to look for - The Gospel as Good News for me - blessing - guilt - shame - anger - The gospel as good news for people without privilege - value - justice - transformation - hope - “We believe in life before death” - oh and we also believe in life after death - The Gospel and Privilege - the pitfalls - patronising - irrelevant - comfortable - Daily Mail Christianity - the possibilities - good news - voices - power - inclusion - encouragement - leadership - service God’s Kingdom - now - coming - to come