Exercise 2

SOURCE: Wie privilegiert bin ich eigentlich? – inkl. “Walk of Privilege” (niemblog.de)

Input

“What does privilege or being privileged mean?

But perhaps first in principle: What does “privilege” mean? Or perhaps the question is more appropriate: What is privilege-consciousness?

A privilege (pl. privileges, from Latin privilegium “exceptional law, privilege”) is the unearned advantage of a particular group in society. (everydayfeminism.com)

When I talk about privilege awareness, I think it’s important to acknowledge that it’s easier for some groups of people and harder for others to achieve the same goal. That could be: finding a job, being well taken care of, or just feeling safe. The nasty thing is that privilege is not really visible because when you are privileged, it is the normal state.

When I go for a walk in my hamlet, it’s normal for me to feel safe. In the normal state, I don’t have in my mind that many people don’t have this privilege – either because they belong to groups of people who are more often confronted with threats and violence, or because they live in regions where it is dangerous for everyone to go for a walk.”

“Making privilege visible

Now, what is the point of being aware that it is privileged to feel safe when walking feel safe? It would be nice if we didn’t have to talk about privilege at all, because it’s quite normal that we all have the same prerequisites for a good life.

Unfortunately, this is not the case, and if a problem is not visible, then it is very difficult to do something about it.

So the first step is: become aware that privilege exists, and accept your own privilege.

This can be difficult, because no one likes to hear that they have undeserved advantages. This quickly leads to inner resistance resistance arises very quickly, because one’s own achievements also want to be recognized. After all, we live in a society that sees personal achievement as highly important. Hearing that other people have it less easy in life, can also trigger feelings of guilt and shame. For example, the issue of privilege puts me under a lot of pressure.

But let’s relax for now. No one questions that life can be hard even for privileged people. And no one wants to belittle our achievements. Likewise, no one is helped if we feel guilty or ashamed or act out of internal pressure.

You may also find it easier to approach the topic from a state of relaxation. Maybe you might ask yourself, “How do I feel about being privileged or not privileged?” rather than “How do I think I should feel about it?””

Imagine you were the opposite sex, soon to be 18 years old, you have a rich family and you‘re used to these standards of lifestyle. But since a year you haven‘t got any contact to them because they feel blamed because of your partner, 30 years old, who comes from a precarious family background. Your family thinks breaking off contact to you is a clever punishment which would make you come back to your family early or late. Your partner is a low-income earner and you want to go to university next year if you win a scholarship, get fortunately family support or save somehow money until you can afford to go to university.
Yesterday you participated in an anti-capitalist demonstration. In a police counter-control, you twisted your ankle and fell down. It hurts and is swollen. You need help urgently because it gets worse.

Please answer these questions with “yes”, “no”, or “I don’t know”. What emotions do the answers trigger in you?

Can you get adequate nursing care for ankle sprain right now?

Can you kiss your partner on the street without reservation?

Can you afford to go to the movies or the pub at least once a week?

Can you assume that you have the same career opportunities as other colleagues with similar qualifications?

Can you feel safe from sexual harassment and assault on your way to high school?