Concept Identification Project

HDF 110

Privilege: Making it happen and Making it work…

WHY DON’T DOMINANT GROUPS RECOGNIZE PRIVILEGE AS A PROBLEM AND WHY WOULD PEOPLE NOT WANT TO CHANGE AN UNFAIR SYSTEM?

Failure to recognize that it exists in the first place- Many people are content to live in blissful ignorance, and some people live in systems where they are somewhat “insulated” from the overt effects of privilege so they just do not see it and are even puzzled or angry about suggestions that it exists.

They do not have to- If they are not experiencing the effects personally or it is not evident in some large way, they do not feel compelled towards action. They are comfortable in the status quo of their lives.

They believe that it is strictly a personal problem (individualistic thinking)-

They believe that it is not the “system” that is the problem, but the individuals in certain groups are more likely to cause problems and “get what they deserve” they will even quickly point out “white people go to prison too…it is all about individual choices…”

They want to hang onto their privilege- They recognize that they would be giving something up and that maybe some things would be more difficult (more competition, more work, etc…)

They have internalized prejudice ideas – They believe the negative things about a group or groups and may even be openly hostile towards those groups.

Fear- They are afraid of unconscious feelings of guilt surfacing if they acknowledge the problems or of anger or rejection that may be directed towards them by members of the dominant group for “stirring up trouble”

Individualism : How it affects the way we see prejudice and privilege:

Limits our understanding of the social world as just being about people, human nature, good and bad attributes, personalities, etc…which in turn makes problems in the world someone’s “fault.” The consequences of individualistic thinking involve people either feeling blamed or deciding “other people are racist, sexist, etc…but since I am not, it is not my problem…”

“The Tin Cup” approach…essentially is the idea that if you appeal to people’s general sense of goodness they may make attempts to do “individual” deeds or take action aimed at “helping” underprivileged people or groups.

Problems with this?

Depends on a person’s motivation and own circumstances at any given time to continue investment in action/s to change.

May continue to position people as those with power (even power to help) and those as subordinate to the privileged groups…creates yet another divide…”us” and “them” and as long as that continues, there will always be a dominant group and a subordinate group with great power inequities.

In terms of treatment of people, every individual has a choice about how to treat other people. And individuals can choose to treat people equally, with respect, kindness, etc…and while that makes a difference in the lives of those people with whom they come in contact it does not solve the overall problem of privilege.

THE OVERALL PROBLEM WITH THE TIN CUP APPROACH IS THAT IT DOES NOT EFFECT FUNDAMENTAL LONG TERM OR SYSTEMIC CHANGE

It takes the involvement of all people in a given system (and the recognition that privilege is a problem for EVERYone, not just those who are denied it or are denying it to others) to make systemic change.

HOW WE TAKE OURSELVES OUT OF THE EQUATION OF PRIVILEGE:

Deny and Minimize- Focus on “how much better things are these days…” Point out the exceptions (tokenism), Point out that “everyone can have anything they want if they just work hard enough…” Focus on the benefits of being part of a subordinate groups (“they actually get things we don’t…)

Blame the Victim- Focus on all the negative stereotypes of different groups and point out if they just acted more like the dominant group they would be better. Magnify the negative actions of the minority groups, especially as they pertain to ways in which they have endangered others.

Euphemisms (Calling it Something Else)- Normalizing it by labeling it in ways that everyone can relate to: “Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars.” Especially true in terms of systems of sexism as there seems to more permission to “playfully” poke fun of stereotypical ideas because most people’s microsystems involve these type of family relationships, between mother and father, sisters and brothers, etc.

It is Better this Way- Using denial and labeling to promote the idea that people actually want to be separated and would rather be around their own kind, or that men and women like the way things are…it is tradition that the man is stronger and takes care of the woman and that the woman is more nurturing. Another way this happens is when people point to segregated neighborhoods, places of worship, recreation, etc as a sign that the marginalized groups prefer to live their lives separate from the majority groups.

I Am One of the Good Ones- Focus on your individual good intentions and behavior towards people of subordinate groups. Only “bad” people in society are the perpetrators of racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. c.

It Does not Count if You Do not “Mean” it- Denies the actual consequences to the subordinate group by stating that it is only a problem when people do overtly bad things to people. Does not recognize the powerful nature of stereotyping and prejudice through everyday interactions and socialization.