You know what’s really interesting about privilege? The people who benefit from it the most are usually the ones who deny that it exists.
You know what’s really interesting about privilege? The people who benefit from it the most are usually the ones who deny that it exists.
What’s more… I think that most people who deny their privilege are attempting the ultimate Jedi mind trick. They, in fact, realize they have a silent advantage and by denying it exists they get to maintain that advantage. Some who benefit from an advantage actually want to keep it.
So check out this lesson with a recycling bin and some scrap paper.
The lesson started by giving each student a scrap piece of crumpled up paper
Then he moved the recycling bin to the front of the class
He then told the class, “The game is simple — you all represent the country’s population. And everyone in the country has a chance to become wealthy and move into the upper class.”
To move to upper class, all they had to do was throw the paper into the bin while remaining in their seats.
The students in the back of the room immediately piped up, “This is unfair!” They could see the rows of students in front of them had a much better chance.
As expected — most of the students in the front made it (but not all) and only a few students in the back of the room made it.
The teacher concluded by saying, “The closer you were to the recycling bin, the better your odds. This is what privilege looks like. Did you notice how the only ones who complained about fairness were in the back of the room?”
By contrast, people in the front of the room were less likely to be aware of the privilege they were born into. All they can see is 10 feet between them and their goal.
COMMENTS