Insight On The Side: Understanding and Recognizing Privilege

Olivia and Raven talk about what privilege is, different types of privilege, how they are privileged themselves, and stress that there’s not a problem with it.

Note: There’s intermittent noise after 23 minutes, but we hope you’re able to enjoy the conversation.

Discussion Summary:

00:21: We’re gonna be talkin’ about all different types of privilege.

00:58: Olivia provides the definition.

01:23: What’s problematic with the word privilege? And why white people are triggered by the phrase “white privilege.”

02:23: A form of white privilege, in which people get to be an individual, rather than be held to the standard of the latest screw-up who looks like them.

03:17: Why not use the word “fortune” instead?

04:12: There’s nothing wrong with being privileged, and why it’s important to recognize your privilege.

04:53: What privilege actually is in daily life.

06:02: Raven and Olivia acknowledge different ways they have been privileged regarding education, employment, and the pandemic.

14:39: Being privileged through the ability to tune out of other people’s trauma and tragedies.

19:57: How the ability to disconnect relates to white privilege, and Raven briefly relays personal experiences with racism.

24:02: When people don’t want to acknowledge the problems others’ face, or they downplay them.

25:47: Privilege doesn’t mean nothing bad will ever happen to you, but that you’re afforded more opportunities to not deal with certain life circumstances.

27:53: Struggling and facing discrimination as people with disabilities, the circus of dealing with paratransit services, and how people who drive are privileged.

35:00: Folks assuming their community is representative of the rest of the world.

38:52: Having privilege is not a problem, it’s how you use it to understand and help others.

40:12: Outro.

 

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Music Credit: No Starlight Dey Beat - Nana Kwabena