Gated Communities

Privilege is being able to drive or walk through a gated community and have the residents assume that I live there, that I am visiting a friend, or that I am in the market for a home - not that I am "up to no good."

Ignoring History

Privilege is being able to claim that racism is behind us and that skin color can now be ignored. Privilege is thinking that the Civil Rights Movement set everything straight.  Privilege is believing that the election of a black man as president means we can ignore the decades of improper treatment to minorities in America.  Privilege is not seeing how the race of our black president handicaps him from being able to talk about race.

History

Privilege is standing on the shoulders of generations of property owners and college graduates and claiming that I got where I am from my own hard work. 

the Benefit of the Doubt

Privilege is being given the benefit of the doubt in a scenario that is open to interpretation.

A "Traditional" Family

Privilege is growing up in a home with married biological parents of opposite genders, neither of which was ever in prison. Privilege is having a mother who does not have to work and is able to devote her time to taking care of her children's needs and ensure their success. 

Ignoring Signage

Privilege is being able to walk around a pond with a sign reading "This area is intended for property owners only. All others will..." and no one calls the cops, people smile at me and say "hello!"  Privilege is not realizing that if my skin were a different shade I may not be received the same way and that the property owners would be justified in having me removed. This sign reminds me of an older sign that was very common in our country just a few generations ago. 

Policing Strategies

Privilege is never being asked by police where I am going or what I am doing when I am walking down the street. Privilege is never even being suspected or questioned by police. 

Holding All The Cards

Privilege is being able to acknowledge the color of my skin shapes people's perceptions of me, without anyone accusing me of "playing the race card."

Freedom of Attire

Privilege is being able to wear a black hoodie with the hood up and not have anyone call me a "thug" or think of me as such. People won't follow me through a store or alert authorities of my suspicious actions. People won't call the police when I'm unlocking my own front door, suspecting that I am breaking in to a house.  People won't accost me.  People won't create shooting targets with my likeness on them.

Myopia

Privilege is seeing a level playing field, and not the mountain that others must climb to get there.

Deniability

Privilege is being able to deny that privilege exists simply because I have never seen it, because I have never experienced it from another's perspective, and have never bothered to consider that perspective.  Privilege is disregarding the systematic disadvantages of other people saying it's just "someone whining when they don't get their way."

Representation on the toy shelves

Privilege is walking into a store and having no trouble locating a toy with the same skin tone as you.  Privilege is not being of the race that requires you to scour the internet to find the few sources that do carry dolls that match your skin tone and hair texture.

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