What is Privilege?

Discussing racial differences and diversity requires both humility and patience from everyone involved.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

When the Iowa Legislature debated a bill that prohibited race and sex stereotyping in diversity training held in public schools, community colleges, and public universities, the concept of “white privilege” came to the forefront. 

Several Democrats wondered aloud if concepts like “white privilege” would be allowed under the bill. One Republican lawmaker said he believed “white privilege” was a racist term. 

Personally, I’m not a fan of the phrase “white privilege.” I believe it is used too broadly and does not take into consideration personal history, socio-economic background, and geographical location.

For instance, would a white person in Appalachia be considered privileged? Compared to some, perhaps, others not so much. 

Before I go further, it would be helpful to define privilege. Merriam-Webster defines it as “a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor.” In particular, a right or immunity “attached specifically to a position or an office.”

The University of San Francisco has a “white privilege resource guide,” they define privilege as “unearned access to social power based on membership in a dominant social group.”

They encourage white people – mainly white, Christian, heterosexual, able-bodied, middle-class, or upper-class males, to “check our privilege.” 

They state, “becoming aware of privilege should not be viewed as a burden or source of guilt, but rather, an opportunity to learn and be responsible so that we may work toward a more just and inclusive world.”

Unfortunately, “check your privilege” has regrettably been a phrase to silence debate and shame people.

However, the concept that certain groups have had “unearned access to social power based on membership in a dominant social group” is historically accurate, I don’t know how anyone can deny that fact.

So I have to disagree with the Republican lawmaker who said the term is racist, at least not inherently. As a concept, I don’t always think it’s used constructively, but I can agree that I have benefitted from historical privilege as a white man who lives in the United States. That said, I don’t believe our country is inherently racist, but we need to be willing to recognize our historical warts and where historical privilege has led to systematic disadvantages for some as we seek to become a “more perfect” union.

I believe systemic racism exists because I believe we are born with a sin nature and live in a broken and sinful world.

I also don’t believe I should feel guilty or ashamed because I was born white. I was “fearfully and wonderfully made” just like you were and everyone who has walked this earth are. We are all image-bearers of God and, as such, have dignity and worth. Our problem, historically, is not original skin, but original sin because ever since the fall of man, bigotry has existed.