Checking My Privilege: Character as the Basis of Privilege

[ksen]

http://theprincetontory.com/main/checking-my-privilege-character-as-the-basis-of-privilege/

There is a phrase that floats around college campuses, Princeton being no exception, that threatens to strike down opinions without regard for their merits, but rather solely on the basis of the person that voiced them. “Check your privilege,” the saying goes, and I have been reprimanded by it several times this year. The phrase, handed down by my moral superiors, descends recklessly, like an Obama-sanctioned drone, and aims laser-like at my pinkish-peach complexion, my maleness, and the nerve I displayed in offering an opinion rooted in a personal Weltanschauung. “Check your privilege,” they tell me in a command that teeters between an imposition to actually explore how I got where I am, and a reminder that I ought to feel personally apologetic because white males seem to pull most of the strings in the world.

I do not accuse those who “check” me and my perspective of overt racism, although the phrase, which assumes that simply because I belong to a certain ethnic group I should be judged collectively with it, toes that line. But I do condemn them for diminishing everything I have personally accomplished, all the hard work I have done in my life, and for ascribing all the fruit I reap not to the seeds I sow but to some invisible patron saint of white maleness who places it out for me before I even arrive. Furthermore, I condemn them for casting the equal protection clause, indeed the very idea of a meritocracy, as a myth, and for declaring that we are all governed by invisible forces (some would call them “stigmas” or “societal norms”), that our nation runs on racist and sexist conspiracies. Forget “you didn’t build that;” check your privilege and realize that nothing you have accomplished is real.

This Fortgang kid spent a lot of time showing that he doesn't understand what "checking your privilege" actually means.

 

[ksen]

Angry Bear had a takedown on this kid's essay this weekend:

http://angrybearblog.com/2014/05/ch...a-merit-admittee-format-corrected-repost.html

 

[AthenaAwakened]

http://theprincetontory.com/main/checking-my-privilege-character-as-the-basis-of-privilege/

There is a phrase that floats around college campuses, Princeton being no exception, that threatens to strike down opinions without regard for their merits, but rather solely on the basis of the person that voiced them. “Check your privilege,” the saying goes, and I have been reprimanded by it several times this year. The phrase, handed down by my moral superiors, descends recklessly, like an Obama-sanctioned drone, and aims laser-like at my pinkish-peach complexion, my maleness, and the nerve I displayed in offering an opinion rooted in a personal Weltanschauung. “Check your privilege,” they tell me in a command that teeters between an imposition to actually explore how I got where I am, and a reminder that I ought to feel personally apologetic because white males seem to pull most of the strings in the world.

I do not accuse those who “check” me and my perspective of overt racism, although the phrase, which assumes that simply because I belong to a certain ethnic group I should be judged collectively with it, toes that line. But I do condemn them for diminishing everything I have personally accomplished, all the hard work I have done in my life, and for ascribing all the fruit I reap not to the seeds I sow but to some invisible patron saint of white maleness who places it out for me before I even arrive. Furthermore, I condemn them for casting the equal protection clause, indeed the very idea of a meritocracy, as a myth, and for declaring that we are all governed by invisible forces (some would call them “stigmas” or “societal norms”), that our nation runs on racist and sexist conspiracies. Forget “you didn’t build that;” check your privilege and realize that nothing you have accomplished is real.

This Fortgang kid spent a lot of time showing that he doesn't understand what "checking your privilege" actually means.

one of a great many things he doesn't understand, I'm sure.

 

[Nice Squirrel]

I am so glad none of my youthful essays were published.

 

[AthenaAwakened]

I am so glad none of my youthful essays were published.

this wise statement is the FIRST thing this kid gets wrong.

 

[Togo]

I have no idea what the phrase means either. I can't check my privilidge, as it's almost entirely composed of how others treat me.

 

[Trausti]

I have no idea what the phrase means either. I can't check my privilidge, as it's almost entirely composed of how others treat me.

Would think the person who needs to "check your privilege" is the one with hubris enough to tell another to "check your privilege."

 

[AthenaAwakened]

I have no idea what the phrase means either. I can't check my privilidge, as it's almost entirely composed of how others treat me.

can you take notice of how others treat you?
Can you compare that to how people who don't look like you are treated?
If there is a difference, can you see it?
If you can, and you see that you are being favored, can you speak up for the person being disadvantaged?

That too is a way to check your privilege.

 

[repoman]

I think that the grammar of "check your privilege" is the same as "check your attitude" that someone would say to a coworker they is being a bit of a jerk.

One time (that I even notice myself) that I could have honestly been called out to "check my privilege" was when a coworker jokingly said to me "you are gonna be arrested for running to work one of these times" (I am often running late). My response was "I'm not black!"

Either Fortgang is surrounded by a bunch of reactionary liberal radicals or he says stuff that is even worse than my poor attempt at a joke all the time. Very likely the latter from reading his letter.

His previous twitter posts are telling as well.

 

[repoman]

I wish that the malcontentedness of society in general, much of which comes from the predatory nature of law, hyper-capitalism, financialization and rent-seeking could be addressed and we would not squabble so much amongst ourselves.

I think that calling a random straight, white male out for having straight privilege when you barely know him is uncalled for. However, if you have heard him use the bible to call gay people unnatural or talk about how weird or gross it is while at the same time talking about his girlfriend or women he thinks are hot in graphic detail -- then you can bring the hammer down.

The people who call out strangers for privilege with no evidence are probably looking to find a reason why they are in pain. It is tough being different, it can not be downplayed.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

So is that like some kind of frat thing? "Hey baby, want to come upstairs and check my privilege?"

 

[Togo]

I have no idea what the phrase means either. I can't check my privilidge, as it's almost entirely composed of how others treat me.

can you take notice of how others treat you?
Can you compare that to how people who don't look like you are treated?

Not really, no. I'm in the UK, so it's not appearance that's the issue so much as social group, group norms, and cultural bias.

I go for an interview, and I get the job. Was that because I'm the right person for the role, or because I'm a posh, white, alpha cis-male, who went to a famous public school and university, who has the right contacts, and can give the interviewer the pattern of responses he associates with impressing people socially? Or is it because, in the absence of any useful information, they know they're never going to get in trouble for hiring me if I don't work out, while a disabled immigrant who also isn't successful might cause people to question their judgement?

I understand all the factors involved, but I'm really not in a position to witness them.

If there is a difference, can you see it?

Not usually, no.

If you can, and you see that you are being favored, can you speak up for the person being disadvantaged?

That too is a way to check your privilege.

Hardly. I can use my social power to ensure better surface treatment for those who have less of it than I do. In doing so, I enhance my own reputation as a leader-type figure within the group by showing concern for others, and ensure that the person I'm helping can never have a honest disagreement with me without looking like an ungrateful putz. That's not checking my privilege, that's using it to cement my own position, by convincing others that they were right to favour me in the first place.

Better than doing nothing, sure, but my privilege isn't 'checked', it's alive and well and doing better than ever.

I'm mainly taking about at work here. Other situations have different dynamics.

 

[AthenaAwakened]

I have no idea what the phrase means either. I can't check my privilidge, as it's almost entirely composed of how others treat me.

can you take notice of how others treat you?
Can you compare that to how people who don't look like you are treated?

Not really, no. I'm in the UK, so it's not appearance that's the issue so much as social group, group norms, and cultural bias.

I go for an interview, and I get the job. Was that because I'm the right person for the role, or because I'm a posh, white, alpha cis-male, who went to a famous public school and university, who has the right contacts, and can give the interviewer the pattern of responses he associates with impressing people socially? Or is it because, in the absence of any useful information, they know they're never going to get in trouble for hiring me if I don't work out, while a disabled immigrant who also isn't successful might cause people to question their judgement?

I understand all the factors involved, but I'm really not in a position to witness them.

If there is a difference, can you see it?

Not usually, no.

If you can, and you see that you are being favored, can you speak up for the person being disadvantaged?

That too is a way to check your privilege.

Hardly. I can use my social power to ensure better surface treatment for those who have less of it than I do. In doing so, I enhance my own reputation as a leader-type figure within the group by showing concern for others, and ensure that the person I'm helping can never have a honest disagreement with me without looking like an ungrateful putz. That's not checking my privilege, that's using it to cement my own position, by convincing others that they were right to favour me in the first place.

Better than doing nothing, sure, but my privilege isn't 'checked', it's alive and well and doing better than ever.

I'm mainly taking about at work here. Other situations have different dynamics.

you think that appearance isn't a problem in the UK?

 

[Keith&Co.]

So is that like some kind of frat thing? "Hey baby, want to come upstairs and check my privilege?"

I had thought it was more of a 'hat and coat' sort of check. Like check your ego at the door and we'll get along.

Check your privileged outside and try to get a table at the trendy spot.
Or check your privilege with the career counselor and try to get into your chosen college...

I guess it's more of a dipstick sort of thing.

 

[Togo]

you think that appearance isn't a problem in the UK?

Having lived in both countries, I don't think it's the most powerful influence in the UK, nor is it the same problem in the same way as in the US.

 

[Togo]

So is that like some kind of frat thing? "Hey baby, want to come upstairs and check my privilege?"

I had thought it was more of a 'hat and coat' sort of check. Like check your ego at the door and we'll get along.

Check your privileged outside and try to get a table at the trendy spot.
Or check your privilege with the career counselor and try to get into your chosen college....

Sure, but how can I check it? It's other people's behaviour to me. Short of going in disguise to change my origins, I'm kinda stuck with it. Or should I just not try to do well at stuff?

I guess it's more of a dipstick sort of thing.

I guess, but it's not particularly easy to measure.

I don't have a violent objection to the phrase - I just don't find it particularly useful.

 

[Mumbles]

My first thought was "Um, what a remarkable display of unchecked privilege that essay was." Given the things he says, I assume he gets told to check his privilege because he likes to go on about how so-and-so must have gotten into Princeton due to Affirmative Action or some such. But whatever, he's an ignorant college freshman (apologies to any thoughtful college freshmen reading this), I don't really care what he thinks.

But who on earth decided that his silly essay was appropriate for Time Magazine, or that he should be blathering on tv? I'm reminded of that kid that was a speaker at CPAC a few years ago, just spouting standard talking points without having any real insight into what he was saying, and ended up completely disavowing his speech a few years later. Both have been given wildly in appropriate platform from which to spout their nonsense, and while neither knows better, the people who own and run the platforms should.

 

[Keith&Co.]

Well, one can't actually check their ego at the door. They don't have receipts for it. And the cloakroom girl looks at you odd until you say nevermind.
But one can be made aware of the fact that some ego-indulging behavior gets in the way of whatever is going on.

Same with privilege. You can't be expected to go in disguise. But perhaps someone might have told Marie Antoinette that her 'let them eat cake' remark betrayed a lot of privilege in her life and wasn't helping the discussion of the conditions of the poor.

 

[Togo]

Well, one can't actually check their ego at the door. They don't have receipts for it. And the cloakroom girl looks at you odd until you say nevermind.

I met a cloakroom girl who gave me a receipt for my ego. She was ace. She said it was too big to go in the cubbyholes, so she's have to put in the back room.

But one can be made aware of the fact that some ego-indulging behavior gets in the way of whatever is going on.

Same with privilege. You can't be expected to go in disguise. But perhaps someone might have told Marie Antoinette that her 'let them eat cake' remark betrayed a lot of privilege in her life and wasn't helping the discussion of the conditions of the poor.

Sure, some people are idiots.

However, Mary Antoinette was making a pun that didn't translate well. As I understand it, what she said when told the poor didn't have enough Bread (pain), she said they should eat a different kind of bread (brioche - a cake-like bread). She was basically saying the same sort of 'if the poor don't like their lot in life they should get their act together and try something different' right wing talking point that you see rather a lot on these forums.

If she had carefully acknowledged her own privilege before declaring that the poor shouldn't be relying on handouts, would that make her any less wrong?

 

[AthenaAwakened]

you think that appearance isn't a problem in the UK?

Having lived in both countries, I don't think it's the most powerful influence in the UK, nor is it the same problem in the same way as in the US.

uh huh

Has the BNP or have they not elected at least one member of parliament? Is there such a thing as "Paki-bashing?" and one more question, how many people of color in your circle of acquaintances have you discussed this with?

You need not respond here. Just think about these questions when you are going about your day.