Privilege Please

• Publication year: 2022
• Pages: 0029
• Citation: Vol. 27 No. 4 Pg. 0029

Privilege Please No. Vol. 27 No. 4 Pg. 29 Georgia Bar Journal February, 2022

Feature

As we move through work and life, it makes sense to periodically take stock of our privileges so that we can embrace those who haven’t earned them yet.

BY HALIMA H. WHITE

Privilege can be defined as the favorable treatment an individual or group receives based on personal characteristics. For example, those who are physically attractive have a privilege in terms of other people liking them, noticing them and wanting to be around them. Physical attractiveness can translate into more opportunities. Likewise, extroverts have a privilege in terms of getting noticed. Tall people have the privilege of being thought of as leaders more often.

One key about privilege is that we rarely notice our privileges because they usually have been a part of us for so long. We take them for granted. But we rely on our privileges because they help us navigate the world more easily. When privileges are removed, it can be a big threat. For example, when physically attractive people age (which can involve wrinkles and weight gain), it can be a hard pill to swallow that others are no longer affirming them constantly, and people are not doing double takes anymore. It makes sense that when privileges are removed— or even challenged—anxiety follows.

We all have some privileges. And we all love and rely on some of our privileges. As we move through work and life, it makes sense to periodically take stock of our privileges—occupation, socioeconomic status, intelligence, power, race, gender, tenure...