Should We Find a Better Name?

The concept of white privilege has been a very hot button topic, particularly in recent years. Conversations in class have also prompted me to reflect further on this concept.

Privilege as a Trigger Word

As we have discussed, part of the frustration with the phrase “white privilege” rests in semantics. This frustration is particularly prevalent in underserved and underprivileged white communities. How can someone accuse them of having privilege when they are lacking in so many other ways? 

This can feel like some sort of attack or even a form of gaslighting. This idea that a person can see someone struggling and still call them privileged can seem like a minimization of that person’s struggle. 

The Complexities of Privilege

Privilege can be complicated. How do you explain to a white person in poverty that they have privilege in a way that someone like LeBron James or Beyonce does not? 

Ultimately the answer rests in the fact that there are different types of privilege that individuals can experience. 

A person of color or Black person can still experience privilege – both within their own communities and compared to the general population as a whole. One of the easiest ways for racial minorities to have privilege is economically. There is no doubt that access to capital and resources gives people access to power and opportunities that others may not have, regardless of race or ethnicity. 

Within their own communities, racial minorities with lighter skin complexions such as myself have privilege because of colorism. Though I still experience racism, I do not have the same struggles as darker skinned members of the Black community. This is also a form of privilege.

Furthermore, some individuals experience an intersection between being a racialized minority, economically disadvantaged, and even part of another marginalized group such as being LGBTQ+ or being a woman. Some people, on the other hand, may experience only belonging to one of the groups that I just listed. 

Ultimately, different people experience different privileges and also experience different barriers. Some of these privileges are based on phenotype, while some are not. Privilege is no monolith and it is important to acknowledge any form of privilege that one may have. 

This acknowledgment helps create a space where stating that another person has a certain form of privilege seems less accusatory. Additionally, this can help validate another individual in their struggles, even if those struggles may be different than one’s personal systemic challenges. This may make others more receptive to the idea of recognizing their own privilege and create a safer space for a genuine conversation to take place rather than an argument.

Is it Really Just Semantics?

I am not sure that there is a simple answer to this question. While I do agree that language matters and that changing the name could lead some people to being more receptive to this concept, I am not sure that it is that simple. 

There seemingly is a rather large group of people who are not just frustrated with the semantics of the word privilege, but also the underlying message. There is a frustration with the idea with the acknowledgement that being a certain race can give certain groups “perks” or benefits. A frustration with the acknowledgment that race is the one place that does not serve as a barrier in any capacity. 

While altering the semantics could be enough to change the minds of individuals who simply get triggered by the word “privilege” and nothing else, I do not believe it would be enough to change the minds of individuals who have an issue with both the word “privilege” and the underlying message. 

Maybe there are people who would accept this idea. However, I have had many conversations with different people who genuinely do not believe that their race gives them any meaningful advantages. I have even had conversations with individuals who have stated that White people are actually the groups being targeted and discriminated against currently. I understand that there are people who would be receptive to the idea that their race has not been a disadvantage for them. However I also think that there is an underestimation of how many people truly do not believe that being white has certain advantages. 

Again, I am not arguing that there would be no benefit to changing the name from white privilege to something less triggering. However, I personally believe that more people have an issue with the underlying message than the name itself. Until we can address how to make people more receptive to the underlying message, the concept will continue to be hotly debated. 

The Solution? 

In all honesty I really do not have a solution. I would be very dishonest in saying that I am a fan of making lessons about racism more “palatable” in order to appease people who are often willfully obtuse about the subject. 

However, I do understand that in order to make progress, there do need to be adjustments made as to how we talk about the complexities of racial identity and privilege. Looking at the semantics of the phrase “white privilege” and establishing one solid definition of the phrase that acknowledges nuances may be a good first step in the process of getting people on board. 

Ultimately, people on both sides of the aisle must listen to each other. Not listen to respond, but rather truly listen to the frustrations and concerns of each other so that they can find ways to move this conversation forward.