Discussions about social inequality often involve examining the concept of privilege—the unearned benefits and advantages people receive simply because of their identity, whether race, gender, class, sexuality, or disability status. However, privilege also manifests subtly in how we argue during conversations and debates, specifically when the focus shifts away from broader principles to personal experiences or opinions.
When we argue about fundamental principles like justice, equality, or freedom, we are typically discussing broad social constructs that impact entire communities or societies. These discussions require empathy and an understanding of diverse perspectives. However, when someone with privilege enters such a debate and steers it towards their individual experiences or views rather than the overarching principle at stake, that is a manifestation of privilege.
For instance, consider a debate about racism. If someone states they don’t believe racism exists because they have never personally experienced or witnessed it, they are exhibiting privilege. They are ignoring the societal principle of racial injustice and instead centering the argument on their reality.
Centering personal experience over collective principles can be problematic for several reasons:
- It derails the conversation from the core issue to validating or challenging an individual’s viewpoint.
- It minimizes and invalidates the lived experiences of those impacted by the broader principle under discussion.
- It perpetuates inequality by preventing meaningful dialogue about social change and reinforcing existing power structures.
To foster genuine engagement around principles of justice, equality, and freedom, we must recognize our inherent biases and privileges. It requires listening to others’ experiences without dismissing them for being divergent from our own. It also involves examining our personal beliefs through the lens of overarching societal principles.
Understanding privilege in arguments involves recognizing that our individual perspectives are shaped by our individual experiences and backgrounds, resulting in biases in how we perceive and engage with certain topics, especially those related to societal injustices.
It’s crucial to distinguish principles, which are fundamental truths or guidelines for behavior, from personal opinions and individual beliefs based on personal feelings or experiences. While privilege can influence both principles and opinions, basing arguments solely on personal experiences without considering the broader context breeds a lack of empathy and can contribute to perpetuating systems of inequity.
In contrast, arguments grounded in principles encourage individuals to consider different viewpoints and challenge their own biases, fostering more productive conversations.
Recognizing when our views may be influenced by privilege, distinguishing principles from personal opinions, and keeping an open mind to other perspectives are vital steps in fostering empathetic, equitable, and constructive discussions about social issues.
Ultimately, privilege can subtly permeate our conversations and arguments. By shifting the focus from principles to personal experiences or opinions, we risk undermining crucial social debates. Awareness of this dynamic is essential for nurturing more empathetic, equitable, and constructive dialogue.
Want to learn more?
Podcasts:
Videos:
Posts:
- Power and Privilege: Responsibility and Leverage – Cynthia Silva Parker
- Violence Is Not a Culturally Specific Phenomenon: How Racist Stereotypes Damage Communities of Color- Everyday Feminism
Books:
- “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism” by Robin DiAngelo
- “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” by Michelle Alexander
- “So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo
Cover Photo by Micke Lindström on Unsplash
