Title: How To Talk About Privilege To Someone Who Doesn't Know What That Is - Everyday Feminism
Headings: How To Talk About Privilege To Someone Who Doesn’t Know What That Is
How To Talk About Privilege To Someone Who Doesn’t Know What That Is
1. Start By Appealing To the Ways In Which They Don’t Have Privilege
2. Stress That Privilege Is Relative
3. A System of Privilege and Oppression Hurts Us All
4. Privilege Does Not Have To Mean Guilt!
5. Offer Concrete Ways That They Can Undermine the System of Privilege and Oppression In Their Own Life
6. Make It a Conversation of Actions, Not Character

Content: If someone mentions an oppressive pattern that relates to privilege, i.e. “Men always dominate conversations and talk over women because they are taught that their voices are more valuable,” consider ways that you can choose not to participate in that pattern by, say, being aware of how often you’re speaking and stepping back to listen more often. Invest in accountable relationships across difference, not simple tokenizing relationships, and listen to those who do not share the same identity privilege about how this affects their life. Listening is the root of justice, after all. If some people are denied rights or privileges because of formal or state-sponsored oppression, refuse to participate in those oppressive systems. For example: If you’re straight, consider a commitment ceremony but don’t get married until all people can share in that legal right should they so choose. If you’re a white person with wealth and children, choose to invest in and send your children to a local, public, neighborhood school or at least a private school with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion rather than a lily-white private place with connections to the Ivy League. By encouraging action, you are not only helping the person in question a way to engage, but you are helping them un