‘When You’re Accustomed to Privilege, Equality Feels Like Oppression’

[KitSileya]

9. This is so true.

There was an article in the NYTimes recently about white men in the Democratic party who didn't feel like Hillary Clinton wanted them in the party. They were talking about how she needed to appeal to white men more, that it was a serious problem for her. Her crime? She doesn't use white men as norm when she talks about issues. She addresses issues that concern women. She addresses issues that concern minorities. White men, and white women to a great extent, are used to being centered in the political debate. It feels uncomfortable for many of us when we aren't. But as Boeskool points out, when you're accustomed to privilege, equality can feel like oppression.

Boeskool was privileged - he describes how he is given advantages over his colleagues, with regards to shifts, sections etc. His privilege was challenged by another white guy. I would be interested to know if he worked with any black colleagues, and can he now see a difference in how they were treated. Because how would he have reacted if he was accused of privilege before this guy came along and showed him by taking his privilege? Would he have been as open to those accusations?