Understanding Privilege

The thing about privilege is that most people don’t understand they have it. With a limited viewpoint on the world and the inability to experience a life different from your own, it’s common to never think twice about what parts of your life might be considered privileged.

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For example, in America, being able to afford a higher education would be a privilege when compared to generations before today, because while the cost of higher education has risen by 3,009 percent since 1969, the average family income since that time has gone down. In 1969, the average cost of a four-year public university was $329. That average is $10,230 today and when adjusting for inflation brings the value of $329 in 1969 is equal to $2,374.51 in 2021. As you can see, these numbers show a bit of a problem. Student debt is now over $1 trillion. This isn’t the only area of privilege, but it does create an excellent example of how it affects everyone. Despite the fact that some of us may never have recognized that we have privilege, data shows that it exists.

Being cognizant of privilege and challenging it is a constant exercise. Personally,  placing it in the forefront of my thoughts and learning to challenge my position in the world is strange and sometimes confusing. Being forced to realize that not everyone shares the same opportunities or is guaranteed the same treatment based on uncontrollable factors is uncomfortable, but necessary. I think a larger issue surrounding privilege stems from misunderstanding of what privilege is.  Quite often, people tend to get defensive, citing their own personal struggles as a testament that they could not possibly be privileged. As a straight, white, male, I have been taught that privilege is something that puts me at an advantage when compared to other people. It can be easy to view that information as someone accusing you of being “better” than others and devaluing any hardships in your life that may have led you to where you are today. That makes sense, as everyone wants empathy towards their life’s struggles.

I find that it is important to point out that a person can have privilege and go through hardships in their life. These things do not take away from each other. Someone could have the privilege of being white in a society that statistically supports white supremacy, but also be in poverty. The privilege of being white does not take away from the hardships of being poor, because even though being poor limits opportunities, the privilege of being white means that any disadvantages that come from being nonwhite will not also be a disadvantage.

Creating an open dialogue where the goal is not to defend but instead to understand is important when trying to have a conversation about privilege. Everyone has privilege to some degree, even though some may have more than others. By being aware of our privileges as individuals, we can recognize ways to use our privilege to help people more disadvantaged than us and collectively work for more social justice.

The Danger of A Single Story

The single story creates stereotypes…and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story. What 'single story' do you have of your upcoming study abroad host country? How do you plan to challenge your notion upon arrival in the host country?

As Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explains in her personal stories, a single story assigns an individual an entire personality that only revolves around a single trait. It leaves no room for viewing someone for their character, but instead generalizes groups and reduces their ability to a single, defined trait. It separates people and denies a connection, because how can you connect to someone you identify as only one thing?

Unfortunately, beliefs like these are often held unknowingly by people who have never experienced the people or places they hear of. It happens with people from other countries and even other walks of life. Single stories create space for ignorance and hate to grow. If you only know of a people in a negative light and have only heard stories that paint an unfavorable perspective, it becomes easier to generalize and succumb to ignorance. First impressions often go unchallenged, and it is harder to unlearn than it is to learn properly. A look through history will show that certain behaviors and opinions are taught young, and unless an active effort to change is made, people will remain ignorant and their beliefs unchallenged for most, if not all, of their lives. This is how systems of oppression remain in place, and unfavorable conditions for minority groups make little change. When those in positions of power hold a single story, it becomes a dangerous tool.

The danger of a single story is its ability to lie unnoticed by those who hold it. It is important to challenge things you are told, as stereotypes can not be applied as broadly as they seem to be.

With my upcoming trip to Japan, I believe it is important to keep my mind open and free of outside opinions. I have only heard positive things of Japan, such as the people are nice and the country is beautiful. I don’t have much to challenge. I don’t want to hold many opinions until I can go myself.