Let's talk about priviledge

[causticangel]

What is a priviledge? Well, in this context I mean "something you are fortunate enough to be blessed with by accident of birth, to the point where you probably don't realise it's not universal". Obviously, there are many sets of priviledges - for example, in comparison with people living in Sub-Saharan Africa I have a whole range of priviledges

Comments

[realrealgone]

well, you've already mentioned two of the most important: clean drinking water and access to medical care.

Further to that - access to shelter and at least minimum nutritional requirements, freedom from state violence (or the threat of state violence) - and freedom of movement. and possibly a little further down the list: access to a basic quality of education, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.

Once anyone does even the most basic bit of research into how most of the rest of the (non-Western) world lives, one starts to realise just how much of a priviledge all these are things really are in the West. (although actually there are still many parts of the 'West' in which they are still very much a priviledge - and not a right!).

/soapbox

[causticangel]

That's very true. I was hoping for more personal experiences, but it's hard to get away from the big ones, isn't it?

[realrealgone]

hmm, I realise what you were after - but I 'spose I find it difficult... because, relatively speaking, all of those are SO big. The rest seems (to me) like societies fine-tuning themselves once they've sorted the basics out.

And the buddhist side to me feels that whatever experience (overpriviledged or underpriviledged) we are given by the world we are born into is ours to overcome. There are many things in life which feel like priviledges which actually may not really be so - and of which we need to ask: do they really benefit our lives, promote our growth and awareness of who we are? Us humans actually need much less than we think. Beyond the basics above (and actually some of those are questionable in this framework), we may not actually need too much else.

Have you seen Koyanisqaatsi, Powasqaatsi or Naonisqaatsi ? (apologies if misspelt). They're pretty amazing pieces of work. Worth renting.

Gosh, I'm feeling philosophical: it must be Friday...!

[causticangel]

Ah, OK. I keep replying to you just as you reply back, don't I?!

The ones you listed are important. But what I was trying to emphasize - and perhaps someone else will comment and help me out here - is that the things I take for granted, "priviledges", are things other people here and now don't have. Big or small, fine tuning or major change of direction.

I haven't seen any of those films (?). I'll keep an eye out, if you tell me a bit more about them...?

[rachel2205]

Wealth! I am not rich, but hell, I have a lot more than a lot of people, and money, sadly, buys a way out of a lot of negative experiences. For instance, me being sent to private school - it knackered my parents' bank accounts, but the fact remains that they still managed to do it, and so I missed "enjoying" various dubious things that state educated friends of mine experienced (and that I experienced before going to an independent). Going there meant I got good grades, which meant I got into a top 10 university, which allowed me to mingle with privileged people, and so on.

[matttt]

Seeing bullets set off in class is very educational, I'll have you know! :-P

[rachel2205]

Yes, I'm sure! :P But what kind of lessons does one learn from that, exactly?

My mother, of course, grew up in Belfast, where people did get shot at through classroom windows, and so on. I can't bear to think of all the things she saw. I have been very lucky and very sheltered!

[matttt]

But what kind of lessons does one learn from that, exactly?

PSE, and very nearly in DT too.

[nice_guy_but]

What do you think are a few priviledges people other than you might have and that you would like to be universal?

I would like...

...to not have to worry that people judge me on sight without getting to know me;
...to be able to hear a conversation in a crowded pub/bar without stooping;
...that's all I can think of for now...