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...?

[realrealgone]

OK - you're dual nationality! (soon) that's a priviledge, I'd imagine. Well, it seems so to me...

And you have a functioning family - that's quite a big one. Having never really had one, I realise just how much people take that for granted. Although I gather it can be a hindrance as well as a support! So, it's all relative. I have lack of support (financial, emotional) - but more freedom possibly.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085809/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095895/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145937/

:o)

[realrealgone]

erm, my point being that - that's quite a long list of what should be universal human rights. and I'm sure there are others I've forgotten.

until those are universal, I find it hard to think about the appropriateness (or otherwise) of universalising other 'priviledges' that I - or others - may or may not have.

[causticangel]

Of course they are. But it doesn't just stop there, does it? I mean, the right to walk down the street unmolested applies in war-torn Africa as much as it does in the bad areas of the UK. Or the right not to be harrassed on account of your sexuality, or dress, etc.

In this context, any of those are a priviledge. For example, as a straight woman I'm not at risk of being attacked based on my choice of partner. That's a "priviledge" other people in this country don't have.