Thanks, Deri, for this very though-provoking piece. I agree with you wholeheartedly that there are many different ways in which one can be advantaged - and that parenting, in particular, is often overlooked.
I would look to tease apart the concept of "privilege" a little more though. Certainly, it is very important insofar as it contributes to us being happy, being at peace. But I think we need to go down the Maslow pyramid a bit more as well - to ideas of safety and basic physiological needs.
For many people, the experience of prejudice is horribly basic: the fear of physical or psychological harm from individuals or the establishment. I am lucky in that I have experienced little or none of this in my life (being white, male, middle class etc.) - but it does seem particularly pernicious that many people have a constant fear for their own safety as they go about their daily lives, based on their identity. Sexual assault, police bias, homophobic abuse etc. - notwithstanding the sensible caveats you make above - are real and present factors in many people's lives in ways that I will always find hard to understand.
Great point James. Definitely something I've overlooked in this piece - like you, not something I have much concern about personally. Thank you for adding it.
To add some nuance / challenge to that point, I'd make two observations:
1. I have observed some people slipping into fear of psychological damage from microaggressions based on certain protected characteristics they identify with. Often I judge that there is a lot of projection in those cases, and those people aren't well served by adopting the victim position (i.e., classic drama triangle is often playing out)
2. Lots of people don't take sufficient responsibility for their own physical safety, whether that is being physically capable or avoiding dangerous situations, adding to their fear
That said, there are still far too many occasions where people are on the receiving end of abuse that must be exhausting to live through.
Thanks, Deri, for this very though-provoking piece. I agree with you wholeheartedly that there are many different ways in which one can be advantaged - and that parenting, in particular, is often overlooked.
I would look to tease apart the concept of "privilege" a little more though. Certainly, it is very important insofar as it contributes to us being happy, being at peace. But I think we need to go down the Maslow pyramid a bit more as well - to ideas of safety and basic physiological needs.
For many people, the experience of prejudice is horribly basic: the fear of physical or psychological harm from individuals or the establishment. I am lucky in that I have experienced little or none of this in my life (being white, male, middle class etc.) - but it does seem particularly pernicious that many people have a constant fear for their own safety as they go about their daily lives, based on their identity. Sexual assault, police bias, homophobic abuse etc. - notwithstanding the sensible caveats you make above - are real and present factors in many people's lives in ways that I will always find hard to understand.
Great point James. Definitely something I've overlooked in this piece - like you, not something I have much concern about personally. Thank you for adding it.
To add some nuance / challenge to that point, I'd make two observations:
1. I have observed some people slipping into fear of psychological damage from microaggressions based on certain protected characteristics they identify with. Often I judge that there is a lot of projection in those cases, and those people aren't well served by adopting the victim position (i.e., classic drama triangle is often playing out)
2. Lots of people don't take sufficient responsibility for their own physical safety, whether that is being physically capable or avoiding dangerous situations, adding to their fear
That said, there are still far too many occasions where people are on the receiving end of abuse that must be exhausting to live through.