Over the past week we have been reading and discussing several ideas connected to privilege. Most notably we read Peggy McIntosh's "Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack," which described white privilege and gave a number of examples that we discussed in class last week. The concept of privilege clearly can be applied to many areas beyond race, including gender, geography, and class. Recently the topic of privilege has made the news based, in part, on the increasingly common use of the phrase: "Check your privilege." The use of this phrase and various reactions to it have spun into many different dialogues weaving their way through the blogosphere, social media, and cable television (including this recent argument rejecting the concept by Ben Shapiro).
For this week's blog I would like you to focus on the debate emanating from Princeton University a couple of years ago centered on this phrase. First read the post that started much of the recent uproar written by a Princeton freshman here. Next read the public response to the first argument written by another Princeton student and printed in TIME Magazine here (you may also want to check out the I Too Am Princeton Tumblr here).
Much of the debate centers on whether there is, in fact, privilege and whether this supports or disproves meritocracy. I would like to hear your thoughts now after reading these arguments.
- Does meritocracy exist in America?
- Is it affected by race or class or any other factors?
- What do you think about the use of the phrase "check your privilege," and other attempts by some to make privilege more visible?
ReplyDeleteI found Briana Payton’s response to the Princeton op-ed to sum up the debate extremely well, so I don’t feel the need to repeat her. I will just give my thoughts on the original op-ed. The student ends his op-ed saying he doesn’t apologize for his skin, but that’s not really what people are asking him to do. It’s not to say deny yourself and apologize constantly. Rather, I see the purpose of talking about privilege as a direct way to speak on society, culture, and public policy. In other words, one can and should use their privilege to encourage a more equitable society. You can measure racial disparities in a million ways, whether it be wealth, wages, housing, healthcare, policing, and more. I have no problem admitting privilege, and I’m more than happy to talk about policy changes with the aim of leveling the playing field for all.
Meritocracy exists with a certain extent. I feel that in America if you have the "proper resources" then most definitely you can reach success in this country. But the reason why I say to a certain extent is because not everyone in this country has the chance for equal opportunity. Equal opportunity can be halted by educational attainment, geographic status, class etc. So once you disenfranchise a group of people based these factors, the phrase meritocracy in America becomes invalid. I feel that the term "check your privilege" should be used for all people. No matter if you're black, white, man, or woman, we all have privilege to a certain extent. When it says "check your privilege, I feel it means that in certain situations we must see if we are thought of as "highly favored" then the next person based on unearned power. Once we have critical reflection on our privilege, we can finally come to solutions on how to make society a more level playing field for all people. - Egerton Abulu
ReplyDeleteTiana Petricevic
DeleteI agree with you. I don’t think meritocracy is fully a myth. I believe that people are able to pull themselves out of their current status and achieve their goals fully, but the system put in place and maintained by those who benefit from it makes it easier for whites, and specifically white males, to accomplish this “American Dream”. I really like the points that Payton made in her piece for TIME. I like when she points out that “checking privilege” isn’t meant as an attack or a way to demean the work that one has done, but as a way to recognize the systemic and institutional racism and sexism in our society. You always hear that the first step to solving a problem is by admitting there is a problem, and the same logic applies with white privilege. To fix the systemic and institutional racism and sexism in our society and government, we must first admit that certain groups have more advantage/opportunity/ privilege than others in the first place.
Alex Stamatis
DeleteI believe meritocracy exists in America, but like some of you have already said, only to a certain extent. I believe that if someone does work hard, some sort of opportunity will present itself, but I also believe that race, class, etc also play a role in the opportunities that become available for certain people. In the article by Briana Payton, she says that “white men are the only ones who have been afforded political and social rights… women and minorities, on the other hand, have had to fight for equal status.” This is something we still notice today when looking at the those in positions of power in the workplace, those in government positions, and in other scenarios. I completely agree with what you said- that in order to fix these systemic issues we first need to acknowledge that they do still exist and realize what needs to be done in order to make some progress on issues relating to privilege and opportunity. People should be presented with equal opportunities for success and should be able to attain them no matter their race, ethnicity, class, etc.
I agree with what you guys have said above. I do believe that meritocracy does exist, but there are some cases where some people work very hard and don't see much success while people who aren't very hard workers get all sorts of opportunities. This is in large part influenced by class, sex, and race, as most of us have already concluded. I think constantly checking someone's privilege makes life a zero-sum game instead of a positive-sum game. Yes we have to acknowledge that certain groups have faced tons of systemic oppression, but I still think we should strive to maintain a culture and society that incentives hard work. That starts with trying to level the playing field. I think it's important for everyone in society to recognize that certain groups are disadvantaged and don't get the same opportunities as other groups.
DeleteChecking one’s privilege is so important. Like the author of the TIME response to the Princeton article said, “the word privilege isn’t a negative judgment about Fortgang or his character, but simply a recognition that our society’s institutionalized racism and sexism isn’t aimed at white males.” Being privileged is something we all need to recognize in order to see how our own privilege impacts the privilege of others. If you’ve ever done a “privilege walk,” you know how it’s about more than just race, also class, religion, sexual orientation, sex or gender identity. Some questions from a privilege walk are: If there were more than 50 books in your house when you grew up, take one step forward, if you have health insurance take one step forward, if you saw members of your race, ethnic group, gender or sexual orientation portrayed on television in degrading roles, take one step back. White people, Christians in America, men, heterosexuals, and so many more groups are advantaged in ways that they don’t even notice everyday or choose to take for granted. The problem is that so many people are scared to recognize how they are advantaged in the world. Another important quote from the TIME article that sums up why checking privilege is so important: “No one is saying Fortgang did not sow seeds, but checking his privilege is just acknowledging that the ground he tilled was more fertile than the ground others tilled. They could have spent the same amount of time in the hot sun, watering these seeds, but Fortgang might still reap better results because of certain advantages.”
ReplyDeletethe last quote that you quoted I thought was also a very good line in the Payton article. It sums up "privilege" very well. Although I believe hard work should be given credit when it's due, people should also understand what about their physical characteristics gives them an advantage in society. Of course, it is not always obvious to some people and the only way to allow them to become educate on their privilege seems to be either to educate them or show them how differently other people are treated. People mostly only view the world in their own perspective so it is very difficult to understand other perspectives. Which is why "check your privilege" may sound offensive to some people but as long as you're open to learning your privilege it allows you to have an open mind and see new perspectives.
DeleteJade Huynh
I agree with your arguments wholeheartedly. I also like the quotes you incorporated, similarly to Jade. That said, I think that we live in a culture in which we recognize privilege and discrimination, but do not step back to take a hard look at ourselves and our privilege. Whether it's because it makes us uncomfortable, unsettled, etc., it does not matter. We need to put our own emotions and egos aside, and recognize how we've benefited from the systems and institutions at play, to begin stepping in the right direction.
Delete-Paulina Michael
I agree with everything that you said. Like the comment before me mentioned, I like how you backed up your points and what you were saying with quotes from very credible sources. I think that it is especially difficult for somebody who doesn't have to experience it and deal with it daily through lack of the same opportunity to recognize white privilege as an actual thing. However, to completely disbelieve that it exists at all is ignorant. I do agree that we rarely step back to think about it and assess it on a deeper level because we all try hard not to offend and exclude people unintentionally. Acknowledging white privilege means finally acknowledging that not everybody receives the same opportunities, benefits, and rewards, regardless of the work and effort that is put into something. As we've seen in many historical contexts in the past, a white male and a member of a racial or gender minority can put in the same effort and work into something, but the white male will still come out as a "chosen one" to receive those rewards and benefits.
DeleteI think that meritocracy exists to a degree in America because I do believe that anyone can reach success through hard work and dedication. However, resources do play a big role in the ability to achieve that success. Those resources largely come from the financial and social situation one is born into, which is something that is completely out of their control. While I can fully acknowledge that people who are born into wealthy families and are able to get a top-notch education may have an easier time getting high-paying jobs that bring them success, I do not think that there is any social or financial situation that someone can be born into from which they cannot achieve that same success. In terms of privilege, I think everyone has some to a certain extent because every group has certain qualities that benefit them. The phrase “check your privilege” should not be seen as a negative thing because it’s something we should all get in the habit of doing. In terms of the original post by Tal Fortgang, I see where he’s coming from but can attribute his sense of frustration to what I would classify as a misinterpretation of the phrase “check your privilege.” My parents and grandparents are also Jewish immigrants who worked very hard to achieve what they have. They had to deal with a lot of struggles and I massively respect them for that. However, I don’t think that acknowledging the fact that I have privilege in any way diminishes their success stories or the work they had to put in. Being white and from an upper-middle class neighborhood has definitely benefited me a lot in life but I also wouldn’t attribute all my achievements to those two qualities either. As long as we all acknowledge that privilege exists and try to address it productively, I don’t really see a huge issue at hand. -Anna Starobinets
ReplyDeleteMeritocracy does exist and it is built on disadvantages of minority groups. These minority groups consist of those that don’t fall under the category of white, cis-gender males. The article originating from Princeton and the TIME’s specifically discussed race as a factor but I also believe class plays into this as well. I think race plays a bigger role but we can’t deny that class is disproportionally affected by race. This is because of privilege. Privilege is what helps some people start off ahead. Blacks in this country have faced centuries of racism that have contributed to economic inequality which makes opportunities for success harder. This is true for other non-white groups as well. I think it is important to be aware of our privilege because I think it makes us more aware and understanding to others who have to work harder to achieve the same amount and hopefully use this knowledge to end systems of disadvantage.
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ReplyDeleteI don’t think that meritocracy exists in the US. I think that the ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps’ mentality has been so deeply rooted in the American psyche that it is difficult for us to overcome it. I also find that white people generally use meritocracy as a crutch to not address systemic issues. If we all believe that the fact people are poor or don’t succeed is a function of their individual merit, then there is no reason to change anything. I think one good example is money/social mobility. I don’t believe that people who are millionaires or billionaires necessarily earned their wealth. What does ‘working hard’ mean? Is a millionaire more deserving or do they work harder than someone doing minimum wage physical labor? I don’t think so. Race definitely plays a role in the discrepancy and access of opportunity. White privilege and inherited wealth should be considered/checked when interrogating meritocracy and the American dream.
ReplyDeleteI think that meritocracy exists in the U.S., but I believe that to a certain extent the degree to which one can succeed in this country can be advantaged or disadvantaged by their race, sex, income, and the timing that they start working. All are legitimate factors that can affect the success of individuals. In regards to race, the most relevant of all of those topics, I believe that race is perhaps the most important determinant of one's success. This country is built upon constructs of racial (and sexual) superiority that have led us to place our faith (so wrongfully so) in white men. It becomes so very easy for white men to claim that "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps" isn't a hard or out of this world thing to do because they did it, but the reality is that perhaps they were only able to do it because it was the easiest for them to have that sort of success because they were white and male! Regardless, meritocracy is a thing, but it's certainly influenced by other factors to an unfair extent that has advantaged and disadvantaged people for generations.
ReplyDeleteI think meritocracy does exist and it is very much motivated by race, class, and gender. If someone is considered to be in a marginalized group it's much harder to advance because of the system that has been built. It's been white men on top for the longest time and I think that checking privilege is important. It gives light to a lot of the misrepresentation and mistreatment of minorities. It should be made visible because it shows the disadvantages in society, and helps others get equitable treatment.
ReplyDeleteI find that meritocracy does not exist in the United States. The American Dream was the belief that one’s hard work could lead them to financial success within the country. In reality, hard work and talent still do influence an American’s ability to have success. But as Briana Payton discusses in her article, opportunity is a key factor in one’s ability to have social and economic success. Race and class are important factors when discussing meritocracy within the United States. Many Americans are stagnant in their social class, regardless of race. Social mobility is becoming just as big a myth as meritocracy. Race is still a key factor as well seeing as how minority groups are underrepresented within the country and people of color consistently deal with biases, whether it be conscious or unconscious. “Check your privilege” can come across as aggressive to some, but it is an important reminder to people who have benefited from historical constructions that give advantage to their race or class. -Hannah Rhodes
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah, I completely agree. I like that you mentioned opportunity. I think that is a key factor in this. I don't want to minimize the fact that white people do work hard for all that they achieve but in reality that is because they have the opportunity to. Either their parents or their grandparents had the opportunity to come here and then get an education and be successful. Meanwhile many minority groups have to jump through more hoops than the average white male for that equal opportunity. Due to their race, their social class and their cultural background they face many more challenges. For example, there is the language barrier, low income, lack of access and so much more.
DeleteI think meritocracy does exist but is severely affected by race, class, and gender. Like merit is taken into consideration when given an opportunity but it is not the only thing taken into consideration. In the podcast, we listened to a few weeks back we listened to Carlos story and the bottom line was if a rich white man had not granted this low-income boy the possibility of going to a notable prep school it would have never occurred for him. Yes, his motivation and merit did cause him to get ahead as well but the opportunity was granted by this white man. The Time Princeton article talks about how White men were the only population that had political and social rights since the founding of the United States. If white men have been ahead since the founding of the country then it is hard for all other groups to catch up and be on an even playing field. Even the cliché stereotypes that are perpetuated by the media result in very harmful depictions of minorities and to the privilege of white people. This isn’t saying that white men have been given everything and didn’t work hard to get to where they are but there has to be an acknowledgement that minorities aren’t always given the same opportunities as them. There is no “judgement” like the conservative Princeton journal was suggesting but there should be awareness that minorities do work harder to succeed in the United States.
ReplyDelete-Karen Marin
It is laughable to think that we live in a pure meritocracy. Lets take me for an example. I severely injured myself, and dropped out of college. And by sheer luck, I fixed one of my fathers friends’ computers and parlayed that into an internship. I then parlayed that internship into a full time job as a tech worker. Did I have a college degree in information technology or any relevant area? No. Was I technically qualified? No. Did I do anything special that set me apart from the competition? No. I Got the job I currently have by sheer force of luck. I was crippled, not doing anything, and fixed someone’s computer. He happened to own a successful business. It was privilege and happenstance. A vast majority of the people that I know who are around my age (27) have gotten their job through familial connections.
ReplyDeleteI believe that meritocracy does exist in the United States as it allows people to “do better that their parents” but the system itself is designed to support and suppress different groups. I think the article from Princeton and the rebuttal from Times demonstrates exactly how the system is set up in favor of white men and the concept that white people miss when talking about this idea. The student thinks that his entire life is simply created based on what his ancestors had to endure and were able to provide for him. He is unable to see the bigger picture that yes, his life is was hard, there is a system in place that he and all white men benefit from. When someone attempts to tell him this it becomes an attack on him and his family, rather than an attempt to understand what is actually taking place. He is also unable to take a moment and realize that his life is a lot better than other people who were not afford the same chances as he/his family were.
ReplyDeleteJohn Milas
I do think meritocracy exists in America, but the qualities of having merit can only take you so far, because I do think that white privilege is enough that white people will always have an inequality higher income, or more promising and prevalent opportunities. However, like Brianna Payton and the Tumblr post suggested, it is something that should not be looked down upon, it should something that should be made aware of and there should be an active attempt to reverse it, and its effects. I think the phrase "check your privilege" does seem condescending but that could be my personal bias, because I am in fact the white male who needs to check his privilege. If that is the case, then I am okay with having to adapt to the phrase, and what it entails if it means my fellow Americans of a different skin color receive equal treatment and equal opportunity. ~Derek van Thullenar
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, meritocracy does exist in this country to a certain extent, I feel that every individual should make the best of the opportunities granted to them with the little they are presented with. But as the famous quote says, “don’t judge a book by its cover”. We all come from different types of backgrounds and the shade of the color of our skin does not tell our entire story or as Tal Fortgang states “Behind every success, large or small, there is a story, and it isn’t always told by sex or skin color”.
ReplyDeleteAlong with meritocracy, privilege comes down to a money and proper resources. I am firm believer in the American dream and believe that success comes to those that work hard for it at some point in their life or another. Race plays a minor role in meritocracy and the government has taken steps to wanting to correct this issue by "affirmative action for universities" etc. However, I believe that everything comes down to the individual and is up to he or she to set high standards for themselves.
I would argue that meritocracy isn’t a myth because of the limited opportunities that exist in America within certain groups. It is evident that we live in a society with structural inequalities as well as systems of oppression. In America, we have adopted this meritocratic ideal, that those who work hard in their life should be rewarded and praised. However, the reality is that not everyone is given the same opportunities or resources. Someone who is born into a lower socioeconomic family may not receive the same education, resources or opportunities as someone who grew up in a wealthy family. The access to education and resources can have a significant impact on a child’s upbringing and development. That’s why I think it is so important that we all acknowledge and shine light on these inequalities that exist.
ReplyDeleteI believe that meritocracy does exist, to a certain extent, in America. I believe that hard work and dedication can help anyone achieve their goals, however, individuals who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, or do not have the same resources as those who did, have to work much harder. In regard to race, class, and gender I absolutely believe that these affect an individual's ability to succeed. I noticed another classmates post that discussed the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality and absolutely agree that this is simply a means for people to disregard the true inequality that exists. In regard to the phrase “check your privilege” being utilized, I am definitely here for it. I personally say and think about this statement all the time. Most of the time it is when I hear discussions while walking down the sidewalk or sitting on the El where people are complaining about very trivial “issues”
ReplyDeleteMeritocracy exists in America for those who are privileged. However, I believe that within various minority cultures meritocracy exists to a certain extent. For example, things that are race-specific like the NAACP Image Awards uses merit (specifically) within the black community. To answer the second question, yes, meritocracy is race based -- however, white meritocracy is at the top and minority meritocracy is at the bottom. White meritocracy shapes the socio-economic hierarchy in our society. The phrase "Check your privilege" is a nice reminder for white people to remember that they have advantages and resources that no one else has -- and THAT plays a role in their merit.
ReplyDeleteAvarie Evans-Allen
I do believe that meritocracy exists in America but only to a certain degree. Hard work and dedication will help you get far in life but not nearly to the extent that privilege can. I also believe that an individuals chance to succeed is certainty affected by factors such as race,gender, and socioeconomic status. The hard work of a poc will not get them as far as the same exact amount of work but done by an upper class white person. Bringing this privilege to light can be beneficial. Acknowledging ones privilege can serve as a reminder that they access to resources that others may not have.
ReplyDeleteEmmanuel Valtierrez
Meritocracy exist solely within the bubble of those afforded privileges that grant them the ability to surpass oppression. It is a joke for all other groups that do not benefit under the dynamics of classism, white supremacy, and the patriarchy, and is a relatively laughable concept outside of very few outliers blown up in the media.
ReplyDelete“I do not accuse those who “check” me and my perspective of overt racism, although the phrase, which assumes that simply because I belong to a certain ethnic group I should be judged collectively with it, toes that line”
This quote was alarming. I would encourage the original author to vest his energy into exploring and understanding these dynamics rather than framing a very real concern as a personal attack.
Payton makes a very relevant analogy regarding the fertility of the ground we toil so hard on, which I would like to highlight. The same “hard work” these so-called prodigies exert would mostly likely reap nothing had they been a part of another low-income, minority group. The narrative of the white man crying reverse racism is a tiring one; there are countless suffering minority groups that, despite their cries, are habitually ignored. Despite increased efforts by the federal government to grant less-privileged groups more opportunity, there is undoubtedly still a long way to go.
I do think that meritocracy exists in America but I think that it depends on more than of factor. I believe it is a combination of multiple factors. Some of the factors are, race, wealth,gender, and status. There may be more or I may be wrong but these are the factors that play into meritocracy.
ReplyDeleteI think the backlash against the phrase “check your privilege” as shown by Ben Shapiro and the author of the Princeton student shown an utter lack of understanding of what the term actually means. As stated in the response to the Princeton student, “While Fortgang is not responsible for white male dominance in society, he should at least recognize that this social hierarchy is not a mere coincidence, nor is it a testament to the power of hard work.” The phrase “check your privilege” is often interpreted as a personal attack, even though it is meant more as a critique on society as a whole. If you are told to check your privilege, it is not saying that you or your family has not worked hard, which also seems to be a common response.
ReplyDeleteNo individual’s success is the product of their hard work alone, but this statement provokes many negative reactions due to the numerous misconceptions surrounding meritocracy. It is true that many people work very hard to achieve success, but what is often forgotten is the endless list of contributions of those that have come before that make that success possible in the first place. For example, no one considered “conventionally successful” today - even those that are part of highly privileged groups - could have done so without the collective knowledge and infrastructure established by those that came before them. As a side note, this is one of the many arguments against those who believe taxation is inherently theft or that they owe nothing to the rest of society for the wealth they have accumulated.
ReplyDeleteWhile everyone stands on the shoulders of those that have come before us, not everyone benefits equally from it. Members of oppressed groups (ethnic and racial minorities, women, LGBTQ+, etc) face far more obstacles on the road to success, meaning that to achieve it they needed far more luck, perseverance, or a combination of both than those facing fewer of these baked-in challenges. This extends to those from less financially secure backgrounds as well, particularly when paired with the disadvantages of the aforementioned groups as well.
“Check your privilege” is a term that has become contentious to some, and like meritocracy, this is primarily due to the misconceptions that also surround privilege itself. “Privilege” does not mean that, for example, every single white person will have an easier time living or becoming successful than every single nonwhite person. It instead means that being white will never systematically be treated as a serious threat to that potential success. In a typical situation, a white person will never have to worry that they were passed up for a job because they were white; however, the factor of race will always be important to those who are nonwhite.
- Nora
Yes meritocracy exists, to an extent. My parents stressed the value of hard work and I feel that I seized the opportunities presented to me. However, I acknowledge the fact that my opportunities are unique to my class, gender and race. So leading into the next question, I do believe it is effected by class. I do not think marginalized groups have the same opportunities. Regardless of their hard work, it will be much harder to progress to the same degree as white, men of a wealthy class. Therefore, yes it is important to check you privilege.
ReplyDeleteAngelo D'Agostini
The idea of meritocracy exists in America, but in reality it is not there. Meritocracy never existed for everyone because of privilege. One can not say we live in a fair society when part of our society is living in poverty and do not have the same means to climb out as others. Discrimination and poverty are interconnected and play a major role in peoples' lives. Wealth and being white can are a stepping stone that many do not have. I grew up in a middle class neighborhood, my parents are both college educated, I was able to worry only about school and sports. I never had to worry about where my next meal will come from, and I was never worried about my safety. My high school was well funded, and we had teachers that cared, and guidance counselors that wanted the best for us. From the beginning I was privileged, I was able to succeed in school and received scholarships to go to DePaul. Many kids in the South Side of Chicago, for example did not have the same stepping stones as I did. To compare us would be unfair. To compare us based on merit is completely unfair.
ReplyDelete-Jeff Rios
I think meritocracy does exist in America but only a little amount. I think factors that can affect meritocracy in our society are gender, race, age, and class. However, those factors need to be wiped away because anyone can dedicate themselves to hard work and commitment to be successful. Throughout history, white men and the wealthy have always been at the top of the ladder compared to other groups because of resources and economic status. Therefore, race and class can determine “privilege” that one has because people in this group will hardly worry about not having opportunities to success.
ReplyDeleteIt would be ignorant of me to not acknowledge that meritocracy exists in the United States. I think many people choose to focus on the areas where it isn't present rather than where it is. I will say that things such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and age can play a roll in regards to this. For the most part though, I think it discredits those who work so hard for their achievements to act like they only got there due to identities within certain groups. I don't think I have ever seen so much right off of successful people being in the position they are until I got to Depaul. Growing up and at my old school (The University of Iowa), meritocracy was something that was instilled and something people put a large emphasis on. Coming to Depaul however, I feel the only thing I hear discussed is that identities or groups people belong to are the reason people are or aren't successful. I don't agree.
ReplyDelete