Let's Talk Privilege
working to BRIDGE
THE GAP OF UNDERSTANDING
WHO ARE YOU IN CONVERSATION WITH?
FAMILY OR
FRIENDS
Think About Your
Audience!
Use your knowledge about the person you're talking with to tailor the conversation in a way they would best accept and understand. Try to relate your conversation to things they enjoy/know about.
Avoid making them become defensive by being vulnerable yourself and speaking in more general terms. Try giving examples of things you've experienced that made you rethink your position and how you are working to change. Also think about the space you are having this conversation in- are there a lot of other people? How much time do you have in that space? Does that person feel comfortable here?
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THESE TIPS ARE FROM:
Check out these articles for more tips and more in-depth explanations!
Be Vulnerable!
Emphasize
Emotion.
Interview with: Jenna Arnold, Dr. Lorenzo Boyd, Dr. Amanda Taylor
Article by Gina Crosley-Corcoran, about understanding intersectionality of privilege.
Ground your discussion in empathy and use narrative experiences. Look to podcasts, movies, and other media that explains racism's impact on real people. Call back to these in your conversation and give out those resources as well (look to the pages on specific pillars to get some good podcast and media recommendations from this site).
Article by: Jamie Utt, describing identity privilege
Start With
Yourself.
Research the topics you want to have conversations about and do your best to understand your own privilege. Actively learn through social media, books, podcasts, documentaries, articles, and more.
Start With
Identity Privilege.
Begin by explaining identity privilege instead of white privilege:
'Any unearned benefit or advantage one receives in society by nature of their identity. Examples of aspects of identity that can afford privilege: Race, Religion, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, Class/Wealth, Ability, or Citizenship Status' (HuffPost link above!)
Understanding that privilege is relative might open up a new path to understanding.
Read Peggy McIntosh's 1988 essay about understanding different privileges. It has a very interesting list of daily conditions that display her white privilege. They could be a way to bring a new understanding to how privilege shows its self.