Privilege

Privilege is a special right, advantage, or immunity available to a specific person or group. Seen in many aspects of life, privilege is an unearned advantage or opportunity viewed as a result of physical appearances, the legal system, media, workplace, and in places such as housing and real estate. The term privilege can be traced back in literature for over a century and was observed in the works of writers such as W. E. B. DuBois. In one of his many works, he wrote about the psychological wage, which is a concept he introduced about white workers and their feelings of superiority to Black workers. When considering what DuBois wrote about the psychological wage and the dictionary definition of privilege, both refer to an advantage over others. Further, privilege allows those in power the freedom to ignore the plight of people in unprivileged positions. Privilege provides a step up, and many do not realize the advantage they hold. Unfortunately, there are many who realize the privilege they have and use it to their advantage, and many view privilege as a right. While all people and groups struggle in life at some point, privilege affords certain people or groups experience and opportunities not afforded to others. Whites—more specifically, straight, white, Christian males—sit in the highest of all privileged positions. Holding the second position are straight, [Page 1218]white, Christian females. Privilege often goes unseen, and the lack of struggle by privileged individuals is not viewed as anything related to privilege. Understanding privilege for the mental health community and other professionals is important to promote awareness and increase advocacy. Developing self-awareness around privilege and other issues surrounding race and inequity is imperative to change the culture of privilege. This entry discusses privilege from its earliest forms to the present day, and how privilege presents in gender, race, sex and sexuality, economics, and education.