I hate the word “privilege” used in this context. Words have connotations, and “privilege” conjures up images of playing polo at the country club with the upper crust of one’s community, then going back to the office to work as executive vice president of the company your father founded. Yet, the people concerned about social justice seem unreasonably attached to their particular jargon, even if it gets in the way of communication. Over the past 15 years or so, I’ve seen a handful of people get it when it’s explained to them as, “imagine you grew up hardscrabble dirt poor, but also had to deal with racism.” But mostly, the online discussions devolve into a fight over the definition of the word privilege. C’mon, let’s just ditch the word, ferchrissakes! Keep the concept, call it something more relatable!

Same with “toxic masculinity.” Yes, I get it, the “toxic” adjective is a modifier to talk about a particular type of masculinity, but the people who hear it as “masculinity is toxic” have a point, too. People use adjectives as intensifiers. I guarantee that the people talking about “evil homosexuals” aren’t adding “evil” to distinguish from the good ones.

I also hate the term privilege because it implies those people have something they shouldn’t have, i.e. they need to be brought down, when really it’s that other people have a disadvantage. This makes the ones labeled privileged defensive because it seems like an attack instead of a call for help.

Everyone should be at least at the same level as the “privileged” ones.

Yes, and that’s the point with male privilege? It’s an advantage without any other reason than the holder being male.

Raising women to hold the same privilege is the same as removing it for men, if everyone has it it’s not a privilege.

I think this is why the equality in society moves forward too slowly, not necessarily because men don’t want women to have equal rights and opportunities, but as you said the privileged are defensive because they don’t want to lose their privileges.

Stop argum’ing semmantics and understand what they’re saying! This is about communication, not being technically correct.

FFS, your post is exactly portraying the problem.

You even use a much better word: equality. Yet argue in favor of using a less effective word… Truly sad.

Semantics are important and I do understand what they are saying. Did you read my comment?

it implies those people have something they shouldn’t have

This for example. Male privilege is something men shouldn’t have since it’s based entirely on gender. So the privilege teeds to be abolished for equality to happen.

And as I said, of course men gets defensive when its problematized and put in the spotlight, you may support equality but who wants to lose their advantages? 🤷

Ironically enough your comment also focused on the semantics instead of the issue at hand.. :)

I’m not sure what you’re talking about?

What is not a privilege and how does it relate to a minimum level of respect?

Basic respect and zero assumptions about intent are a solid start. Those ARE NOT privileges, but what any honest person engaging with someone or something should expect… Someone should be able to ask a basic question about a service you are providing with zero assumptions made as to what you expect as a result or a cost, as a basic example.

Seriously, how is this confusing??