Acknowledging privilege from "summary" of How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
To be antiracist is also to understand and acknowledge privilege on a personal level. Privilege is not just about being wealthy or having opportunities handed to you. It is about the societal advantages that come with being a certain race, gender, or class. Privilege is about feeling safe and comfortable in spaces that others may not feel welcome in. It is about having doors opened for you that are closed to others. Acknowledging privilege is not about feeling guilty or ashamed of who you are. It is about recognizing the ways in which society has given you advantages over others. It is about being aware of the ways in which you may have benefitted from systems of oppression, even if you did not ask for or intend to benefit from them. When we acknowledge privilege, we are not saying that our lives have been easy or that we have not faced struggles. We are simply recognizing that certain aspects of our identity may have made those struggles a little bit easier to bear. It is important to understand that acknowledging privilege does not diminish the struggles that we have faced, but rather helps us to see the ways in which our experiences are shaped by systems of power and privilege. By acknowledging privilege, we can begin to dismantle the systems of oppression that have benefitted us at the expense of others. We can work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all people, regardless of their race, gender, or class. It is only through acknowledging privilege that we can truly strive towards becoming antiracist and creating a world where everyone has the same opportunities and advantages.
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