The definition of privilege is “A special advantage, immunity, permission, right, or benefit granted to or enjoyed by an individual, class, or caste.” Privilege comes in a variety of forms such as race, gender, wealth, sexual orientation, education, religion, etc. In our society people who are the most privileged are white, cisgender males. At all times, but especially now, when there is racial unrest and calls for justice, people with privilege can, and have the responsibility, to help those with less to ensure justice and equality. 

Step 1: Acknowledge your privilege

Reflect on your privilege, biases, and education from your past. Realize that you may have conscious or unconscious biases that feed into racial stereotypes and ask yourself why you have these. Reflect on your education and ask yourself if it has taught you a one-sided version of reality. For example, you may know of Thomas Edison but do you know of Lewis Latimer, the inventor of the improved lightbulb? Allyship and using your privilege for good means that you never stop educating yourself. No one asks for the privilege they are born with but it is important to recognize the certain advantages that are given based on social status.

Step 2: Recognize your privilege

In order to use your privilege you must understand it first. An example of white privilege is when a white person appropriates Black culture and wears cornrows and are praised and seen as trendy, but when Black people wear them they are seen as unprofessional and “ratchet”. Another form of white privilege is when white people face less consequence for more serious crimes than Black people who face dire consequences for petty crimes. A recent example of this is the case of Brock Turner, a white man who was charged with multiple counts of sexual felonies but was only sentenced to six months in jail. On the other hand, Black perpetrators would have received severe sentences for minor crimes or even crimes they didn’t commit. 

Step 3: Understand the problems around you

Have conversations with Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) around you and ask about their experiences and the role of racism in their lives. Your goal should be to hear their problems using empathetic listening instead of undermining their experiences. Listening to BIPOC, reading and educating yourself are essential to becoming a successful ally and promoting anti-racism. 

Here are some books and films to spend some time on to begin discussions and help minority communities:

Books: Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates; Say Her Name by Zetta Elliot; The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander; How To Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi; The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X, Slavery by Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon; White Rage by Carol Anderson; Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall; Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin King Luther, Jr.; Medical Apartheid by Harriet A. Washington

Films: The 13th; Get Out; Blindspotting; Do the right thing; 42; The Last Black Man in San Francisco; OJ: Made In America

Step 4: Use your privilege to combat racism and prejudice

Don’t take your privilege for granted and take the opportunities it gives you to fight for racial justice. With privilege comes respect, so when you talk, more people will listen and take you seriously. This is why you should use your privilege for fighting for marginalized and less privileged people. Talk to others in your community and don’t be afraid to have deeper discussions. Hold others accountable for their actions. Encourage the Black community not by charity but by engaging them in the economy. This can be done by purchasing from Black businesses and promoting Black creators. Signing and sharing meaningful petitions is a very easy way to take action and demand justice. Donating to protest bail funds and different organizations for racial justice is a way you can use your money for good. 

If everyone can recognize and use their privilege for good, the fight for racial justice and equality will become much easier. 

by Inara Jain