Understanding Systems of Privilege

How Systems of Privilege Work

• Social systems create paths of least resistance resulting in patterns of privilege and oppression
• These systems can be compared to games like Monopoly, existing independently of individual players' characteristics.
• Systems of privilege are dominated by, identified with, and centered on privileged groups
• These characteristics reinforce the superiority of privileged groups and their entitlement to advantages.
• Patriarchy serves as an example, being male-dominated, male-identified, and male-centered.

Dominance and Control

• Power defaults to members of dominant groups, appearing natural for them to possess
• Power is gendered in patriarchy through cultural associations, and power seems natural for men, unusual for women.
• Women in power become the object of scrutiny, facing expectations to prove their ability to meet male standards
• Hierarchies concentrate women in lower power positions, while men occupy higher positions

The Nuances of Male Dominance

• Male dominance does not equate to all men being powerful
• All men benefit from cultural associations of manhood with power
• Men are more easily able to assume power, with a sense of entitlement in interactions
• Women face challenges to their authority due to cultural disidentification with power
• Men seek to control themselves/others to match control-seeking images pervasive in media
• Example: Man responds to a question without knowing the answer
• Gender dynamics involve men controlling conversations while women provide silent support
• Culture reinforces male control and female deference through media
• Value is placed on male power, adherence to those expected standards results in rewards/approval
• Deborah Tannen misses male privilege in her books describing gender differences in talking styles
• She argues that men and women talk differently, differences that promote male privilege at the expense of women

Manifestations of Dominance

• Dominance and control patterns permeate into every system of privilege and are structural
• White dominance has an unequal racial balance of power in society and its organizations and institutions
• Power structures lack representation for marginalized groups
• Marginalized groups often feel invisible and are routinely overlooked
• Barack Obama's election did not eliminate negative perceptions or solve imbalance

Identified With Privilege

• "It's a man's world" shows how society puts power in the hands of men
• Privileged groups are considered the standard of what is normal and socially valued, meaning it is male- or white-identified
• People of color are pressured to assimilate to white norms, known as code switching
• Privileged groups represent humanity, perpetuating 'otherness'
• White is the assumed race, hence use of "nonwhite" to lump color

Gender and Identification

• Masculine pronouns/terms often represent general population, reinforcing men/manhood as standards for humanity
• Brotherhood embodies warmth and good feeling, but also reinforces male relationships and male traits
• High-status occupations are organized around male qualities like aggression and control
• Male identification permeates all aspects of social life.

Consequences for Women

• Women face a double bind
• They are seen as lacking if they are feminine, uncaring/cold if masculine
• Double binds manifest from holding women to higher emotional labor standards
• Workplace career models are based on male experiences and male lives

Center of Attention

• Least resistance directs attention to privileged groups in news/media
• People of color appear when murdered or accused
• Exceptions exist, like Obama as president or Sonia Sotomayor
• Films/TV are overwhelmingly about heterosexual, white, nondisabled men
• Focus on subordinate groups is unusual and are routinely dismissed

Reflections in Cinema

• Subordinate groups have films tagged along with the respective group (i.e. women's films)
• Disability films focus on disability more than humanity
• Films with dominant characters are mainstream, while subordinate ones are niche.
• Systems of privilege make excluded groups feel invisible compared to mainstream culture
• Instructors pay less attention to marginalized students
• Men receive the majority of classroom attention and are actively sought

Resistance and Repercussions

• Marginalized groups call attention to these disparities and offer outlets
• Marginalized groups risk backlash for drawing attention away from dominant groups
• Examples: "Take Our Sons to Work Day" and "White History Month?" used to minimize other's issues
• Those daring to challenge system risk labels like "special-interest groups."

The Isms

• Terms like racism and sexism often describe individual feelings
• Sociologist David Wellman broadens focus of "isms" to include privilege patterns themselves and its effects
• Privilege is supported by what people do and DO NOT do
• Silence supports privilege and defines acceptable/unacceptable
• Example: Lynchers had assumed community approved of torturing Africans due to the structural silence

The Burden of Silence

• Silence toward sexual harassment and a lack of promotion of race consciousness are just as bad as overt behaviors
• Silence means people acquiesce to racist cultural order
• Being silent and not helping is as bad as contributing to the act
• It is impossible to be raised in a privileged community without it affecting you
• Everyone internalizes aspects of "isms" like language/food
• Racism and prejudice resides in everyone in society to some extent