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On being born with privilege

Posted by davidmcnab 8 years, 3 months ago to Philosophy
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Earlier today, I saw a feminist posting on social media about the "privilege inherent in being white, straight and male". It had an undertone of expectation that anyone in that position should feel guilty and hold themselves back in favour of those denied that privilege.

Anyway, this was my reply:

To anyone with privilege of any kind be it artistic genius, or wealthy birth, or athletic capability, or political connections, or dominant gender/sexuality/ethnicity, I say this:

Do not under any circumstances allow yourself to indulge (or others to manipulating you into indulging) in that toxic infectious emotion called 'guilt', or feel you have to hold yourself back in any way, or for anybody.

Take everything great you have been given, and use it to its utmost to be all you can be. Through your productive accomplishment, you inspire others, and even lighten their load.

Audit all the helpful and unhelpful cards you have been dealt. Strategise your life to maximise the benefit of your helpful cards, and minimise the adverse impact of your unhelpful ones, and where possible, even convert the unhelpful ones into helpful ones.

And be mindful that the true measure of a person is not what cards they have been dealt, but how they play them.

I don't identify as Christian, but that passage on 'charity' in Corinthians offers much guidance, especially if you substitute the words 'open heart' and/or 'empathy' for the word 'charity' (which today has taken on a connotation of moral obligation to give to those less fortunate).


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