It’s hard to be white, straight, male, rich [insert privilege] right now. I’m worried I’ll say the wrong thing, I can’t speak up anymore and I’m getting overlooked for opportunities I used to be given without trying. I’m being made to feel guilty for having privilege.
We’re hearing quite a bit about this and I’ve been reflecting on what it means. I get it and yes it is hard. You know why? It’s hard now because it’s always been easy…. for you.
It’s like playing soccer or rugby with an extra player for a season and then the playing fields level the following season. All of a sudden you feel like you’re a man down [pun intended], you are but the teams are now equal, you’ll still find it harder than it has been.
The advantage of this is that for those who’ve had it hard for the whole time you had it easy now get the same chance as you, they get an even playing field, a shot, an opportunity.
If you’re a white cis gendered male who’s not getting the same opportunities they used it may be because organisations have made a shift in this space. For example in my industry, public speaking, it’s no longer acceptable to have a speaker line up made up solely of white men. This is a good thing I think, we get more diversity in our speakers, the clients get a better experience and the top 10% (it’s still something like 50% in reality) of white cis gendered males now have to try even harder and be even better to secure a spot – that must be a good thing for everyone concerned right? An equal playing field, diversity of voice and the fact that we must continuously improve now not to get overlooked, mediocre is no longer the marker for success.
Despite being white and privileged I now enjoy being able to play the gender or sexual orientation card in a way that’ll get me on the agenda rather than get me beaten up or overlooked.
If you have privilege use it and if it feels hard right now know that that’s because it’s been easy for so long. Do your homework, make an effort and stay open and curious not closed and fearful.
Celebrate in the playing fields being even, everyone having an equal opportunity and that you’ve had it good for so long. Also bear in mind that your privilege means you get to help further this agenda and play your part rather than being fearful of the change it brings about.