But it’s misuse shouldn’t change the meaning of its intent. At least I hope it doesn’t, because I believe there is still value in empathy.
The use is the intent. And it's used as a weapon.
Notice when it's used, and when it isn't. (You'd never say it to a black or brown person. Did I have "privilege" when I lived in a labor camp?)
> At least I hope it doesn’t, because I believe there is still value in empathy.
There is value in empathy, but "check your privilege" isn't empathy.
You know nothing about my "privilege". You have no basis for telling me to "check my privilege" and saying that only proves that you not only have no empathy for me, you have no interest in me except to accomplish your political goals.
I didn’t say anything about your privilege. Were I to, I would be asking. There is nothing here to be defensive about.
I have no political goals here. We’re having a non-political discussion.
"This is not a political discussion" when in fact it's about one of the most hot-button political topics ever devised?
I'm lost.
Use whatever phrasing you want, and it doesn’t have to be politicized. But when describing an experience, and particularly when trying to provide advice to others to do similarly, or when trying to glean information from your experiences that might be applicable to others… yes, check your privilege to see how said privilege may not apply to others’ lives.
That is all. What we’re discussing isn’t, at its core, a “hot-button political topic.” You are making it that.
The phrase was invented as a political tool. Disagree? Provide cites.
I'll start - https://checkyourprivilege.co/ , https://www.amazon.com/Check-Your-Privilege-Live-into/dp/099... , and https://www.amazon.com/Check-Your-Privilege-Lean-discomfort/... .
Actually we were specifically discussing the "check your ..." phrase in current usage, expressed as an imperative. Not privilege as a general concept.
And yes, the "phrasing of phrase" is the whole point of the phrase. Along with of course, who is saying it and to whom. Especially when the recipient most likely wasn't asking you to "provide advice" to them in the first place, now were they.
BTW here's what seems to be the definitive article on its origin:
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/05/what-th...
You are making it that.
It wouldn't hurt you to check the button-pushy, "you're the problem" vibe on that statement. If you don't mind a bit of advice.
I teach people how to do things and "privilege" doesn't come into it. It is neither necessary nor sufficient.
There are always lots of folks with "privilege" yet the only thing that actually matters is whether you can do the work and actually do.
Guilt is too strong of term. But it is very much used as a kind of penalty box, or way of distancing the receiver from the speaker. And as far as enlightening those who supposedly need uplifting to the higher, more evolved plane that the speaker inhabits -- it just doesn't do much.