Privilege is hard to talk about, yet it’s as pervasive and important as oxygen. It’s like bias — everyone has some type of privilege, just as everyone carries some type of bias. 

So why is it so hard to talk about? Why do people (particularly white people) get defensive about privilege? And how can we use the privileges we have to advocate for people who don’t have the same access? 

In this episode of Inclusionomics®, we reveal the many types of privilege you may have (or not), why “unearned” privilege can make you feel defensive or guilty, and how you can use your privilege to advocate for others and make a powerful impact at work and in your community.

We explore why not all privileges are equal — the presence or absence of certain privileges has a greater impact on your life than others. Even when you’re in a position of power, the absence of certain privilege can hold you back. We share how this is made very clear in Apple TV’s The Morning Show through the Black character Daniel Henderson.

But this episode is not just a discussion: you’ll learn strategies you can bring to your work, family, and community to start conversations about privilege and help everyone understand their own. You’ll also discover how to wield your privilege to ensure that diverse voices are included in meetings, brainstorming opportunities, and very importantly, in decision-making.

In this candid episode, we also dive into:

• The problems with Hello Privilege. It’s Me, Chelsea, and why many people are unaware of their privilege (Stacey shares how, as a Black woman, it took some digging to identify her own privileges.)
• How to watch your language and where you might “think you know better” (Lisa tells a story about calling out her dad on something he said.) 
• Why university systems have such a tough time with the diversity and inclusion of their students and faculty (and Stacey shares a personal example of why it’s critical to have racial diversity in meetings.)

You can’t force anyone to be more conscious of their privilege. But if you want to increase people’s emotional intelligence about privilege, this episode gives you the resources and reassurance you need to do it. So click play above to listen now, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Have you led an exercise on privilege in your community or workplace? Have you been in a situation where “privilege obliviousness” made you cringe? We want to hear your stories! Reach out to connect with us on LinkedIn, and tell us your experience.

Show Notes:

• You Coulda Been Woke, the episode where we discuss privilege in the university system
• The renowned article on white privilege by Peggy McIntosh, White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
• Exercise: Move Into The Circle: Recognizing Power and Privilege 
• Paper exercise Peggy
• Hello Privilege. It’s Me, Chelsea on Netflix unpacks white privilege
• The Morning Show on Apple TV
• To learn more about Stacey, visit ReworkWork. Connect with Stacey on LinkedIn and Twitter
• To learn more about Lisa, visit Story Happens Here. Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn and Twitter