How many types of "privilege" are there?

How many types of "privilege" are there? (Question applies to United States only)

We all have heard about "white privilege" and "male privilege". Is that it, or is there more?

Can a black man have "American privilege" over a black man born and living in Africa? Can a black man have "male privilege" in the same manner, albeit maybe not the same degree, as a white man as suggested above?

If a white man has "male privilege", can a white woman have "female privilege", or can they not coexist?

Do adults have "adult privilege" over kids? Do smart people have "intelligence privilege" over dumb people? Do healthy people have "health privilege" over people with chronic illnesses?

What's the hierarchy of "privilege"? If you have an Asian, a black, a Hispanic, and a white (listed alphabetically), how would you rank their "privilege", most to least?

How would an Asian woman and a Hispanic man compare in relative "privilege?

Confusing, isn't it?

radcen said:

How many types of "privilege" are there? (Question applies to United States only)

We all have heard about "white privilege" and "male privilege". Is that it, or is there more?

Click to expand...

I'd say:

White
Male
Rich
Mainline Protestant

That's pretty much it.

Can a black man have "American privilege" over a black man born and living in Africa?

Click to expand...

Not really. It is possible there are some conflicts between native-born black Americans and recent immigrants of African or Caribbean origin, but both will be subjected to various types of discrimination.

Can a black man have "male privilege" in the same manner, albeit maybe not the same degree, as a white man as suggested above?

Click to expand...

To a degree, yes. A black man will be subjected to discrimination; most black women get the double whammy (black and female) or triple whammy (black, female, poor).

If a white man has "male privilege", can a white woman have "female privilege", or can they not coexist?

Click to expand...

A white man will not face much discrimination (though some, if he is poor). A white woman will face discrimination that a white man will not.

Do adults have "adult privilege" over kids?

Click to expand...

No

Do smart people have "intelligence privilege" over dumb people?

Click to expand...

No

Do healthy people have "health privilege" over people with chronic illnesses?

Click to expand...

No

What's the hierarchy of "privilege"? If you have an Asian, a black, a Hispanic, and a white (listed alphabetically), how would you rank their "privilege", most to least?

Click to expand...

I don't think there is a hard and fast answer, especially since this can vary from one part of the country to another, and can vary over time. But I'd guess:

1. male
2. female

1. wealthy
2. middle class
3. working class
4. poor
5. homeless

1. white
2. Asian
3. non-white, non-black Hispanic
4. Black
5. American Indian

1. WASP
2. Catholic
3. Jew, Hindu, Buddhist
4. Mormon
5. All other unnamed religions
6. Atheist
7. Muslim, Sikh, Satanists

Strictly speaking Americans dislike Atheists more than any other religion, but I don't see much indication they are nearly as discriminated against today as are Muslims, Satanists, or Sikhs. Note that Sikhs are not Muslims, but many Americans mistakenly assume they are Muslim, so they often get caught in that net.

Also, note that the realities are far more nuanced and fuzzy than such a list might indicate. E.g. Mormons won't face much (if any) discrimination in Utah; Catholics were far more discriminated against in the past than today (as most immigrants were Catholic).

Confusing, isn't it?

Click to expand...

It is, but that doesn't mean that status and privilege don't exist.

So the basic idea is that some people are more privileged than others, right? So if that is the case, who is the least privileged? It's pretty obvious that people think being male, white, straight, cisgender and rich makes you part of the most privileged group out there, but who is the least privileged?

Lots of types of privelige and it is often situation specific.

In the eyes of politics, everything that is someone but not someone else is a potential "privilege." All it takes is point of view and the assignment of value, in both cases usually misguided and definitely judgmental.

Why are men seen as privileged when women are treated better overall by society? What in the hell is that even about?

As many types as people who need excuses for their own failures need there to be.

This is what happens when you parse people based on identity. You end up descending into stupidity.