What is the ethical response to the reality of social privilege?

Question

Privilege is defined as the inherrent quality of dwelling at the top of the social ladder. In general, one is born into one's privileged group. While often undetectable by those who possess its benefits, privilege reduces the roadblocks that impede achievement and access to resources. Those who do not have the privileged characteristics must work harder just to stay on an even plain.

In the US there is White Privilege, Wealth Privilege, Male Privilege, and (I would suggest) Religious Privilege. What is the ethical responsibility of those who possess such privileges to those who are not born into the privileged class? What ethical response should the un-privileged make to being shut out of jobs and neighborhoods or forced to work unequally hard to gain achievements?

Answer 1

Good question. I think to start the privileged group (any of the ones you have mentioned) need to take responsiblity to understand how they are priviliged. Very few of any of the dominant groups you have provided know much about their privilige or would necesairly believe it right away. People tend to lean toward ignorance whenever possible in terms of understanding social stratification. Therefore the first responsiblity of the privileged is to understand the nature of their privilige, especially with some understanding of the minority perspectives. Out of the understanding of the minority priviliege (i use minority in a non numerical understanding in case that needs to be clairified non-dominant) answers to the problems facing society should be framed. The answers that the priviliged group provide often are tailored to that privilige and have little value for the minority groups.

On the flip side of the coin, the minority groups need to constantly remain vocal and mobilize their efforts to promote understanding. Most people (we hope) truly do want change and maybe would take more action if they were better informed. Yet its unlike WASP's are going to be able to properly educate one another on issues of priviliege as our biases will inevitably get in the way. Therefore the minority response must be to help paint the framework for the world that they understand and help the dominant group find solutions that work under their framework, not the dominant group.

Answer 2

I would say the responsibly of privilege is to use that privilege well.
We talk of a fair society, but it isn't a level playing field, there will always be the people who know how to tap into the higher echelons of society and use it to their advantage.
The natural response of the un-privileged masses I would guess is unrest, agitation of their peers at the "unfairness" perceived, and ultimately wide spread civil unrest and revolt.
Some people of course thrive on this sort of privilege challenge, to break through despite their initial disadvantage, and hopefully when they succeed they will help others along the way!

Answer 3

What is the ethical responsibility of those who possess such privileges to those who are not born into the privileged class?

Their responsibility to the underprivileged is to not cast them out just because of their class, let them prove themselves. And then they should say to them"Life isn't fair, but if nobody can stop you from your own ability to create your own destiny. It is nobody else's responsibility to give you what you want, you must work for it. But working for it, and achieving your goal, is the most rewarding experience. Nobody is holding you back except your self. Yea there will be obstacles, but that's life. There are many "privileged people" who have lost all of it because of incompetence, and lack of intellect. So stop complaining, and go after what you want! Stop dreaming of someone else doing it for you!". And that's all, nobody owes anyone anything but a chance to prove they are equal, and to not ostracize them for their sex, religion, color, financial status, or beliefs. Judge them by their intellect, character, and worth as a human being.

What ethical response should the unprivileged make to being shut out of jobs and neighborhoods or forced to work unequally hard to gain achievements?

You may think you can stop me from getting where I want in life, but nobody can do that but myself. The US was founded by people that were the cast-outs of society. And we were the ones that went out, through all hardships, to make our own life, and succeed to make America what it is today. No obstacles can stop the determined person from getting what they strive to achieve, and that's what I will do.



well that's what I would say as my responce to each question.