Perpetuating Privilege

Privileges are advantages, benefits, or special rights that individuals or groups possess in society due to certain aspects of their identity, background, and/or circumstances that provide benefit to them as they navigate the world. Privilege can be derived in a multitude of ways, and can be situational and contextual. A person may exercise privilege in one way based on where they are and who else is present with them. And privilege, though unearned, can be used to affect change in society or it can become a source of oppression.

Privilege is amplified by power, the ability to exercise control over others and deciding the outcomes of their lives. Privilege is unearned, and while groups and individuals are buoyed in their privilege by society, the weaponizing of privilege in the oppression of others contributes to experiences of discrimination and prejudice manifesting as “isms” – e.g. racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, etc.

The public discourse on systemic racism and discrimination found its way to naming white privilege as a problem in the experiences of people of color. Racism is not a problem created by people of color, or racialized minorities. Instead, a society in which the lives of some are deemed more valuable than others, where one group of people are advantaged over another because of race, or gender, or education, or class or religion will be one where attempts to dismantle privilege are met with denial and unwavering resistance. Privilege by itself is not the problem, instead, the problem is the use of privilege as a tool of oppression, as is the case with white privilege and Christian privilege in the United States.

White supremacy is undergirded by white privilege. White Christian nationalism begins with a set of assumptions that identify the United States as a country for white people living a white Christianity that lays blame at the feet of other racial/ethnic groups while pandering to fear of its extinction. Dismantling of programs and curriculum focused of diversity, equity and inclusion were a start, by the administration in targeting radicalized communities, with the presidential order identifying “illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI).”

Fascism is the order of the day in the United States with the actions of the president rooted in notions of privilege that continue to glorify racism, sexism, xenophobia, and homophobia. The militarization of cities, ICE raids, funding cuts and devaluing of people is seen in the creation of Executive Orders many dating back to January 20, 2025. The weaponization of white privilege is evident in the decision making and programmatic implementation of this administration. The office of the President of the United States is the highest elected office in the land, holding national and global power and prominence. These days, the office is being used for retaliation, alienation, and exclusion.

The perpetuation of privilege is evident in the unchecked powers being wielded by the 47th president backed by Congress and the Supreme Court that continues to support actions which are in some cases unconstitutional while attempting to silence critique and calls for justice and mercy.

Unchecked privilege results in impunity with the inherent lack of accountability leading to the harming of people, communities, and democracy. Communities of faith should demand accountabilities rather than perpetuate privilege and lack of accountability for caring for communities and people.