‘When You’re Accustomed to Privilege, Equality Feels Like Oppression’

[MrScorpio]

Chris Boeskool
03/14/2016 01:18 pm ET | Updated Mar 14, 2016

I’ve never been punched in the face. Not in an actual fight, at least. I’m not much of a fighter, I suppose... more of an “arguer.” I don’t think I’m “scared” to get into a fight, necessarily — there have been many times I have put myself in situations where a physical fight could easily have happened.

I just can’t see myself ever being the guy who throws the first punch, and I’m usually the kind of guy who DE-escalates things with logic or humor. And one of the things about being that sort of person, is that the other sort of guy — the sort who jumps into fights quickly — tends to not really be a big fan of me. Not when he first meets me, at least. They usually like me later. Not always. You can’t win ‘em all...

When I moved to Nashville, I didn’t really know anyone. I got a job as a server on my second day here. And before long, I was one of the servers the management favored, which meant I got better shifts, better sections and better money.

About nine months after I had been there, a new guy started. We instantly disliked each other. He didn’t like my smart mouth, and I didn’t like how he walked in and immediately acted like he owned the place. He carried himself with this annoying confidence — like it was his world, and he would tolerate our being in it, as long as we stayed out of his damn way.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-boeskool/when-youre-accustomed-to-privilege_b_9460662.html

[Wounded Bear]

1. K & R ......for visibility..

A great read, and a glimpse into the real ways our minds work.

[psychmommy]

2. awesome article

K & r

[brer cat]

3. Really outstanding article.

Thanks for posting! K&R

[salin]

4. Echoing above comments - worth reading.

[mia]

5. Thank you.

Insightful article.

[Behind the Aegis]

6. Now we have the same number of posts.

Congrats on having more recommendations.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016147511

[MrScorpio]

7. But yeah, you got Waaay more views! nt

[Behind the Aegis]

8. Nah...that was me just checking in on my thread!

LOL!

[KitSileya]

9. This is so true.

There was an article in the NYTimes recently about white men in the Democratic party who didn't feel like Hillary Clinton wanted them in the party. They were talking about how she needed to appeal to white men more, that it was a serious problem for her. Her crime? She doesn't use white men as norm when she talks about issues. She addresses issues that concern women. She addresses issues that concern minorities. White men, and white women to a great extent, are used to being centered in the political debate. It feels uncomfortable for many of us when we aren't. But as Boeskool points out, when you're accustomed to privilege, equality can feel like oppression.

Boeskool was privileged - he describes how he is given advantages over his colleagues, with regards to shifts, sections etc. His privilege was challenged by another white guy. I would be interested to know if he worked with any black colleagues, and can he now see a difference in how they were treated. Because how would he have reacted if he was accused of privilege before this guy came along and showed him by taking his privilege? Would he have been as open to those accusations?

[Blue_Tires]

10. k+r

[Starry Messenger]

11. K&R

[riderinthestorm]

12. K&R! nt

[OneGrassRoot]

13. EXCELLENT post!!! k&r N/T