'Check your privilege'

I mainly see it used by Middle-class Guardian reading woke liberal lefty types, sometimes justified, sometimes not. It does seem to be an attempted immediate shutdownn that loosely translates to ‘you’re too privileged to understand so shut up.’ I think ‘check your irony’ would be a good comeback in most cases.

The correct response to “Check your privilege” is always “Fuck off”.

It’s always some arsehole saying it. I despise those who go through life trying to make others feel guilty. That’s all this is. It’s never a genuine attempt to help someone examine their thoughts.

I see it on Mnet threads about religion.

I see “check your privilege” thrown almost excusively at men, especially if they are straight/white. I have seen it thrown at the occasional woman though too. It’s usually thrown out when someone wants to shut someone down without providing an actual argument of their own. There was a recent case where a black woman was accusing a radio host she was having a heated debate with of having an argument with having white privilege. Hilarity ensued as it turns out he was black too!

As is often the case there is the kernel of a nice idea in there, namely that it never hurts to have a measure of empathy and respect for fellow human beings whose life experience differs from your own especially if you are in disagreement with them. I also think there is a danger of reinforcing an unconscious sense of superiority amongst the individuals one defines as privileged.

What is the context for this please? I am far more privileged than many women but feel all women can speak up for those less fortunate. Who is shouting us down? And why?