'Check your privilege'

[OMGithurts]

While being aware of one's advantages in life is no bad thing in principle, can anyone point me to examples of where this is used in any other way than to try to shout down women speaking up for other women? It never seems to be hurled at other single issue platformers.

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?

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.

I see it on Mnet threads about religion.

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 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.

Yes, I’ve generally seen it directed towards men too. But it is being thrown out to women more of late. Especially the “naughty” ones that dare to have an opinion.

The irony is the ones screaming it are generally very comfortably middle class and university educated. I’d love someone to say that to me... they would certainly receive the verbal education their uni failed to provide

Lol. Love check your irony. Perfect.

Does 'check' mean 'examine whether you benefit from unearned privilege' or 'whoah there, rein in that privilege'? I have never understood.

I think it means I see myself as more oppressed than you so consider my opinions sacrosanct. Generally it comes alongside no interest in understanding the other point of view but a need to win the debate.
Has been put to good use by TRAs.

@Dragon3 I think 'check' means examine and investigate in this turn of phrase. So, 'have a deeper look at your own advantages in comparison to many others'.

I hear it being used against white women who refuse or forget to consider that BAME (black, Asian, biracial etc) women have always been advocates for equal rights. And I understand that: BAME women have to fight against racial and gender inequalities, so two multifaceted battles at once. At all times.

Have also heard it against mothers of many children from mothers / parents undergoing IVF.

Have heard it used against SAHP by working parents. Because it is such a daily delight to be an unpaid skivvy

Have heard it used against someone with a PhD when she had mentioned someone else's deficiencies in thinking through a problem.

Have heard it on You tube by curly naturals using it against loose curly naturals and straight haired women.

It's out there.

Have a listen, it's only 2 minutes long. It is indeed hilarious.

It means, "Bow down to me, cur! I am higher than you on the victim hierarchy!"

It's only used by people drunk on mean girls power. In my experience. I now stay away from all forums where it's used, and my mental health is all the better for it.

Well the straight vs curly privilege is just beyond ridiculous. The privilege would shift entirely depending upon the fashion of the day. I say this as a straight haired person who submitted myself to dreadful 80’s perms. Where do bald people fit on the privilege scale?

If you heard that discussion in person I’m in absolute awe of your ability to maintain a straight face.

Ah just saw YouTube reference.

The bald people check down below to discover everyone has had curly privilege all along.

Bahahahaha. (Applauds Chewy)

I find it's rarely used by anyone any more, except men who want to define feminism as dedicated for the service of men.

Is it more of an American thing than a British one? I've never heard it over here, just references to it.

Thanks Tea.

Well it’s regularly used to shut up, especially privately educated in my experience. Far more often than I have seen it used against women actually.

I used to see it on Jezebel a lot, about 10 years ago when I was posting on there.

It was a race thing, then.

Hmm. I have heard it used sensibly, and it has been said to me and has actually made me re-examine and give things more thought.

But who decides who has the privilege?
Is there privilege people in charg3e of privilege rankings
Or would that be privileged

I do think it can be useful to be in mind of the barriers some people face in our society m because of something outside of their control such as sex or race, there are huge inequalities and I'm not surprised people get angry about it. But the phrase 'check your privilege' has served to further the victim mentality of individualism which makes no real progress in solving inequality by alienating the privileged 'oppressors' who are in the positions to make changes.

Hmm. I have heard it used sensibly, and it has been said to me and has actually made me re-examine and give things more thought.

Me too, though actually not the exact phrase. But I've been reminded that my perspective was off.

Privilege does blind us. This is true. I'm white. I'm straight. I've never experienced poverty. I have heaps of privilege and it gives me blind spots, which I can do my best to correct by listening to other voices but yeah sometimes my perspective might be off. I think it's a really good thing to be aware of, though I don't agree with the use of the catchphrase by itself just to shut other people up. You have to also explain your point and what it is that you think they missed.