'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.

I'm not sure that it does alienate the privileged though. In fact, I had a bit of an eureka moment a few months ago, when I realised how bloody privileged I am. I'd always thought of myself as being generally pretty oppressed (so many minorities in just one human!) and then I realised that bloody hell, I have it so much easier than so many people because of my privilege. And that doesn't come with pride or relief- it makes me want to make the world a level playing field.

"Check your privilege" was always bullsh*t destined to become a joke phrase.

The pushback was usually on "it isn't privilege" and then some SJW would the patiently and wrongly explain that something required for basic human rights (a job, adequate nutrition, decent schools, law and order, dignity) was "privilege".

Unlike a human right, privilege is an item that can be taken away. When privilege is taken away it goes to those with even more privilege, not to those without. People understand that even if they've never had a civics, poli sci class in their life.

One of those phrases destined to piss people off to the point where they make fun of it.

Exclusively seen it used by women to men.
Although I would expect trans (male) activists probably use it to women as well.

Well the straight vs curly privilege is just beyond ridiculous.

(And others who have also seen this as a joke.)

I would guess its about the specific politics and care of afro hair, rather than just 'whose hair is currently most fashionable?'

For the uninitiated: There's a huge amount of (varied, complicated) moralising about what constitutes 'good' afro hair - fraught with current and historic racism. Different textures of natural afro hair will be met with different levels of tolerance.

It's a bit like how the experience of saying 'fuckit, I won't shave my legs any more' isn't the same for a fair English woman as it is for a dark-haired middle eastern woman, for example.

Fair point Nell. I personally think Afro hair is beautiful. But I understand that some woc probably feel pressure to adhere to certain patriarchal "beauty" standards. If I'm understanding correctly, does some of those standards come from other woc? If so that's sad. I'm going to make a huge assumption here that some of those setting the standard are the social media influencer types.

I wish sometimes I could go up to every young woman on the planet and tell them how beautifully unique they are. But that would probably be hypocritical of me because, it's ultimately something that you need to learn for yourself. That comes with age.