As a white, straight male, I’ve come to recognise that I’ve inherited a certain amount of privilege through no fault of my own. Racism, homophobia and sexism are still massive systemic problems in the West today. While it might not be so obvious, and many people would claim that they play no part in this, we live in a system that is incredibly biased towards middle-class, white, straight, men. The opportunities and resources available to me would be radically different if I were not white, straight and male – if I wasn’t privileged. It’s easy to ignore this, especially when I’m the one usually benefitting from it. I mean, why should I complain about the fact I’ve been given a good education and can work doing a job that I enjoy? Why shouldn’t I just enjoy my privilege?
However, the more I’ve read about, and been involved in, movements such as #blacklivesmatter, gay pride marches and feminism, the more I realise that this is an issue that I can not be silent about any longer. Ignoring racism, sexism, homophobia and any other intolerance or abuse is being complicit in it. It’s saying that that it is ok, that I’m comfortable watching other people being treated like they less than me simply because they are a different race, gender, sexuality or religion. While the problems in the U.K. aren’t nearly as bad as they are in other countries, the inequality is still there. You only have to look at the under-representation of people of colour in areas like the TV and film industries, medicine and academia, the pay disparities between male and female workers in the same job, the blatant homophobia we see in the church and the sheer amount of racist abuse that has increased as a result of Brexit. I can’t ignore this any longer.
But what can I actually do about it? I can’t change my race, sexuality or gender any more than I can undo the result of Brexit — they are factors outside of my control. I can’t simply ignore it, because as I said, that means I’m just inadvertently supporting an unfair system. So I have to start by acknowledging it. Acknowledge the fact that I’m privileged, and that I couldn’t even begin to understand what it’s like to live as somebody without it. I need to acknowledge this to myself, but also point it out when I can see that I’m benefiting from it myself, or see others lives being affected by their own (or their lack of) privilege.
I need to stop feeling shy or afraid of pointing out racism, sexism or homophobia when I see it — even if that means risking losing friends or falling out with family. To actively stand up for people, using my privilege and voice to elevate the voices of those who can’t be heard, whether that be in real life, or on social media. I’m realising that even my social media feeds are predominantly white and straight, so I’m going to make an effort to balance them out with different voices.
Hopefully, by starting to acknowledge my own privilege, and by taking steps to expose the systems which cause discrimination to those who aren’t, we can begin to move towards a society where everyone is considered equal.
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