Invisible Privilege

Privilege is defined as a right granted as a benefit to some and not to others.  Often times privileges can be unseen to those receiving the privilege.  In the article “Invisible Privilege,” Paula Rothenberg describes how the right to attend a quality school was given to her daughter Andrea, and taken away from her daughter’s friend Jewel.  The privilege of attending a safe quality school was invisible to Andrea because she was so young and because she didn’t know of any other option.  Jewel on the other hand knew of the privilege because her family struggled to ensure she received that privilege and because she had the privilege taken away from her.  Those that go without certain privileges are more likely to be aware of them because it is something that they strive to achieve.  Those that are graced with privileges are often unaware of them because they don’t know life without them.  Those with privileges can often be ignorant of them too because they can forget about how they struggled to achieve them or because the privilege was given to them making it impossible for them to see the privilege. 

Towards the end of her article “Invisible Privilege,” Paula Rothenberg describes how uncomfortable her eight year old daughter Andrea was when they attended Jewel’s birthday party in an underprivileged neighborhood.  She explains how Andrea and she were the only white people at the party and how they were the only ones that came from a wealthier neighborhood.  The other adults at the party understood the reasons for Paula and her daughter’s presence at the party, and were aware of the social awkwardness; but being adults they all knew how to deal with it.  Andrea on the other hand was experiencing life without all of the privileges that she was use to for the first time.  Up until that day she hadn’t really understood just how privileged she was.  Due to the shock and awkwardness Andrea ended her friendship with Jewel.

It is certainly possible to overcome the social differences that Andrea and Jewel faced.  The problem for Andrea was that she was just thrown into an awkward situation where she had to overcome social differences right away.  Jewel on the other hand had attended a school filled with privileged students and understood that she was not as privileged in her current situation.  Having seen both sides of the coin Jewel was aware of the social differences that Andrea and she faced, so it was easier for her to overcome.

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