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The inevitable injustice that accompanies privilege is exacerbated when the privileged don’t acknowledge that they have more social access than others AND that said access comes at the expense of another groups’s well-being. Check out this graphic representation of how one teacher taught the class how to examine their privilege — and how it affects others.

There comes a moment when we are all confronted with our own privilege. And yes, it can be very challenging to accept and acknowledge this privilege — but the way we react when confronted says a lot about us. Check out this poem by Andrea Gibson about a moment when fellow poet Sonya Renee called them out for their white privilege and about how they reacted.

White privilege is a concept that far too many people misunderstand. People of color aren’t unfairly discriminated against, the argument goes; they are just unwilling to work hard to get ahead. But structural inequality disproves that. Here are just a few of the things that are more than likely to be true if one happens to have been born white in America.

About one year ago, I lost my job. The 6 months it took me to find a new position changed me, and maybe more importantly, it informed my feminism. It also brought me face-to-face with my own privilege. Having a “career” instead of a “job” is a privilege. Benefits, health insurance, and a living wage are all privileges, too – and I no longer take them for granted.

Recently I got an angry e-mail from someone who knows my parents pretty well, and had read something I had written about privilege. “How disrespectful can you be!? You’re spitting in the face of everything your parents have worked for.” I explained that acknowledging privilege doesn’t discredit any of my dad’s hard work. It simply puts that hard work in context.

There’s no such thing as racism against white people – and that statement probably bothers you if you don’t know this info about prejudice and oppression. Here’s the reality.

In the wake of the tragedies in Boston, we must challenge ourselves to reflect on our reactions to loss of life, violence, and tragedy. Why don’t Americans express the same outrage when similar — and far greater — tragedies occur abroad, or even in our own urban neighborhoods? Perhaps the barometer to our reactions is grounded in racism and xenophobia.

Our social movements have failed to reach a transformational level of change. In part, this is due to how we don’t address our own privilege or prioritize supporting and lifting up marginalized voices to the social change table. And until we do, our work will not achieve lasting structural changes – where those being impacted are leading the fight for their own communities, supported by allies.

Conversations about privilege can quickly go wrong, angry, and defensive. Here are a few things to consider before jumping into the conversation around privilege.

In my work, I’m regularly asked, “What can I do? I know that injustice exists, but I feel so powerless. I want to help!” Many folks of privilege struggle to figure out how to act for justice. More often than not, those who are denied access, voice, privilege, and justice in dominant culture know exactly what they need to do. So to that point, my answer to their question is always the same: “Listen.”

Person sitting at computer Editor’s Note: We at Everyday Feminism would like to note our understanding that toxic call-outs manifest in many different ways and do not only target individuals on the basis of race or gender. While this particular conversation focuses on racism and transphobia in social media call-outs, we understand this may feel…

“I’m complicit in racism. And you are, too!” Are any of the themes in Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” familiar from your life?

You already know we can’t be complacent in this age of Trump and bigotry. Here’s a reminder of how our power to resist gives us hope for change.

Are you only thinking about thin people’s experiences when you talk about sex apps like Grindr? These common assumptions show that we need to change the conversation.

Ever wondered “Where did this all come from?” when people of color talk about white privilege? This author’s friend asked – and her answer puts it all in perspective.

We’ve all made mistakes in activism, and Angelina L.B. (aka albinwonderland) is owning up to one of hers. Her new perspective on fatphobia makes a lot of sense to us!

Do bisexual people have “passing privilege” if they’re perceived as straight? You might think so, but this comic shows why that’s a harmful assumption to make.

Many forms of privilege are based on things you’re born with – so if you’ve “worked for” your body, does thin privilege still count? Here’s how it works.

Person looking like they're arguing at a computer

Does female privilege exist? The short answer is no. But people cite chivalry, free drinks at the bar, and more to say that it does – and here’s what their arguments are missing.

Everything changed when this author landed her first full-time, salaried job. Class privilege can look like the small things we take for granted – here are some everyday examples.