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Yes, that’s what I said. “Not all men” and “not all white people” are denials of culpability. Here’s what you’re missing about why they’re unique - privilege is self executing. That means you have it regardless of whether you want it or actively attempt to leverage it. /1
People with privilege have a responsibility to participate in ending inequity because their receipt of unearned benefits is not dependent upon their desire to reinforce that system, it’s the default position. /2
That’s one reason why many with privilege fail to recognize the ways it affects their lives. You might say employment discrimination doesn’t exist because you were once passed over unfairly, but you fail to recognize the number of other opportunities you received unfairly. /3
You don’t have to be a racist or a misogynist to benefit from or perpetuate the inequity they reinforce, doing nothing has the same effect. Unfair treatment does not require your participation to occur and cause harm, and your silence operates as tacit acceptance of the same. /4
So when you say, “not all men/white people” you’re exempting yourself from accountability for that specific thing, but also abdicating your responsibility to resolve it. You’re re-centering the conversation on yourself and effectively saying “not me, not my problem.”
Stop it. //
Stop it. //
