Privilege Test (Week 9)

I just did the one for "social class privilege checklist" because it is the one that is more related to the topic of the week, which is about white privilege and how to talk about it with our students. However, you might find the other privilege checklist useful for you or your classes.

This list is written by Peggy McIntosh, associate director of the Wellesley Collage Center for Research on Women. She calls it the "Social Class Privilege Checklist," stating:

1. I don’t need to worry about learning the social customs of others. 
2. The ‘better people’ are in my social group.
3. It is likely that my career and financial success will be attributed to my hard work. ✓
4. People appear to pay attention to my social class. 
5. When I am shopping, people usually call me “Sir” or “Ma’am”. 
6. When making a purchase with a check or credit card, my appearance doesn’t create problems.✓
7. When I, or my children, are taught about history, people from my social class are represented in the books. 
8. I can easily speak with my attorney or physician. 
9. There are neighborhoods I can move to where I feel ‘at home’. ✓
10. There are places where I can be among those exclusively from my social class. ✓
11. I can deny Social Class Privilege by asserting that all social classes are essentially the same. 
12. Experts appearing on mass media are from my social class. 
13. There are stores that market especially to people from my social class. ✓
14. I can protect myself and my children from people who may not like us based on my social class. ✓
15. Law enforcement officials will likely assume I am a non-threatening person once they see me and hear me. ✓
16. Disclosure of my work and education may actually help law enforcement officials perceive me as being “in the right” or “unbiased.” ✓
17. I can easily speak to my child’s college professors. ✓
18. My citizenship and immigration status will likely not be questioned, and my background will likely not be investigated, because of my social class. 
19. I can be sure that my social class will be an advantage when seeking medical or legal help.
20. If I wish to my children to private schools, I have a variety of options. 
21. I can find colleges that have many people from my social class as students and that welcome me or my child. 
22. If I apply for a prestige job competing with people of a lower class, my social class will be to my advantage.
23. The decision to hire me will be related to my background and where I went to school.
24. When I watch TV or read the papers I can see people of my own class represented well. 
25. The “Newsmakers” are like me. 
26. I deserve my status because of my accomplishments. ✓
27. If I get offered a job over someone with more experience, it is because I deserve it. ✓
28. My elected representatives share a similar background with mine.
29. Chances the person in charge in any organization is like me or is sympathetic to my status.
30. My child is never ignored in school, and if there are problems, I am called by the teacher or principal. 
31. People are usually careful with their language and grammar around me. ✓

(McIntosh).

Source: https://www.nasco.coop/sites/default/files/srl/Action%20Camp%20Packet.pdf

This list is based on blogger RioIriri's post on "abled privilege." These dynamics are a few examples of the privilege that able-bodied people have. Riolriri writes:

1. I can easily arrange to be in the company of people of my physical ability.
2. If I need to move, I can easily be assured of purchasing housing I can get access to easily - accessibility is one thing I do not need to make a special point of looking for.
3. I can be assured that my entire neighborhood will be accessible to me.
4. I can assume that I can go shopping alone, and they will always have appropriate accommodations to make this experience hassle-free.
5. I can turn on the television or open a newspaper and see people of my physical ability represented.
6. When I learned about history, people of my physical ability were well represented.
7. I was given curricular material which showed people like me as a role model.
8. I can be assured that assumptions about my mental capabilities will not be made based on my physical status.
9. I can swear, dress sloppily, or even be in a bad mood without people attributing it to my physical disability.
10. I can do well in challenging situations very often without being told what an inspiration I must be to other able-bodied people.
11. I have been asked to speak for all physically challenged people.
12. Almost always, when asking to speak to the person in charge, will find someone of the same physical status.
13. I can buy posters, postcards, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys, children’s magazines featuring people of the same physical status.
14. I can take a job with an affirmative action employer without having someone suspect I got my job because of my disability.
15. If I am fired, not given a raise, or not hired, I do not have to question whether it had anything to do with my appearing physically incompetent.

(Riolriri).

Source: http://rioiriri.blogspot.com/2009/04/invisible-crutch.html

I can ta"30+ Examples of Christian Privilege" is one of Sam Killerman's privilege lists that he created for people of privilege to empathize with other, non-privileged individuals. Social justice advocate, Killermann writes:

1. You can expect to have time off work to celebrate religious holidays.
2. Music and television programs pertaining to your religion’s holidays are readily accessible.
3. It is easy to find stores that carry items that enable you to practice your faith and celebrate religious holidays.
4. You aren’t pressured to celebrate holidays from another faith that may conflict with your religious values.
5. Holidays celebrating your faith are so widely supported you can often forget they are limited to your faith (e.g. wish someone a “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Easter” without considering their faith).
6. You can worship freely, without fear of violence or threats.
7. A bumper sticker supporting your religion won’t likely lead to your car being vandalized.
8. You can practice your religious customs without being questioned, mocked, or inhibited.
9. If you are being tried in court, you can assume that the jury of “your peers” will share your faith and not hold that against you in weighing decisions.
10. When swearing an oath, you will place your hand on a religious scripture pertaining to your faith.
11. Positive references to your faith are seen dozens of times a day by everyone, regardless of their faith.
12. Politicians responsible for your governance are probably members of your faith.
13. Politicians can make decisions citing your faith without being labeled as heretics or extremists.
14. It is easy for you to find your faith accurately depicted in television, movies, books, and other media.
15. You can reasonably assume that anyone you encounter will have a decent understanding of your beliefs.
16. You will not be penalized (socially or otherwise) for not knowing other people’s religious customs.
17. Your faith is accepted/supported at your workplace.
18. You can go into any career you want without it being associated with or explained by your faith.
19. You can travel to any part of the country and know your religion will be accepted, safe, and you will have access to religious spaces to practice your faith.
20. Your faith can be an aspect of your identity without being a defining aspect (e.g., people won’t think of you as their “Christian” friend)
21. You can be polite, gentle, or peaceful, and not be considered an “exception” to those practicing your faith.
22. Fundraising to support congregations of your faith will not be investigated as potentially threatening or terrorist behavior.
23. Construction of spaces of worship will not likely be halted due to your faith.
24. You are never asked to speak on behalf of all the members of your faith.
25. You can go anywhere and assume you will be surrounded by members of your faith.
26. Without special effort, your children will have a multitude of teachers who share your faith.
27. Without special effort, your children will have a multitude of friends who share your faith.
28. It is easily accessible for you or your children to be educated from kindergarten through post-grad at institutions of your faith.
29. Disclosing your faith to an adoption agency will not likely prevent you from being able to adopt children.
30. In the event of a divorce, the judge won’t immediately grant custody of your children to your ex because of your faith.
31. Your faith is taught or offered as a course in most public institutions.
32. You can complain about your religion being under attack without it being perceived as an attack on another religion.
33. You can dismiss the idea that identifying with your faith bears certain privileges.

(Killermann).

Source: http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2012/05/list-of-examples-of-christian-privileg/

his checklist was originally posted in an article written by Erin McKelle in "Feminism Magazine." The following is a list of age privileges shared by people who are sexual.

McKelle states: 

You have privilege by virtue of being sexual because…

1. You can easily see your sexuality represented in every facet of popular media.
2. You are not questioned about your sexuality, as you are assumed to be sexual.
3. You have information about sexuality and your experiences of sexuality at your fingertips.
4. You’re able to form relationships with other sexual people without having to go to great lengths.
5. You don’t have to worry about having to explain your status to people, especially those who are attracted to you.
6. You don’t have to face being misunderstood or uninformed reactions to your sexuality.
7. You can easily date people of your same orientation.
8. There is a wide range of platforms for dating available to you, including online.
9. You don’t face a lack of intimacy because of your sexuality.
10. You don’t have to educate others about your sexual preference.
11. Your sexuality isn’t invisible.
12. Your sexuality is the norm in society.
13. You don’t face being labeled as abnormal for your sexual preferences.
14. Sexual situations don’t have to be navigated with extreme caution or panic.
15. People know what your sexual orientation label means.
16. Your intimacy and relationships are not constantly questioned.
17. You don’t need awareness campaigns for your sexuality to be recognized.
18. Your sex drive isn’t a deal breaker for potential partners.
19. Society doesn’t question your sexual desires or why you have them.
20. Your form of sexuality will probably be discussed in sex education classes.
21. Your sexuality is not assumed to be an impossibility.
22. You aren’t told that your sexuality is a matter of having the right experience.
23. You don’t have to worry about others not knowing what your sexual orientation means or is.
24. You are not labeled as pathological or mentally deranged because of your sexual orientation.
25. The existence of your sexuality is not up for debate.       (McKelle).

Source: http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/01/privileges-sexual-people-have/?utm_source=Everyday+Feminism+Subscription&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=d839107831-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_term=0_d19c2176ed-d839107831-91570753