Great article. I, too, have had several unpleasant encounters with folks regarding this topic. It is almost always because the other person is equating the denial of one’s inherent privilege with standing in solidarity with a less privileged or underprivileged group of people. And when they see the world in this way, and you (or I) are standing there in full acknowledgement of our own privilege, and simultaneously condemning the inequality in the world, well, then, arent we just the biggest hypocrites ever?

Those folks seem to believe that privilege is something a person can shed, or disown. And they are probably right to some degree, its just that they would NEVER actually be willing to adopt a less-privileged life. And deciding in your heart of hearts that you’re going to stop it with all the being born privileged is a nice sentiment and also ridiculous.

The whole thing kills me, and this argument, ad infinitum, might literally be the death of me someday.

Its exhausting.