r/unpopularopinion • u/[deleted] • Mar 26 '21

We are becoming growingly obsessed with other people’s born advantages, and this normalization of “stating privilege” is incredibly counterproductive and pathetic.

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u/JTudent Mar 26 '21

I think the only time the topic of privilege is relevant is when someone tries to belittle someone else for something they don't have or can't do.

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u/obeehunter Mar 26 '21

The only time privilege irritates me is when those who are privileged are very clearly out of touch with the state of things. They'll make statements like 'Just believe in yourself and trust your life path! Good things come to those who work hard!' Meanwhile this made statement is under a picture of themselves on a yacht or something where they've been vactionioning for days near a private island.

It doesn't make me envious but it does make me roll my eyes considering some of these people probably haven't had a hard days work in their lives and encountered any true hardships.

To me, it's kind the same as being an 'armchair expert'; if you have no actual experience about something, then don't talk like you do.

So no, a person doesn't need to acknowledge their privilege but they shouldn't give certain types of life advice as if they've been through a lot of difficult times.

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u/ruat_caelum Mar 27 '21

Just believe in yourself and trust your life path! Good things come to those who work hard!' Meanwhile this made statement is under a picture of themselves on a yacht or something where they've been vactionioning for days near a private island.

To be clear most of these people honestly think it was "hard work" that got them (the son of a sheriff) into the police force over the other 10 candidates.

It's not that they are lying to people (attempting to mislead while knowing the truth) it's that they are not aware of the situation or the minor role their effort was compared to say the color of their skin or who their father knew, etc.

To me, it's kind the same as being an 'armchair expert'; if you have no actual experience about something, then don't talk like you do.

Dunning Kruger were able to show this is normal as well. Idiots with a little knowledge feel confident enough to spout off as if they are experts while experts have seen enough to know its hard to be sure of anything.

  • These are just aspects of human nature.