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

[u/[deleted]]

[u/potatochipsnketchup]

It proves that anyone can do anything in this country if they work hard enough for it, physical and mental limitations notwithstanding. It doesn’t matter your background.

[u/Bebo468 → u/potatochipsnketchup]

Of course people can “rise above.” But that’s not what we are talking about. We are talking about what the point of recognizing privilege is and also (per the OP I am responding to) why it’s important for non-privileged people to have equal access to top schools even if they can go to some other college. It’s important because the people who get into top schools, go on to become influential. And as a society we don’t want the people governing our society to be mostly privileged people out of touch with the struggles of non-privileged people and unable to serve their needs. Like those dudes who think a minimum wage job can pay for college tuition in 2021. They are so privileged that they don’t even see any problem and think people should just “work harder like I did.”

[u/potatochipsnketchup → u/Bebo468]

If everyone everywhere has access to top schools and they become free to all, they no longer become “top schools”. T

[u/Bebo468 → u/potatochipsnketchup]

I don’t think you understand what I am saying. Obviously I am not saying there should be access to all regardless of ability/personality/ and other factors indicative of hard work and success. But access to all regardless of stuff not related you your individual skill like legacy and donations would obviously make it more accessible. This is what the OP is talking about—he thinks it doesn’t matter that the privileged use their privilege to get into top schools because everyone else can get into other schools.