The Complexities of Privilege

Dear Liz Lin,

I was interested in your analysis of the extent to which Asian-Americans have privilege. You mentioned that you are privileged in that many view you as “good tenants, reliable employees, responsible citizens—not trouble makers.” Yet you also face some disadvantages, such as the numerous stereotypes that reduce your individuality. I connected this complexity of privilege to my experiences. From an economic standpoint, I am privileged—I have never had to worry about my family’s financial situation and I have grown up in a wealthy town and have access to a great public school system. My race, however, presents disadvantages to me. The experience of middle to upper class African-Americans illustrates how class, gender, and race all intersect in the realm of privilege and shows why examining only a part of a person’s identity results in misrepresenting the full picture.

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