How can we discuss privilege when there are now differing meanings of the word? – Vicki Robinson
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, privilege has four main meanings:
‘…a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group…’
‘…something regarded as a special honour…’
‘…the right to say or write something without the risk of incurring punishment or legal action for defamation.’
‘…the right of a lawyer or official to refuse to divulge confidential information.’
Historically, it referred to the granting of ‘special rights or immunities’ to ‘an individual, corporation or place’, and the word originates from the Latin privilegium – a ‘bill or law affecting an individual’.
In everyday terms, privilege is now less about law and more about having received an advantageous experience – a private education, for example, or being born into a wealthy family. It relates to a minority, and is certainly not something that the majority of the population has.
Recently, however, a new definition of the word has suddenly emerged, particularly in the media and online circles. If your skin is white, you are by definition privileged, because you have not experienced racism. To misquote Jeremy Corbyn, privilege is now for the many, not the few. This new definition has its roots in academia, and has been introduced with no discussion or attempt to change people’s minds - exemplified in a much-discussed BBC Bitesize video featuring psychologist John Amaechi. In it, he explains privilege as ‘the absence of an impediment’, not ‘immediate unearned riches and tangible benefits’. Since when? Why change the dictionary definition?
This new definition is strange for three reasons. Firstly, it is an overstatement. Surely a life free of racism is a basic – a right, even – that everyone should have. Indeed, the Oxford English Dictionary gives the parallel example of, ‘education is a right, not a privilege’. Secondly, being part of a different skin-colour majority – for example, having brown skin in India – is not considered a privilege. Whiteness is seen as innately racist, as though it is in the DNA. Thirdly, circumstances depend on numerous factors. A homeless person who has not experienced racism can hardly be described as more privileged than, say, a wealthy banker who has been judged by the colour of their skin.
Additionally, is it always fair to assume that because someone has white skin and lives in the West, they have never been a minority or experienced prejudice? People often assume that of me, when in reality I spent three years as the only person with white skin in a rural Japanese village. People there often referred to my skin colour. It is not so unusual to have lived abroad in the 21st century.
Other words have had their meaning changed rapidly too. It can feel as though periodically someone descends from Mount Woke Olympus with a new word meaning, and disappears back up with no explanation. It is frustrating and confusing to say the least.
The question is, is deliberately changing the meaning of a word effective? It appears not. Discussions do not work when people have differing definitions of certain words. For example:
“You need to check your privilege [because you’re white].”
“You what? I didn’t go to private school.”
There are better ways to change how people think about race. The English language is known for its elasticity and flexibility. New words often emerge, often incorporated from different languages. Rather than stifle people with top-down meaning changes, it would be more effective to open people’s minds by focusing less on race.
In The Equiano Project’s ‘Alternative possibilities – Part 1: What does it mean to transcend race?’ video, Carlos Hoyt says, ‘Pooling people into racial silos is akin to zoologists grouping racoons, tigers and okapi on the basis that they are all stripy’. This good-humoured comment shows how ridiculous categorising people by skin colour is. Culture and heritage are much more important. Expand minds and the English language will catch up. New words and concepts will be invented. Perhaps one day we will no longer need the words ‘race’ and ‘racism’. For all our sakes, let’s hope that day comes soon.
Vicki Robinson
@storiesopinions