Most of us have experienced privilege in some form (race, gender, age, looks, social class, status, etc.). What is privilege? Give examples describing how someone benefited from privilege and how another has “lost out” because of someone else’s privilege. You may use personal or observed examples, but do not use hypothetical ones. [1 page, 50 pts] What is privilege? “The concept of privilege refers to any advantage that is unearned, exclusive and socially conferred” (Johnson, A., 2013). I would agree with Mr. Johnson’s definition. Allan G. Johnson is a sociologist who has dedicated “most of his working life to understanding the human condition, especially in relation to social justice rooted in gender, race, and social class.
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I met a young man, he was about the age of 17, who became a part time sales associate at a store I worked at. I was not in a leadership position at the time but I noticed the young man’s work ethic was non- existent. He bounced a lacrosse ball through the store and talked to other associates (ignoring customers). His appearance was clean cut, white, tall and handsome. He seemed to like me, as he was always asking me about my children’s involvement in hockey (he played hockey at a local high school). One day, he came to me and said he was to be involved in a photo shoot for our store’s hockey department. He was so excited and said “Maybe my Dad will let me keep the equipment I wear”. He gave me a high five and off he went. Later that evening, my store manager told me the young man’s father was an executive Vice President with our company. It all made sense. The reason why he was not held accountable, for lack of effort on the job and his involvement with photo shoot, was the result of nepotism. The young man went off to college and came back as a sales manager. Rumor had it he did not like his position at store level, so he was moved to the company’s corporate office. I did catch up with him not long ago and he was happy and enjoying “being out of the stores”. Many people would love to have been promoted as fast as this young man and this situation has caused many people to be angry
I met a young man, he was about the age of 17, who became a part time sales associate at a store I worked at. I was not in a leadership position at the time but I noticed the young man’s work ethic was non- existent. He bounced a lacrosse ball through the store and talked to other associates (ignoring customers). His appearance was clean cut, white, tall and handsome. He seemed to like me, as he was always asking me about my children’s involvement in hockey (he played hockey at a local high school). One day, he came to me and said he was to be involved in a photo shoot for our store’s hockey department. He was so excited and said “Maybe my Dad will let me keep the equipment I wear”. He gave me a high five and off he went. Later that evening, my store manager told me the young man’s father was an executive Vice President with our company. It all made sense. The reason why he was not held accountable, for lack of effort on the job and his involvement with photo shoot, was the result of nepotism. The young man went off to college and came back as a sales manager. Rumor had it he did not like his position at store level, so he was moved to the company’s corporate office. I did catch up with him not long ago and he was happy and enjoying “being out of the stores”. Many people would love to have been promoted as fast as this young man and this situation has caused many people to be angry