How Privileged Are You?

[AngryAmish]

[seabeyond]

1. 85. privileged. but then i knew that. though, i dont think tall for women necessarily qualifies,

but maybe. i prefer being taller than average.

[loli phabay]

2. i am so far in the red on this. thanks god im tall and hot or i would be in real trouble

[seabeyond]

4. literally..... bah hahahahaha. lol. you made me laugh. the best.

sigh....

[loli phabay]

5. thankfully i wont let it make me sad lol i think im in the mid minus 200's

[hfojvt]

7. I am not sure "overweight" qualifies as a handicap for men

When push comes to shove, it does not hurt to have a few extra pounds, and I have found being a skinny guy to be a distinct handicap that in sum, women don't desire you and men don't respect you.

[loli phabay]

9. i think it means more than a few pounds overweight. being obese is definetly a minus score on this

Test is think.

[Floyd_Gondolli]

89. Oh yeah, as a hefty guy I have to beat the ladies off with a stick

[dawg]

93. Overweight is not as much of a negative for men as it is for women ...

but it is definitely a negative. People can be very cruel and judgmental.

[loli phabay]

103. it depends on how much weight is over and how a person carries it.

[dawg]

107. Still, I think men have the advantage here.

For comparable levels of overweight, females usually face more discrimination, both socially and in the workplace. At least that has been my observation.

I don't think it's fair the way overweight women *or* men are treated. But I see women getting the worse deal most of the time.

[HiPointDem]

124. i think for a lot of women, money outweighs weight. otoh, for a lot of men, it takes more money

to outweigh the weight.

[Warpy]

134. Get yourself made up as a woman in a fat suit

You'll find out why it subtracts so much from the total really fast.

We're not talking about a little pudge here and there, we're talking exogenous obesity. Men are penalized, also, but nothing like the way women are.

ETA: even though I'm affluent, I came out with a -15, very disprivileged.

[hfojvt]

144. that's why I said "for a male"

and the scale just says "overweight" not "morbidly obese".

One funny thing though is that I weighed about 130 in high school, 140 in college and weigh 165 now, and people still call me skinny.

My brother is perhaps 200, with the same height and the same frame. Give me that much weight in high school, even if a lot of it is flab, as is the case with both my brother and I, and I guarantee you that I move up the pecking order.

Yep, and even though I am moderately poor, terminally single and work as a janitor, I came up with +180.

Which is why I think the scoring system is bullsh*t.

What a privilege it is to clean toilets and shovel snow.

[Warpy]

145. It's not measuring economic status, although that is part of it.

It's a measure of things like how easily and safely you can move around.

Trust me, according to that standard, you are highly privileged.

It's about the kind of privilege that is not measured in money.

And I thank you for your efforts at your job. The school would not function without you.

[hfojvt]

146. you know how many times I have been stopped

for "driving while poor"? Probably more times than my black co-worker has been stopped for driving while black.

Or how many times I have been told "you might be a shoplifter" because I don't drive a car (and thus carry a backpack)?

I am quite certain that it is easier and safer to move around in a nice car, than it is either by bicycle or by foot.

When I lived across the street, sometimes I would walk around the capitol building at night in Lincoln, Nebraska. I had read some stories about gay guys getting attacked in that neighborhood. Well, it seemed to me then, and still does, that I could just as easily got beaten up by a gang of thugs who THINKS I am gay, that actually being straight was really no protection at all.

[dawg]

91. Moderately tall is a net plus for a woman.

Very tall is probably a minus. I have been told that some smaller women feel overwhelmed by larger people, especially in the workplace.

[loli phabay]

94. i think for women its not the height but proportions that tend to matter more in society

For men i think there is more leeway but height is an advantage. Also being in proportion helps as well.

[dawg]

99. I agree with that.

In our shallow society, women are harshly judged based on appearance. Height doesn't really have much to do with that.

On the balance though, I think average-height women would still have some advantages over shorter ones.

[raccoon]

157. I think tall for women does qualify. I've always been short, and as a child and

young adult people often told me that (as if I didn't know, duh).

Now that I'm in my 60's nobody ever points that out...some advantages to being older and not noticed.

[hfojvt]

3. I love how "able bodied" is called a "privilege"

Maybe "fortunate" would be a better word, except that implies that people should want to be something other than what they are.

Although, it is not a bad thing for a disabled person to wish they were able bodied, or for poor people to wish they had more money.

Many of those words are undefined. I was just thinking of that the other day, at almost 6 feet, I am moderately tall, but I don't think I really qualify as "tall". Now if I was 6' 3" or maybe even 6' 2" then that would be tall, but 6 foot falls on the tall side of the sort of normal range of 5' 9" to 6' 1" (for males).

[MineralMan]

17. You may be misunderstanding. Being able-bodied

gives you privilege. It's not a privilege that you earn...it just exists.

Able-bodied people are not inconvenienced in their daily activities by things like stairs, heavy doors, and other issues. They don't notice that they can go where they want, when they want, and how they want. That is the privilege of being able-bodied.

The point of this chart is to show you ways that privilege accrues to you automatically.

Being aware of how one is privileged is important. Others are not always similarly privileged. Being aware of that, and acting accordingly, you can minimize the impact your innate privilege has on others.

[CreekDog]

68. good post MM

[Taverner]

77. +1000

The fact this needs a response tells me why we can't have nice things here on DU

[MineralMan]

87. Well, Not everyone understands concepts the same way.

Privilege has more than one meaning. Sometimes people confuse the meanings.

[winter is coming]

98. +1. I became much more aware of barriers when I had a stroller to push and, later on,

when I was trying to get toddler hands washed in public bathrooms.

[hfojvt]

141. it's only a "privilege" if you accept "disabled" as the "norm"

and then call being able bodied a "special benefit" (the meaning of the word 'privilege') as if it is not enjoyed by about 85% of the population, or more.

I think the perspective of the vast majority should have more validity and that it is silly to call the norm, a privilege.

Further, it is a bit of a mixed blessing. Being able bodied often forces you to load sixteen tons, like I did today, and the day before. It also allows you the "privilege" of maybe losing your job. Whereas my social security report from 2008 said that if I had become disabled then I could have collected $864 a month in disability payments. Instead of that, I made a whole $12,604 for working that year and $14,482 the next year and $13,130 the following year.

Clearly, depending on the disability, a person could be better off in many ways with such a disability.

No, I think the point of the chart is to allow members of certain groups to feel like martyrs To allow them to think "wow, I sure have it tough". Why just look at that - being female is just as bad as being deaf and twice as bad as being poor. And a gay male Asian, like, say George Takei is at +10 for privilege whereas I being a straight, white, hetero, able bodied male am at +95. So what am I supposed to do with this awareness of how much more privileged I am than George?

[Egalitarian Thug]

38. Additionally, as an able bodied person you are perceived in a more favorable light

than the disabled by others. Kind of like being good looking gives you an advantage in almost every aspect of life.

[2naSalit]

51. Actually

I think there is a problem in not including something in between really messed up (used only for context) and "able bodied" because appearance here can be deceiving. I look able bodied but my body is basically used up insofar as I cannot do heavy work like cooking or lifting more than 15lbs which puts me at a serious disadvantage when seeking slave labor which is all that's available for someone over 50, and there's yet another factor missing from this little exercise... age.

Guess I'm somewhere in the red but sort of near the next grade up... but still not privileged in most designations.

[Confusious]

114. It's a parody

It also pretty much ignores whether you were an orphan, abuse, violent crime, family situation, and pretty much everything else that could happen in a persons life to make them who they are.

It sums up the ridiculousness of putting people in small boxes and defining them by that box.

If you play, you're ridiculous also.

http://socialjusticefail.tumblr.com/

[2naSalit]

133. Guess I missed that part.

[theKed]

6. The low-to-mid non-privileged for me

What's the source on this? There's some facets I question about this

[sinkingfeeling]

8. My biggest 'hits' are being female and non-religious. Still above average.

[BainsBane]

56. non-religions is 0

I don't consider that a hit. Female is a hit, as is having a disability or illness.

[Kali]

86. minus 25 in the US

oh yes

[badtoworse]

10. What would you call the baseline?

BTW, I totaled 150, but I don't think that's anything remarkable. I've traveled quite a bit in developing countries and I feel very lucky to be living in the USA.

[DURHAM D]

11. Could you link to the source.

This is very interesting.

[AngryAmish]

13. no idea about the source

just got sent the link

[kentauros]

12. What does

"100+ Check it Daily" mean?

Also, some of the tiny print isn't legible.

Otherwise, I got 140.

[AngryAmish]

14. check your privilege, make sure you are not oppressing folks

[kentauros]

15. Okay, thanks.

It's still kind of meaningless. No matter what you do, you could be oppressing someone, whatever your "status".

[seabeyond]

16. i did it yesterday. it was brought to my attention. i acknowledged, confirmed

and thanked.

it really does not take much more than an awareness.

[kentauros]

25. Okay, thanks for the further explanation

[slackmaster]

18. I guess I should move to Europe and convert to Judaism

[hobbit709]

19. Below 50 but I don't consider some of those categories a privilege.

[MineralMan]

20. 155. I try to always remember that.

When I remember it, it is humbling.

[FSogol]

69. Woot, my score too. So why I am always broke?

[dairydog91]

74. The secret password is "Ziggy Zoggy, Ziggy Zoggy, I love cash"

Say it to any Ferrari and you'll be immediately connected to the Judeo-WASP-Tall-Hot Conspiracy. The Elder Plutocrats will be pleased to provide you with cash in an alligator suitcase.

[MineralMan]

88. If you find out, please let me know.

[el_bryanto]

21. I'm not entirely sure this scale is scientific

I see a few things I don't think are quite right.

Bryant

[Marrah_G]

22. My religion isn't listed

Wiccan.

I went with non-religious.

-40 total

[Uben]

23. Extremely priviledged......

... I get to take a bath in hot, clean water every day! I get to eat a good meal at least once a day. I know where I'll sleep tonight and I'll be secure. I have transportation to wherever I want to go. If I get sick, I will have medical care other than the ER.

Sure, all that stuff listed above may be qualifying, but if you have what I have, you are more priviledged than the majority of the people on this earth! Clean water is number one in my book, and enough food to survive is number two. A place to sleep is nice as well. My wish is that every American could enjoy these things and I vote for the ones who are most likely to strive for this goal. To me, that is voting "American".

How can people vote for anyone who wants to abandon our poor? Don't they realize the end game if this continues? That's my two cents worth....got change for a nickel?

[riderinthestorm]

41. +1. I felt the same way as you reading the categories and the weighting on these

Traveling in a third world country wakes a person up pretty damn fast about how "privileged" we are in the US on so many levels. I feel extraordinarily lucky.

I started taking the test and had to stop because it felt too... small. The "privileged" scale is so much bigger than these things - access to even a basic education, clean water like you said, food, shelter, health care, roads, safety etc etc.

Good post Uben. You put your finger on my own discomfort at the test.

[senseandsensibility]

47. And notice how many of the things you listed: basic education, clean water, health care, roads,

and safety are provided by the "evil" government. We pay taxes for them. Without the government, we would be like those third world countries in those areas. And that's what the repugs want us to go back to.

[antiquie]

42. Less than negative 100 but I am extremely privileged as well.

Thanks for the perspective.
I have water, food, housing, clothing, family.
The chart does not relate to me.

[kairos12]

113. I agree 100 percent on the clean water

The greatest health asset you can offer to a developing community is clean water.

You never forget about having clean water if you go without it for a while. It's a humbling experience.

[The2ndWheel]

24. 60

I got 70 right off the bat for being a straight white male. Also a poor atheist with no profession who would be doing this on a Saturday night. I have to balance out my straight white maleness at least a little bit. Can't be greedy. Have to spread the wealth.

[kimbutgar]

26. I got -65

But in my own world I feel privileged. I married to a wonderful man, own a house in SF and have a part time job that pays pretty well, my husband is in a union and he makes good wages with full benefits. And I have no major debt outside of my mortgage.

[ChazII]

31. Good for you.

I also own my house and have benefits. In our minds we do feel privileged.

[Xipe Totec]

27. Who quantified these, and on what basis?

How does one arrive at a quantification for homeless at -250, or Trans at -500?

Based on what?

[kwassa]

65. Like most Internet quizzes .... they just made this shit up.

People play along, but there is nothing behind these things, usually, except someone's personal opinion.

[dairydog91]

71. My guess? A short guy.

Check the height table. First of all, I highly doubt that a woman who is somewhat under average female height suffers any disfavorable effects that could be linked directly to her height. Actually, I recall reading studies of dating websites which indicate that shorter women are often considered more desirable than tall women. Not to mention, by the apparent logic of the height table, the advantages of being a white,straight American man with an "affluent" income are entirely cancelled out by the need to wear Tom Cruise Boots.

Also, I don't know why being Jewish is considered such a big advantage, while being Hindu is considered a major disadvantage. Going by national averages, Indian Americans have the highest median household income when you average American ethnic groups (And yes, I know that "Indian" is not a proxy for "Hindu", but I'm proceeding under the assumption that most American Hindus would be Indian).

[dawg]

95. Short is only -10.

That was my only negative.

[dairydog91]

96. "Manly Tears" and "Dodger" are below "Short"

Considering that they're on the height scale, they denote levels of height below mere "shortness."

[dawg]

100. I didn't take those choices seriously.

How short do you need to be in order to shed "manly tears"? I don't think I'm *that* short. I'm not sure anyone is.

[muriel_volestrangler]

155. Internet opinion is that 'manly tears' and 'dodger' are 4chan posters who are teased for being short

which gives a clue for the origin of this - some random bloke on the internet with his own prejudices.

[antiquie]

109. Shorter people earn less.

A 2004 study by psychologist Timothy A. Judge, Ph.D., of the University of Florida, and researcher Daniel M. Cable, Ph.D., of the University of North Carolina, found that every inch of height amounts to a salary increase of about $789 per year (the study controlled for gender, weight and age).

By this calculation, someone who is 6 feet tall earns $5,525 more annually than someone who is 5 feet, 6 inches. Over the course of a career, of course, those numbers can really add up.

"Perhaps when humans were in the early stages of organization, they used height as an index for power in making 'fight or flight' decisions," Judge told the "Monitor on Psychology," a publication of the American Psychological Association. "They ascribed leader-like qualities to tall people because they thought they would be better able to protect them. Evolutionary psychologists would argue that some of those old patterns still operate in our perceptions today."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/Careers/02/02/cb.tall.people/index.html

There are other studies with similar results.

[gollygee]

28. Why is Jewish +20 while Christian is +5 ?

What's the reasoning behind that?

Anyway, I got +65

[Egalitarian Thug]

35. I'm guessing that it assumes access to an affluent, exclusionary and insulated community.

Similar, though larger, to Mormonism.

[BainsBane]

66. that is strange

and smacks of a bit of anti-semitism to me.

[HiPointDem]

125. just a fact.

"Since the 1950s, (Jews') personal income and earnings have been consistently, substantially, higher than the income and earnings of the US population, of protestants and catholics specifically, and even of the most prosperous Christian denominations"

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:MN3O9mNkwHcJ:www.soc.washington.edu/users/burstein/Burstein_Jewish_Success_SP07.pdf+median+income+jewish+americans&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShaiZe9ZPC14ssBkN1gbIjqoKYP7zSZtHhBxupGpP6vBASwFPuVy77GEJaRMuafQ8_ouSL1ECgptIvbnO_D3tiiEfWdjE9xGFa7rPojDZjlWiMoy_Lh3QH6yfK1Wz4fOP1_kHdz&sig=AHIEtbS38_3_q-AAQ5n_ZQWQ1sttA7tryQ

[BainsBane]

137. It's a stereotype

Out of the Protocols of Zion. That quiz is not just about the US. It's global. How great to think it is to be a Jew in Lebanon or Egypt?

[HiPointDem]

140. About 6.5 million Jewish people live in the US. That's about half the world population.

Another 6 million live in Israel.

http://crownheights.info/jewish-news/40872/u-s-jewish-population-reaches-6-5-million/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/01/israel-jewish-population-six-million

That's about 80% of the Jewish population in the world.

In the US, jewish people occupy a privileged socio-economic position in regard to the population as a whole, and in regard to other religious groups.

That's a *fact*, not a protocol of Zion. It's my guess that *fact* is the reason for the extra privilege points.

Obviously not every Jew is privileged, just as not every Asian is privileged, nor every woman or black person is underprivileged; but apparently the test is run on *averages*.

You want to say the test is stupid -- go right ahead, I think so too.

But it's fairly clear why they awarded privilege points to Jews, being as 80% of them live in two very rich countries where they occupy a space of privilege -- socioeconomically in the US, and religiously in Israel (v. minorities in israel).

And that's all I have to say on that.

[BainsBane]

142. Now Israelis are privileged?

How do you figure that?

[HiPointDem]

143. same way americans are privileged in relation to say, africans. you said it was an international

quiz and you want to talk about jews in lebanon, but not israelis v. africans? Israel is a highly developed country. Most people that live in it are privileged in relation to a lot of the world, just as much as europeans, americans, australians, japanese, and the other national who got 'privilege points' on the test.

and now, you'll really have to excuse me.

[BainsBane]

147. Israel is 47th in the world

Last edited Sat Feb 23, 2013, 03:22 PM - Edit history (1)

It's not anywhere near the top 20. It is 4th in the Middle East. Qatar, Kuwaitt, and UAE all have higher standards of living.

There is already a selection for income and country. Your defense of the idea that Jews earn more globally is based entirely on stereotype. You can't even be bothered to fact check yourself.

[HiPointDem]

148. median household income in israel is 25th in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median_household_income

in the same range as italy, greece & czechoslovakia.

which is privileged v. africa, latin america, etc.

israel is a developed country, a rich (though highly unequal) country, much like the US.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median_household_income

and now i will put you on ignore, as you've twice shown me it's no use talking to you.

[BainsBane]

163. LOL

You've said that before. Can't talk to someone who might disagree with you on something. God forbid. Oh, I love it.

[dairydog91]

72. Because the use of Christian blood in their matzoh gives them superpowers.

/Sarc

[midwest irish]

151. Because the use of Christian blood.....

When I saw this it said you had a total of 666 posts. You couldnt write better satire.

[jberryhill]

79. Because the author apparently knows Jewish Bankers control everything

[slackmaster]

83. I can explain it with a story from the Soviet Union

It was a hard winter even by Russian standards.

As usual there was a long line outside of the tiny bakery, with hundreds of heavily bundled people shivering in the snow, patiently waiting for a chance to get a small loaf of bread.

The baker opened the door a crack, and shouted out "Bread is running low. All Jews must get out of line and go home." Several Jews left the line.

A while later, the baker opened the door again and shouted "Supplies are getting shorter. All who are not members of the Party must get out of line and go home." About half the remaining people left.

After what seemed like an eternity, the baker once again opened the door and called out "Bread is almost gone! All who are not Politburo members or senior military officers must get out of line and go home." All but a handful of men left the line.

Snow continued to fall. The desperate men stomped their feet in an effort to keep warm.

Finally the baker opened the door again and said in a sad voice "I'm sorry, all bread is gone. Everyone must go home now." He shut the door and bolted it.

A senior Politburo member turned to the others and said "Isn't it disgusting how the Jews always get preferential treatment?"

[HiPointDem]

123. maybe this:

Relative to the total U.S. population, Jews are more highly educated, have more prestigious jobs and earn higher household incomes.

More than half of all Jewish adults (55%) have received a college degree, and a quarter (25%) have earned a graduate degree. The comparable figures for the total U.S. population are 29% and 6%.

More than 60% of all employed Jews are in one of the three highest status job categories: professional/technical (41%), management and executive (13%), and business and finance (7%). In contrast, 46% of all Americans work in these three high status areas, including 29% in professional/technical jobs, 12% in management and executive positions, and 5% in business and finance.

The distribution of household income among Jews, especially at the high end of the income scale, reflects their relatively high education levels and high status jobs. More than one-third of Jewish households (34%) report income over $75,000, compared to 17% of all U.S. households. Proportionally fewer Jewish households (22%) than total U.S. households (28%) report household income under $25,000. The current median income of Jewish households is $54,000, 29% higher than the median U.S. household income of $42,000. In 1990, the median income of Jewish households was $39,000, 34% higher than the median income of $29,000 for all U.S. households.

http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=46193

"Since the 1950s, (Jews') personal income and earnings have been consistently, substantially, higher than the income and earnings of the US population, of protestants and catholics specifically, and even of the most prosperous Christian denominations"

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:MN3O9mNkwHcJ:www.soc.washington.edu/users/burstein/Burstein_Jewish_Success_SP07.pdf+median+income+jewish+americans&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShaiZe9ZPC14ssBkN1gbIjqoKYP7zSZtHhBxupGpP6vBASwFPuVy77GEJaRMuafQ8_ouSL1ECgptIvbnO_D3tiiEfWdjE9xGFa7rPojDZjlWiMoy_Lh3QH6yfK1Wz4fOP1_kHdz&sig=AHIEtbS38_3_q-AAQ5n_ZQWQ1sttA7tryQ

[redgreenandblue]

152. What do these numbers represent? How were they obtained? That is what I would like to know.

Did the people who made this chart simply pull them out of their butts, or do the number represent some form of statistical analysis? How was privilege measured?

The accusation that a plus for Jews over Christians is anti-semitism may be valid or not. It depends on whether it simply came out of a demographical analysis that treated various groups in an equal way or whether it was an ad-hoc assumption.

[ChazII]

29. +40

non-privileged

[Petrushka]

158. +40 here, too.

[bhikkhu]

30. 135. Sorry, but I've known that for as long time.

Though profession and income don't put me there, as I'm a mechanic making 29k a year, supporting a family of 4.

At least if one is privileged one should know it, I think, and the reasons why, and realize that it wasn't exactly anything I did personally that I deserve credit for, however society might be predisposed to treat me. Being nice to people and looking down at no one is a good perspective, and being thankful for what one has, and realizing that wealth (of any sort) without generosity is empty.

[CrispyQ]

92. A lovely post.

[Nye Bevan]

32. Nasty little morsel of anti-Semitism in there (nt)

[Mosby]

33. chart is stupid. -1

[siligut]

34. I've been thinking about becoming a fake Christian

But if I am going to fake it, I might as well go for Jewish

[supernova]

36. On the border of Disprivileged/Non-Priv

Mixed bag I guess.

I'm white, christian heritage, female. Things you think would provide privilege

OHOH, I'm short, older, out of work for a while now in a new career (one I had to start myself) and female and of fair health (health condition+overweight)

[RC]

37. For a "big tent", Liberal, kinda Left Leaning web site, there sure a lot of people here interested

in the pecking order of themselves and others. Why is that?

[senseandsensibility]

48. I don't think that's the tone of vast majority of the responses at all.

In fact, I haven't seen any that have that tone. There is an excellent response above from Mineral Man that explains what this chart is all about, and it is the opposite of what you describe.

[BainsBane]

58. It's a quiz

Who can pass up a quiz? It's like the quizzes in magazines.

[FSogol]

70. Aren't most people making fun of it?

A lot of people like to rip others on DU. Why is that?

[JaneyVee]

39. -5

[Rex]

40. Where did you find this chart?

Seems to be somewhat subjective.

[antiquie]

43. I found it here:

http://www.blameitonthevoices.com/2012/10/chart-how-privileged-are-you.html

[gollygee]

44. That one is slightly different

"If non religious and in the US -20"

Which brings me to +45.

Some of the specifics of the chart are silly - particularly Jewish being +20 and Christian being +5 - but the conversation will probably be worthwhile. Or a flame fest! We'll see where it goes.

[Rex]

45. That explains it, thanks.

Just for those that wonder about the critical things in life and from the same website;

[backscatter712]

46. I'm calling BS on the Religion section of the chart.

First, I can't say that being Jewish gets you more privilege than being Christian. That strikes me as a bit stereotypical.

Second (though I'm biased in this regard), being openly atheistic would be a penalty IMHO. Never mind, saw the &quot if in US, -20).

[WilliamPitt]

49. Jewish is +25? Being Jewish makes you more privileged in America than being Christian?

Smells fishy.

[Skittles]

52. that stood out for me too

yes INDEED

[steve2470]

53. me too

You should kick this person's ass who made this, Skittles

[gollygee]

54. I suspect it was written by a

"Persecuted Christian."

But I'm surprised "non religious" wasn't given +50 then.

Edit: I've changed my mind and decided it might have been written by someone pro-Palestine on the Israel/Palestine debate.

[treestar]

63. Yeah, there's a little hint it might be right wing parody

The ZOG! OMG!

[fizzgig]

67. that jumped out at me as well

i hear a dog whistle

[name not needed]

110. Yup.

Find a woman in an ultra-orthodox community and explain how she has it easier because she's Jewish.

[Sheldon Cooper]

50. +50.

[BainsBane]

55. -25

[irisblue]

57. I am very very privileged

I got food in my belly, coffee in my mug, indoor plumbing with safe clean running water, $20 in my wallet, the furnance is running in my house, my healthy senior dog is snoring at the other end of the couch, the cat is on my lap. I'm typing this on a laptop. Ms. Wonderful just called me to say hello on lunch break. I got everything. I know I got very very lucky in lifes' lottery. I also wanna make a pull a few thousand, millions up with me.

[BlueCheese]

59. This is apparently meant as a joke.

See various categories for Europe, for example (top, meh, low, sh-t). Likely of British origin, given the spelling of "institutionalised", and possibly placing France in the "meh" part of Europe. I'm curious why scientist gets a -15. Maybe it was made by scientists who regard themselves as unappreciated?

[Confusious]

112. It's meant as a paraody

Of the privilege Olympics and the social justice warriors (not meant as a compliment) on tumblr.

http://socialjusticefail.tumblr.com/

[treestar]

60. +25

What does CIS mean under Gender?

[gollygee]

61. CIS

is when your gender identity matches your biological gender at birth.

[treestar]

64. So I am now at +45

[muriel_volestrangler]

154. 'cis-' is the opposite of 'trans-' in Latin

It means 'the same side' as opposed to 'across'; The Romans talked about 'Cisalpine Gaul' and 'Transalpine Gaul' for the regions where the Gauls lived - the former now being northern Italy, and the latter France. It's also used to describe the geometry of molecules.

And so 'cisgender' is the opposite of 'transgender'.

The author isn't that familiar with the term, or they wouldn't have capitalised it all (it makes it look like the Commonwealth of Independent States, the successor to the USSR).

[ananda]

62. Plus 70 or thereabouts

I had to subtract for being female and a teacher.

[loyalsister]

73. - 105

But, I don't think that is accurate. I have family members who are about 245. I think that proximity changes my number. They don't support me financially, but I know I will never be homeless.

[BainsBane]

102. I don't believe it's accurate either

I'm -25, but I don't want for basic needs. That makes me better off that most of the world's population.

[loyalsister]

111. I think the scale is a US measure

The majority of Americans are privileged in comparison to other countries. The variables are totally different.

[Capt. Obvious]

75. I disagree with this paradigm

It doesn't account for the fact that I can't get good Thai food around here.

[Taverner]

76. Privliged. As I suspected.

IF you're alive on this Earth, you get a ticket to the freakshow. And if you are in the US, you have a front row seat.

[jberryhill]

78. Ah yes, the familiar "Jewish banker privilege"

That says a lot about the author of this thing.

[FreeState]

80. 0 - right in the middle:) n/t

[Duer 157099]

81. LOL, almost had me

I was playing along, albeit struggling to keep the math straight in my head, until I got to "Scientist -15" and I thought W.T.F. but then quickly realized that it was absolutely true, then went on to the Bonus question and lost all count. LOL

[LadyHawkAZ]

82. I got a -55 n/t

[snooper2]

84. This is pretty stupid...being religious is a privilege ROFL

I would say learning at a young age not to follow mythology is a privilege..



Also, I didn't know the Middle East was a country

I guess that's why the person who dreamed this up left intelligence off the list

[Burma Jones]

85. 180

And I'm aware of my good fortune........Because everything except Profession and Status is completely out of my hands, and Profession and Status have greatly benefited from my being a White Male US Citizen of Northern European Extraction

I could lose about 50 pounds though........

Yeah, I'm lucky.....

[CrispyQ]

90. I am one of the most privileged human beings among all humans that have ever lived.

Taking public transportation over the past 3 years has made that apparent to me. On any given bus trip, I am 99.9% certain that I am the most fortunate person on the bus. It's humbling. It's also why I seethe at the greed of the rich & shameless. They need more houses, more cars, more stuff, while the less fortunate go without basics.

Government should provide for all citizens, imo & it should include the following:

Three hots & a cot
Health care
Education
Child & elderly care


"In a just society, there is no limit to how high one can climb, but there is a limit to how far one can fall."

~Jared Bernstein, author of "All Together Now: Common Sense for a Fair Economy"

No one gets to have two houses, while someone is without. We don't get to claim the name humanity if we are not going to behave humanely.


on edit: My score was 95.

[BainsBane]

104. I don't believe you really can know a city

unless you take public transportation. I just got a car after busing it for years. It is far more convenient and saves me a lot of time, but I see far less of the world around me.

[CrispyQ]

162. People in cars feel isolated & in their own world.

Years ago a local paper featured a story by a fellow citizen who spent hours standing on various street corners observing drivers in their cars. He came to the conclusion that even though car windows are transparent, the people in the car were so isolated that many forget they were in full view. The number one anti-social activity that he witnessed? People picking their noses. ~lol. He saw some other amazing things as well, including a woman who changed blouses during the traffic light & a man who slapped his passenger, a young kid, across the face.

I love the bus! No more rude, thoughtless drivers to deal with.

[bamacrat]

97. 150.....n/t

[stevenleser]

101. I've tried to do something similar in the past. There are a couple of problems with this.

First, the Jewish over Christian privilege. Its not correct. I'm guessing that person is trying to suggest that being Jewish puts you in some kind of club with benefits. That is borderline anti-semetic at the very least and is definitely not true. I would put that at Christian +25 and Jewish at 0.

Second, I think being gay and being a woman are much closer to each other re: hits on privilege than this seems to suggest. Being gay is not triple the hit on privilege that being a woman is. I would probably have them both at around -250.

Third, the wealth scale is off. Plutocrat would be around +2,500 and Rich would be around +1,250

Fourth, attractiveness is off. 9+/10 should be around +100

Again, it is all IMHO

[gollygee]

105. I agree with some of what you've said

I think being gay is probably lower on the privilege scale than being a woman - or would be more of a hit or whatever. Also, I think they underplay how difficult being intersexed would be.

I think whoever made it was making a joke more than being serious, and the specifics are off, particularly in the Jewish number. Crazy.

I'm glad to see an illustration of the concept even if the specific numbers are stupid. Just because someone has male privilege doesn't mean they have other privileges - which is I think why some men here have disagreed with the idea of privilege overall. They recognize they lack other privileges and don't understand how the word "privileged" could be used for them. And I agree that while I don't have male privilege, I am generally pretty privileged, which is also explained here.

[Historic NY]

106. Status.....

middle 40-65
65-100 doesn't count for shit...... your still a zero.
affluent 100-250

[elleng]

108. 'Privileged,' even tho 'lawyer' not included, but no option for 'retired!'

[MyshkinCommaPrince]

115. Umm. 45.

Seems about right, I guess.

Google search on the graphic title pulls up some interesting things. The chart is currently making the rounds. Conservative Underground seems to have linked to this thread.

http://www.conservativeunderground.com/forum505/showthread.php?54928-How-Privileged-Are-You

Second edit. The whole thing does seem a bit dodgy. Level of education isn't considered? Atheism is presented as neutral? Autism can be a more significant disadvantage than the chart would allow, too. I also agree with some of the other remarks, above, about the questionable nature of some of the scores and categories. Somewhat dodgy, the whole thing, but an interesting exercise.

[MrScorpio]

116. Minus 25

Yes, I know it

[DeschutesRiver]

117. "Retarded"? Heard that word choice loud and clear, so I disregard any other message in this.

There are also alternative word choices that could have been used to describe many other "types" on this privilege scorecard, which are just as derogatory. But the only one used was "retarded".

I didn't see a source on this - who put this scorecard together? Some people don't even try to think before they express themselves anymore. Maybe the source on this is so privileged themselves that they don't know that the use of the word "retarded" is offensive.

[gollygee]

118. I suspect

whoever made this is making fun of the concept of privilege and might have done that on purpose.

The discussion of privilege is worthwhile, and the illustration that someone can have privilege in one area and lack it in others is worthwhile, but this particular chart isn't worthwhile.

[DeschutesRiver]

120. Well, wish they hadn't, as I agree completely that an exercise of this nature is invaluable

to someone who has never thought twice about such a thing.

Or even to me, who might not have fully considered all the pros/cons of being who I am.

[Starry Messenger]

122. Bingo.

Although taking points off for being a teacher shot rather close to home.

[Warpy]

135. Then you'd better stop going to doctors when you get sick

since it's standard medical terminology.

In fact, if you delete everybody who uses the word to describe people on the left slope of the bell curve who are slow learners, you are going to be very isolated.

The word is in insult when middle schoolers and those who haven't progressed emotionally since that age fling it at each other. It is not an insult in standard usage as a descriptor.

[DeschutesRiver]

164. Actually, not at all but maybe in your world?

I don't know a single person who would chose the word "retarded" over the other available choices in a social context.

In polite company, I haven't found a single person who uses the word retarded. That isn't even at issue. This chart isn't trying to achieve medical standard accuracy by using the term "retarded", as is evidenced by other terms it did use which also have more precise definitional terms that could have been used, had it been trying to be consistent. Instead, retarded pretty much stands out in this regard as well, so the intent is even more clear now.

I do know doctors who wouldn't use the word "retarded" in this kind of example (where it isn't necessary as a descriptor and esp. where other terms are chosen more carefully), nor would they make a joke using it, nor would they use it in social situations, as it was used in this chart. Since that is a fact, I am not certain why I'd need to stop using doctors when I am sick, unless I went in with some developmental disability that needed addressing, and in that context, then why would it be inappropriate to use a standard term? I think I see where I might not have been clear, so let me state what I thought was obvious, ie context isn't irrelevant.

There are a ton of words that are used in an insulting way, that have an origin or use that isn't insulting. I disagree that this insulting behavior isn't limited either to young kids or emotionally disabled adults as you stated - your response post is an example of flinging an insult where you could have chosen to just respond with your own take on this, minus the snark, which is a valid point, but one I find is not taking context into consideration.

[Warpy]

165. I checked to see if I'd wasted any snark in my post

and I hadn't. Strike one.

Word jumping to the point that you've missed the point. Strike two.

Clinging to the feigned outrage over being told the truth about something. Strike three.

Bye.

[smirkymonkey]

119. My score ranks me as priveleged, but I got a major ding for being female.

Also, being non-religious, not having a profession that is listed, and having a middle income gave me "0"s.

[DearHeart]

121. Wow! I got a -5!

When I think of it, it's pretty true.

[Samjm]

126. I'm negative no matter what

If I count my country of origin, I'm hundreds in the negative. If I count that I'm now in the US, I'm only around -50.

[babylonsister]

127. This is so dumb it's funny, sort of. Yea, I'm not in the green. :) nt

[grasswire]

128. I wonder why AGE isn't included as a discriminator

Since it seems that the young and the old both are having trouble finding work, it seems that age might be an important factor in privilege.

[Generic Brad]

129. 125

But I don't feel privileged.

[Raine]

130. Pretty privileged the big hit was being female but even that has it's privileges. Anyway I've

always known I had more privileges by beening white etc than what others have.

[FreeJoe]

131. Status Gaps

If you make between 30K and 45K, between 65K and 100K, or between 250K and 1M per year, you don't map to a status value. It also looks like it has "Plutocrat" at one trillion in net worth, so it is mixing income and net worth and using a net worth category over 10 times higher than the wealth that anyone one has accumulated so far.

Maybe I'm just whining because I'm an ever so privileged white, male, straight, CIS, Affluent+, able-bodied technologist from the United States.

[REP]

132. Me: -10 Husband: 130!

[Nevernose]

136. This is a bunch of BS, however

As the meme says, as a heterosexual white male, I'm already on third base. If my parents hadn't had the temerity and discourtesy of being middle class (I.e., had I been born wealthy), I would've been a home run.

Any other reasonably healthy, hetero, Anglo males out there who don't think they've got more privilege than most others are either horribly ignorant or in severe denial.

[Apophis]

138. 70

[cherokeeprogressive]

139. Idiocy from the word go, and apropos of nothing.

My maternal Grandfather (may The Great Spirit Rest His Soul) was born-on-the-Res Cherokee. My Maternal Grandmother was white-as-the-driven-snow German.

Points?

[CheapShotArtist]

149. Wait. Why was "Latino" included in the race section?

I thought it is just an ethnicity. It's not listed as a race on the U.S. Census.
BTW my score is -75.

[stevenleser]

161. The current suggestion is that there are no races, only ethnicities.

I think the author of the chart didnt get the memo.

[sakabatou]

150. 90, but this is soooooo full of shit.

[Warren DeMontague]

153. Sorry, I'm going to need extra points for attractiveness.

Not to toot my own horn, or nothin', but I'm off the chart.

[LWolf]

156. Non-privileged. nt

[Silent3]

159. If you get to the end and have 50+, add another 100...

...for the privilege of being privileged.

[Peter cotton]

160. Being a scientist is woth -15 points?

It's such a burden to be an astronomer these days...