General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: If you are the member of a privileged group AND call yourself progressive [View all]iemitsu
(3,888 posts)in society is higher on the social ladder or not.
Everyone sees the world through their own eyes and their own experiences. The OP is asking that those, whose lives are less of a struggle than other's, be sympathetic to the concerns of those who struggle.
Americans have been conditioned to blame victims for their own victimization: ie. rape victims got raped because they wore short skirts, poor people are poor because they made bad choices or are lazy, etc.
Its a familiar line and it is used to justify doing nothing to rectify real injustice, including even recognizing that injustice occurred.
The OP is right about one thing, those who defend belittling others, whose lives are more difficult than their own, look bad doing it. They parrot Ronald Reagan in their belief that enough has been done to equalize conditions in America so that all people have equal opportunity. This is justification for not wanting to or not having the will to help the less fortunate.
Those, whose lives go well and those with a bit extra, ought to extend a hand to help the less fortunate, not dismiss their concerns as immaterial. The nobility do have an obligation to care for those, whose labor supports the luxury that surrounds the rich.