Privilege, Oppression and the Matrix of Domination

Privilege, Oppression and the Matrix of Domination

1. PRIVILEGE

   • Privilege exists "when one group has something of value that is denied to others" because of the groups or social categories they belong to
     • TWO TYPES OF PRIVILEGE
       • Unearned Advantages
         • The restriction of unearned entitlements to dominant groups
           • Gives them the "critical edge"
         • Food, water, clothes and opportunities
         • Unearned entitlements: things all people should have
       • Conferred Dominance
         • Gives permission to control
         • Whites represent 82 percent of Congress
         • Gives power to people who did not earn it
   • OPPRESSION
     • A relationship in which the dominant group benefits from the systematic abuse, exploitation and injustice directed at a subordinate group
     • Results from the societal relations between social categories
     • Systematic
   • Privilege and oppression are CONNECTED
     • One form of privilege can defend or reinforce another
     • Access to one form of privilege can affect access to others
     • One form of privilege can serve as compensation for not having access to another
     • Privilege and oppression cannot exist without one another

2. THE MATRIX OF DOMINATION

   • The construction of difference is NOT RANDOM
   • Each category unique
     • However, each category is constructed through similar processes
   • INTERSECTIONALITY
     • Refers to the interrelatedness of systems of privilege and oppression
     • The simultaneous influence of race, social class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, age, nation (etc.) on LIFE EXPECTATIONS and LIFE CHANCES
     • "Intersecting Inequalities" and "Intersection of race and class"
   • MATRIX Framework
     • Illustrates that most people experience BOTH privilege AND oppression
     • Discouraging additive analyses of oppressive systems that pit one oppressed group against another
     • Because all forms of oppression have the same source, members of oppressed groups would benefit from working together to restructure society in ways that lead to greater equality for ALL groups

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