Taking Action
We can’t get rid of our privileges on our own, but we can become more aware of them and work to change the systems that privilege some groups and disadvantage others. Here are some ways that we can reduce the impact of privilege in media:
- Increase your awareness of privilege. See if you can identify it while watching television, listening to the news, playing video games, etc. What groups are under-represented? What groups are misrepresented? What groups appear in media but don’t make media?
- Don’t be silent about privilege. Write a letter, post a comment, get into a discussion or create dialogue and criticism in some way to comment on instances of privilege in the media.
- If you benefit from privilege of any kind, you will someday be addressed about it. Don’t deny your privilege when it is pointed out to you and take that opportunity to learn something new about privilege.
- Privilege will never go away until the systems in our society that cause discrimination go away. In your own daily life, work to make those systems visible and call them into question when you can.