How to Recognize Privilege — and Uplift Those Without It | Mariam Veiszadeh | TED

Depending on your lot in life, you may see the status quo as a result of unearned privilege or a simple reflection of merit. Backed by statistics and personal stories, lawyer Mariam Veiszadeh offers a much-needed perspective check on the quasi-equality touted in business today, calling for real change in workplace diversity and inclusion that routs out biases rather than replicating them.

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[TNothingFree]

I understand the idea of "Privilege" however blaming society groups for the unfortunate is very cumbersome and not a solution whatsoever.
In the contrary - many "Privilege" groups are actively trying to raise the bar with volunteering and donations.
She didn't say it but her images just imply "AH yeah it's white male who are privileged".

Kudos to TED who didn't disable comments on this video - I fully expected them to be.

[gnostic]

Privilege is rich people who have inherited millions without working a single day.not skin color. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself be an example. I'm a minority. It's embarrassing to listen to the "poor me" narratives ad nauseum

[jawi]

She implies that she is a victim. That society needs to change to give her a chance. She is already a lawyer. She said nothing about what she has done. Is she donating 1/2 her money to those less fortunate? It is easy to say “you” have to do something but do nothing yourself.

[Zerobob]

The world is an unfair place for a lot of people, regardless of race and gender.

... But if you do want to focus on race and gender... The majority of the UK and Australian population are white, so statistically, I'd expect the majority of public faces to also be white.

It's also illegal to pay men and women differently for the same work, as per the Equal Pay Act.

It's also very telling that she labels anyone who disagrees with her as a "troll" in order to discredit them and shut down any discourse on her extremely blinkered viewpoint.

[johnnyjones]

"Free people make free choices. Free choices mean you get unequal outcomes.

You can have freedom, or you can have equal outcomes. You can’t have both."

[kkardi]

If you live in north America regardless of skin colour. You're super privileged.

[davebushmediadesign]

Artificially tipping the scales to create a balance is not the answer. Inclusion by exclusion is profoundly (and ironically) damaging to everyone involved.

[TNothingFree]

Yes Racism and Bias exists in human nature - it's unavoidable.
But if you build your whole argument around "Oh it's white male who are wrong" then it's no use.
There are plenty of "White men" who like to share and aren't biased - fight the individuals who are racist, not the group.
It's not like white men have a secret Telegram group where they coordinate their "bias". Jee.

[theApeShow]

Teach the people to focus on race and change their behavior because of that observation. Got it.

[Izael]

So, I clicked on this video with an open mind... however, Question 3 is a bogus question. "At some point in your life you felt that you were one of the few, or only persons, of your gender, race, faith, sexual orientation, or disability in a room in an educational or professional setting?" If we, as a society, allow a spectrum of infinite genders, then is it not entirely possible for someone of a certain gender to indeed be the only person of that specific gender? Moreover, as more and more classifications of sexual orientation 'come out, ' is it not entirely possible to have fewer people of that sexual orientation? Furthermore, people with disabilities may very well be the only person in a room in an educational or professional environment with their affliction. How many disabled athletes are there in professional sports? When are we going to advocate that professional sports leagues be more inclusive of those with a desire to play, but have a disability? When shall we advocate for people with disabilities to be allowed to train for missions in space?

Regarding the illustration at the 5:00 mark, how do you classify those people who have additional obstacles in life... but those obstacles were put in their life as a consequence of their own choices? I know you want to focus on race, as evidenced by the caricatures in the illustration... but if we compare two people: Person 1 was someone who studied hard in public school, focused on working/earning an income and self-betterment, whereas Person 2 was someone who didn't care so much for school, partied, and otherwise neglected some of their responsibilities. If you fast forward both lives, there is a higher likelihood that Person 1 will become more successful because they had fewer obstacles in life... because they PREVENTED those obstacles from getting in the way in the first place.

Discussing privilege is a tricky and slippery slope. It becomes very easy to villify certain demographics of people because of their perceived "privileges." Eventually, there may stem a bias against demographics of people because of their perceived "privileged."

You say you don't want companies to "check box" for diversity in hires. Okay. How do you propose we accomplish this? I propose that potential employees submit their work applications and resumes without their names or ethnicity listed, and allow a company to hire that person based solely off of their achievements and accomplishments. Beyond letters of recommendation, that would yield the desired result, or would at least step closer towards achieving the desired result of hiring based on merit, correct?

[janningc]

I always wondered why applying to jobs under my married name got me so many more responses than applying to jobs under my maiden name. Now I know I'm not alone.

[Rippone]

As a white man, born in a Western country, from middle class parents, I do recognise that I am having an easier life than most. I see that other friends I grew up with, of different gender and/or ethnic background, they have faced barriers I never faced. Privilege exists, and this needs to change.

[jawi]

Maybe those people at the top worked to get there and has nothing to do with bias? Maybe they were born rich or had the right genes. Too many assumptions in this talk.

[wesleymarshall]

"I dont mean to make anyone uncomfortable, but compare yourselves to the strangers around you and reflect on how they had it better than you." What a wonderful, constructive message. I noticed that she didn't really explain the diversity dividend besides showing the numbers and quoting a single study she didn't mention by name in the corner of the screen.

[joaoclira]

Every time I see a happy family where people love and support each other, I think: “That’s a privilege.” The rest is BS. Didn’t bother to see the video.

[thomaswilliams]

Veteran here. I fought for your right to work and make your own happiness, no matter your race, gender, whatever...

[funnytv-]

Everything you want is within you, the strength, the patience and the courage to change your life. You just have to look within and find it....

[cinnamonwisdom]

In her own words, "Those who have the most amounts of privilege, they probably not entirely conscious of it".
The irony is that she is one of them.

[xxtoy.foxy_queenz]

The whole American government is privileged

[NupeAtl]

When you need to be taught the obvious, you're in trouble if you don't learn it.