There’s a place where privilege reigns supreme, where some suffer while others royally rule. It’s a realm of radical difference, a dimension of dreadful disparity.
The pernicious Prince-and-Pauper paradigm at the Home Depot is a good place to start looking into inequity’s ugly face.
I’m speaking of the store’s staff, to be clear.
You’ve no doubt noticed it — while on the prowl for the perfect piece of PVC pipe or a sexy pirate yard ornament, you couldn’t help but observe the vast array of social ladder rungs represented by the viceroys and victims in orange aprons.
Thankfully, the home improvement chain recently attempted to reshuffle society’s deck.
Account on Twitter Libs of Tik Tok posted a Home Depot employee worksheet called “Unpacking Privilege.”
The “P” word is defined thusly: “a special benefit or advantage that may be earned or unearned.”
Speaking of not being earned, the handout states, “A person may or may not be aware that they are benefitting from privilege.”
Those leading do-it-yourselfers to a two-pound bag of bat guano — or an econo-size container of coyote urine — should be versed in two types of privilege:
Social Privilege
Special, unearned advantage or entitlement, used to one’s own benefit or to the detriment of others. This group can have an advantage based upon social class and age.
White Privilege
Societal privileges which benefit white people above what people of color experience in similar social, political, and economic situations.
These are the looks of privilege:
- You have the privilege of class privilege if college was a reality for you as a child and not something you hoped to do.
- You have a Christian privilege if you are able to take time off work for religious holidays.
- You have the cisgender privilege to use public restrooms without fear, anxiety or stares.
- If you don’t have to worry about how to get into a store, you have able-bodied privilege.
- If you don’t have to explain that your spouse is of the same gender, you have heterosexual privilege.
Last, but certainly not the least:
- If you’re confident that the police exist to protect you, you have white privilege.
Staffers can use a checklist to help them fully understand their situation. “If you don’t have to think about it,” the sheet says, “it’s a privilege.”
Check Your Privilege
- Weiß
- Male
- Classes
- Christian
- Cisgender
- Able-Bodied
- Heterosexual
We’re living in an interesting time. I’d guess this is history’s first era in which institutional entities have striven to assure each individual they’re a loser — as either an oppressor undeserving of success or a victim incapable of it.
Speaking of suffering, Home Depot defines racism as “Racial Prejudice + Power.”
And if you’re white, you’re uncomfortable:
Why It’s Uncomfortable to Talk About White Privilege
The word “white” creates discomfort, especially when individuals are not used to being defined or described by their race.
“When you feel unformattable talking about White Privilege,” engage in self-interrogation:
- Is this how the lens changes my perception of racial dynamics
- My unease can help me to see the assumptions that I made.
- Is it possible that because I am white, there are some racial dynamics that I can’t see?
- Are you open to the idea?
- If I’m not willing to do so, then why not?
There’s more. The following is an image reportedly taken from Calgary’s Home Depot. pic.twitter.com/CUBh9INLep
— Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) March 23, 2022
How could a company make low-wage employees sell lawn fertilizer or dog perfume to feel better?
Home Depot responded on Wednesday to the New York Post.
A spokeswoman from Home Depot’s US headquarters confirmed to The Post that the white privilege notice was material from its Canadian division. She said it hadn’t been approved by the company’s diversity and inclusion department. It featured a Home Depot logo on the front.
Given the fact that this company has a Diversity and Inclusion department, could similar information be released nationwide? This remains to remain to be seen.
In the meantime, I’m glad to have been proven right: On Monday, I was in Beverly Hills. As I passed immaculately maintained yards, Buckingham-worthy walls, private-security gate gates and multi-chimneyed homes, I was struck by the beautiful privilege-poisoning streets.
And I made an audacious assumption, which I’m glad to now see confirmed — those entitled aristocrats likely work at the Home Depot.
-ALEX
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