The Privilege Checklist: Unveiling Hidden Advantages in Everyday Life

Defining Privilege in Modern Society

The term privilege refers to unearned benefits conferred by society based on one’s identity. Unlike merit-based achievements, these advantages stem from systemic norms that favor certain groups. Jen Lewis’s BuzzFeed piece, which gained traction for its accessibility, transforms abstract ideas into tangible self-reflection. It begins with a simple directive: “Check off all the statements that apply to you.” This approach democratizes the conversation, making it relatable for readers at various educational levels.

Scholars trace the formal study of privilege to works like Peggy McIntosh’s 1989 essay “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” which listed everyday advantages white individuals often overlook. Lewis’s adaptation expands this to encompass multiple intersections, encouraging a holistic view. In today’s context, with movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo amplifying marginalized voices, such tools remain vital. They prompt users to consider how unchecked privileges perpetuate disparities, from wage gaps to access to justice.

For instance, data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that in 2024, the median household income for white families stood at US$78,000 (approximately €70,000), compared to US$52,000 (€47,000) for Black families—a 33% difference underscoring economic divides. This checklist doesn’t quantify privilege but illuminates its qualitative layers, urging personal accountability.

Navigating Racial and Ethnic Privileges

One of the checklist’s core sections addresses race and ethnicity, revealing how skin color influences daily interactions. Statements like “I am white” or “I have never been discriminated against because of my skin color” highlight the absence of barriers many face. Those who can affirm “I have never been the only person of my race in a room” experience a comfort that fosters belonging, free from isolation or tokenism.

Further items probe deeper: “I have never been mocked for my accent” or “I have never been told I am attractive ‘for my race.'” These underscore microaggressions that erode self-esteem. “I have never been a victim of violence because of my race” and “I have never been called a racial slur” point to safety privileges, while “I have never been told I ‘sound white'” challenges assumptions about cultural assimilation. Even seemingly innocuous encounters, such as “A stranger has never asked to touch my hair, or asked if it is real,” expose objectification often directed at non-white individuals.

In urban centers like New York, where diversity thrives, these privileges manifest in subtle ways. A 2023 report by the Pew Research Center found that 45% of Black Americans reported experiencing racial discrimination in the past year, compared to just 18% of white Americans. By reflecting on these statements, users confront how racial privilege operates invisibly, shielding some from scrutiny while burdening others. This awareness can drive allyship, such as supporting policies for equitable representation in workplaces.

Examining Sexuality and Orientation

Shifting focus, the checklist delves into privileges tied to sexual orientation. Affirmations like “I am heterosexual” or “I have never lied about my sexuality” reveal the ease of navigating a heteronormative society. “I never had to ‘come out'” spares individuals the vulnerability of disclosure, and “I never doubted my parents’ acceptance of my sexuality” underscores familial support often assumed.

Derogatory experiences are absent for the privileged: “I have never been called ‘fag,'” “I have never been called ‘dyke,'” or “I have never been called a ‘fairy,’ or any other derogatory slur for homosexuals.” Comfort in expression follows, with “I have never tried to hide my sexuality,” “I am always comfortable with P.D.A. with my partner in public,” and “I have never pretended to be ‘just friends’ with my significant other.”

Religious and societal acceptance further compounds this: “I have never been ostracized by my religion for my sexual orientation,” “I have never been told I would ‘burn in hell’ for my sexual orientation,” or “I have never been told that my sexuality is ‘just a phase.'” Safety is paramount in “I have never been violently threatened because of my sexuality.”

According to a 2024 Gallup poll, 7.2% of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ+, yet 28% report workplace discrimination. This disparity illustrates how heterosexual privilege enables seamless integration, free from fear. The checklist encourages empathy, prompting users to advocate for inclusive environments.

Gender Identity and Safety

Gender-related privileges form another pillar, starting with “I am a man” or “I feel comfortable in the gender I was born as.” Continuity in identity—”I still identify as the gender I was born in” and “I have never tried to change my gender”—avoids the challenges of transition. Opportunities remain unobstructed: “I have never been denied an opportunity because of my gender.”

Economic edges appear in “I make more money than my professional counterparts of a different gender,” reflecting the persistent pay gap—women earn 82% of men’s wages per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2024. Safety privileges include “I have never felt unsafe because of my gender,” “I have never been catcalled,” “I have never been sexually harassed or assaulted,” and “I have never been raped.”

In global contexts, these issues intensify; the World Health Organization reports that 1 in 3 women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence. By checking these, individuals recognize how gender privilege insulates some from pervasive threats, fostering dialogue on equity.

Socioeconomic Status and Opportunities

Class privileges dominate a substantial portion, encompassing financial security and access. “I work in a salaried job” or “My family and I have never lived below the poverty line” denote stability. Debt-free living shines in “I don’t have any student loans,” while basic needs are met: “I have never gone to bed hungry” and “I have never been homeless.”

Parental support extends advantages: “My parents pay some of my bills” or “My parents pay all of my bills.” Mobility is effortless—”I don’t rely on public transportation”—and consumerism routine: “I buy new clothes at least once a month.” Financial literacy gaps appear in “I have never done my taxes myself,” and worry-free existence in “I have never felt poor,” “I have never had to worry about making rent,” or “I’ve never skipped a meal to save money.”

Labor history reveals “I have never worked as a waiter, barista, bartender, or salesperson,” while internships signal networks: “I have had an unpaid internship” or “I have had multiple unpaid internships.” Education privileges include “I went to summer camp,” “I went to private school,” “I graduated high school,” “I went to an elite college,” “I graduated college,” and “My parents paid (at least some of) my tuition.”

Lifestyle markers abound: “I had a car in high school,” “I’ve never had a roommate,” “I’ve always had cable,” “I have traveled internationally,” “I travel internationally at least once a year,” “I studied abroad,” “I spent Spring Breaks abroad,” and “I have frequent flier miles.” Ignorance of systems like “I don’t know what ‘Sallie Mae’ is” highlights insulation from debt burdens.

A 2024 Federal Reserve survey notes 40% of Americans couldn’t cover a US$400 (€360) emergency, contrasting sharply with these privileges. This section underscores how class shapes trajectories, often invisibly.

Health, Ability, and Mental Well-Being

Privileges in health and ability are addressed through “I do not have any physical disabilities,” “I do not have any social disabilities,” or “I do not have any learning disabilities.” Mental health follows: “I have never had an eating disorder,” “I have never been depressed,” “I have never considered suicide,” “I have never attempted suicide,” and “I have never taken medication for my mental health.” Access is key: “I can afford medication if/when I need it” and “I can afford a therapist.”

Body image privileges include “I have never been told I’m overweight or ‘too skinny,'” “I have never felt overweight or underweight or ‘too skinny,'” “I have never been shamed for my body type,” and “I consider myself to be physically attractive.” Substance use appears in “I’ve used prescription drugs recreationally” without consequence, and “I have never had an addiction.”

The National Institute of Mental Health reports 21% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2023, with barriers to care exacerbating inequities. These statements reveal how able-bodied and mentally resilient privileges enable fuller participation.

Religious Beliefs and Security

Religious privileges encompass “I have never been shamed for my religious beliefs,” “I have never been violently threatened for my religious beliefs,” or “I have never been violently attacked for my religious beliefs.” Accessibility is noted in “There is a place of worship for my religion in my town,” and accommodation in “All my jobs have been accommodating of my religious practices.”

Self-protection items include “I have never lied about my ethnicity as self-defense” or “I have never lied about my religion as self-defense.” Security extends to “I am not nervous in airport security lines,” “I have never heard this statement: ‘You have been randomly selected for secondary passport control,'” and “I have never been called a terrorist.” Proselytizing is absent: “Nobody has ever tried to ‘save’ me for my religious beliefs.”

In a post-9/11 world, Muslim Americans face heightened scrutiny, per a 2024 ACLU report. These privileges highlight freedom from persecution.

Broader Identities and Self-Reflection

Familial structures contribute: “My parents are heterosexual,” “My parents are both alive,” and “My parents are still married.” Broader experiences include “I have never been cyber-bullied for any of my identities,” “I was not bullied as a child for any of my identities,” “I have never tried to distance myself from any of my identities,” “I have never been self-conscious about any of my identities,” and “I have never questioned any of my identities.”

The capstone: “I feel privileged because of the identities I was born with.” This encapsulates the checklist’s purpose—acknowledging advantages to build a more equitable society.

In conclusion, Lewis’s tool transcends a mere quiz; it catalyzes introspection. As inequalities persist, embracing this reflection can inspire action, from policy advocacy to personal growth.

Let’s get right into it. Time to find out how privileged you are.

Jen Lewis wrote on BuzzFeed:

• Check off all the statements that apply to you.

__ I have never been discriminated against because of my skin color.

__ I have never been the only person of my race in a room.

__ I have never been mocked for my accent.

__ I have never been to I am attractive “for my race.”

__ I have never been a victim of violence because of my race.

__ I have never been called a racial slur.

__ I have never been to “sound white.”

__ A stranger has never asked to touch my hair, or asked if it is real.

__ I am heterosexual.

__ I have never lied about my sexuality I have never lied about my sexuality.

__ I never had to “come out.”

__ I never doubted my parents’ acceptance of my sexuality.

__ I have never been called “fag” or “dyke.”

__ I have never been called a “fairy,” or any other derogatory slur for homosexuals.

__ I have never tried to hide my sexuality.

__ I am always comfortable with P.D.A. with my partner in public.

__ I have never pretended to be “just friends” with my significant other.

__ I have never been ostracized by my religion for my sexual orientation.

__ I have never been told I would “burn in hell” for my sexual orientation.

__ I have never been told that my sexuality is “just a phase.”

__ I have never been violently threatened because of my sexuality.

__ I am a man.

__ I feel comfortable in the gender I was born as.

__ I still identify as the gender I was born in.

__ I have never tried to change my gender.

__ I have never been denied an opportunity because of my gender.

__ I make more money than my professional counterparts of a different gender.

__ I have never felt unsafe because of my gender.

__ I have never been catcalled.

__ I have never been sexually harassed or assaulted.

__ I have never been raped.

__ I work in a salaried job.

__ My family and I have never lived below the poverty line.

__ I don’t have any student loans.

__ I have never gone to bed hungry.

__ I have never been homeless.

__ My parents pay some, or all, of my bills.

__ I don’t rely on public transportation.

__ I buy new clothes at least once a month.

__ I have never done my taxes myself.

__ I have never felt poor.

__ I have never had to worry about making rent.

__ I have never worked as a waiter, barista, bartender, or salesperson.

__ I have had an unpaid internship.

__ I have had multiple unpaid internships.

__ I went to summer camp.

__ I went to private school.

__ I went to private school.

__ I graduated high school.

__ I went to an elite college.

__ I graduated college.

__ My parents paid (at least some of) my tuition.

__ I had a car in high school.

__ I’ve never had a roommate.

__ I’ve always had cable.

__ I have traveled internationally.

__ I travel internationally at least once a year.

__ I studied abroad.

__ I’ve never skipped a meal to save money.

__ I don’t know what “Sallie Mae” is.

__ I spent Spring Breaks abroad.

__ I have frequent flier miles.

__ My parents are heterosexual.

__ My parents are both alive.

__ My parents are still married.

__ I do not have any physical disabilities.

__ I do not have any social disabilities.

__ I do not have any learning disabilities.

__ I have never had an eating disorder.

__ I have never been depressed.

__ I have never considered suicide.

__ I have never attempted suicide.

__ I have never taken medication for my mental health.

__ I can afford medication if/when I need it.

__ I have never been I’m overweight or “too skinny.”

__ I have never felt overweight or underweight or “too skinny.”

__ I have never been shamed for my body type.

__ I consider myself to be physically attractive.

__ I can afford a therapist.

__ I’ve used prescription drugs recreationally.

__ I have never had an addiction.

__ I have never been shamed for my religious beliefs.

__ I have never been violently threatened for my religious beliefs.

__ I have never been violently attacked for my religious beliefs.

__ There is a place of worship for my religion in my own way.

__ I have never lied about my ethnicity as self-defense.

__ I have never lied about my religion as self-defense.

__ All my jobs have been accommodating of my religious practices.

__ I am not nervous in airport security lines.

__ I have never heard this statement: “You have been randomly selected for secondary passport control.”

__ I have never been called a terrorist.

__ Nobody has ever tried to “save” me for my religious beliefs.

__ I have never been cyber-bullied for any of my identities.

__ I was not bullied as a child for any of my identities.

__ I have never tried to distance myself from any of my identities.

__ I have never been self-conscious about any of my identities.

__ I feel privileged because of the identities I was born with.

HOW DO YOU SCORE?