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Privilege is special advantage or benefit enjoyed by an individual or a group, that is not available to others.  Privilege is about access to power, opportunities, resources, and favorable treatment.  The concept of privilege is one many react to with intense emotion, ranging from anger to denial to blame.  

Culturally, privilege is accorded based on race, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, socio-economic class, and religion.  In our country and workplaces, you’re privileged if the dominant positive stories are about people who look like you and share a similar cultural orientation.  And you’re privileged if the majority of people in power look like you and are members of your cultural identity groups.  

So, national and workplace conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion must include exploration of privilege and a willingness to right the imbalance and injustice.

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