Diversity and Inclusion

Members of the privileged group gain many benefits by their affiliation with the dominant side of the power system. Privileged advantage in societal relationships benefits the holder of privilege, who may receive deference, special knowledge, or a higher comfort level to guide societal interaction. Privilege is not visible to its holder; it is merely there, a part of the world, a way of life, simply the way things are. Others have a lack, an absence, a deficiency. (Wildman & Davis, 1995)

Consider the Following Statements:

• If I move, I am fairly sure I will be able to find a home that I can afford in a neighbourhood where I want to live.
• I can carry out my daily routine without worrying about whether the places I go will have wheelchair ramps or elevators.
• I can go to a store, bank or restaurant and communicate with people in my language of choice.
• I can talk openly about my sexual orientation without fear of being judged by those around me.
• I can comfortably use public washrooms that correspond with my gender as I perceive it.
• People do not regularly talk excessively slowly or loudly to me.
• I can go out in public without people looking at me like I am scary or out of place.
• I am never asked to speak on behalf of all the people in my racial or ethnic group.
• I can be pretty sure that if I ask to speak to the “person in charge”, I will be facing a person that looks like me and understands me.
• I know that I won’t be judged on my parenting ability because of my financial status.