US People Are Pointing Out Privileges That Lots Of People Don't Even Recognize, And This Is So Important

People Are Pointing Out Privileges That Lots Of People Don't Even Recognize, And This Is So Important​

Sun, July 25, 2021

Recently, Reddit user u/vianneyal posed the question, "What is something people don't realize is a privilege?" The thread quickly went viral as users shared the things that so many of us take for granted as we go about our day.​

https://sneed.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xaAU98jUPAkOKTf5whcxaw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNi4wNTcxNDI4NTcxNDI5/https://sneed.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/k7U1b5yTDFOtNTjkc90CXw--~B/aD00NjY7dz03MDA7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/buzzfeed_articles_778/15c6e33fd3bb927e4a91761d380e28cd
Getty Images

Here are some of the most thought-provoking responses:​

1."Sewers. A literal city of tunnels you never see, draining and moving water in and out of your town/city, completely hidden from view. It's a fucking luxury, and you'd be surprised how much of the world doesn't have that while the rest of the world never even thinks about it."​

–u/Happy8Day

2."Clean water."​

–u/JakeySan


"This. I once worked on a First Nations reserve with no potable water. Everyone had these big containers you dropped off at a water station, got filled, then carried back home. Not only did it suck to lug heavy containers of water back to your house, it also sucked to have to constantly watch how much water you have and plan when you need to get a refill, as they only refilled your containers on certain days of the week."

–u/duckface08

3."Buying groceries without having to carefully consider prices."​

–u/scooter-willie

https://sneed.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MFQZy9Snb5EdQ3l2NC2y3g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNi45NjEzMjU5NjY4NTA4NA--/https://sneed.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/bJx0Ux.UUc19O8TLYF7WxQ--~B/aD00ODM7dz03MjQ7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/buzzfeed_articles_778/af53fba0c19da3566e3e10b0123fc24a
Moyo Studio / Getty Images

4."Having access to dentists in childhood."​

–u/Fr8ndInm8-2

"The worst is when your parents know you need regular dental care, but they're too poor to take you every six months. My parents bit the bullet and took us in for a checkup (and a few inevitable fillings) every 3–5 years."

–u/GingerMau

5."Having your own room/space. A lot of people — and especially families — around the world have to share living spaces."​

–u/nigelfitz

6."Hot showers. I was homeless for a year and a half, and there was a time I blew $50 on a motel room specifically to take a hot shower. I remember pulling off my cold wet socks and just collapsing in the hot water, sobbing. Felt like all my problems went away immediately."​

–u/reduxde

https://sneed.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/o6DmgRpJ_8RQtFxoRCWR3Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNy41NTE4NjcyMTk5MTc-/https://sneed.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/6UEydynuDl8D8WL_Y3LEkw--~B/aD00ODM7dz03MjM7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/buzzfeed_articles_778/3abf9979b37ce89fbe000482415615a1
Getty Images

7."Having the freedom to focus on things like hobbies or finding your passion instead of just basic human needs, like keeping a roof over your head and food in your stomach."​

–u/Hrekires

"It’s hard to be creative when stuck in survival mode."

–u/orion284

8."Getting as much sleep as you need."​

–u/Character_Comb_3439

9."Having a pet. No matter your socioeconomic status or location, having a pet means you have that much extra space, time, and financial freedom."​

–u/pertain2u

https://sneed.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/R6Vjk9l.WUh1oLnszuGNdA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNS40ODk2NTUxNzI0MTM4/https://sneed.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/j0W2TciiG5m7iM1b4RY8rg--~B/aD00ODI7dz03MjU7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/buzzfeed_articles_778/ebb8da24bc3ff21b15cea63ded475a13
Getty Images

10."Being able to quit a job without fear of losing financial stability."​

–u/AMiniMinotaur

11."Having your parents to fall back on for help or advice during adulthood. I've been estranged since I've been 16. Life ain't easy navigating the world alone."​

–u/NotMyCabbagesAgain

12."The other night, I decided to change my bedding randomly and realized how lucky I am to be able to swap to another clean set on a whim. Clean laundry, multiple blankets... Those things make me feel rich. A lot of people don't have a clean, safe bed to sleep in."​

–u/Anticrepuscular_Ray

https://sneed.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/GZXH8ivNNiFKNa5hlDQXQQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNi45NjEzMjU5NjY4NTA4NA--/https://sneed.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/jE69ez_GkNMzc1ZnP7TxfA--~B/aD00ODM7dz03MjQ7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/buzzfeed_articles_778/bb18d11b303855a8fc73f6fec7d93574
Getty Images

13."Going to school."​

–u/HumbleFrench2000

"Too many people take education for granted."

–u/KirbyBucketts

14."I noticed that I was privileged with eating to my taste. My dad told me how in Mexico, they ate what they had. It was rural farm life. He continued to eat that way even living here in America. He would buy me and my sister whatever we wanted and make eggs and beans for himself."​

–u/maybe_secretlysatan

"Poverty and hunger do that to you. I eat leftovers and ration my food. We are a family of three: two adults and one toddler. And we have a massive pantry; we have enough dry food to last a family of five a whole year... I never noticed it until someone pointed it out, and I remembered being hungry as a child."

–u/new_Australis

15."Driving a vehicle."​

–u/bba89

https://sneed.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XrSufyPTuGcCis5NosNEhQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNi45NjEzMjU5NjY4NTA4NA--/https://sneed.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/KxfH96vZ1YuF06oSPHKIBA--~B/aD00ODM7dz03MjQ7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/buzzfeed_articles_778/afbe95bc654f7c447031b0f03f276be8
Getty Images

16."Weekends off. I think about this every Saturday when the gardener comes to mow. He brings his son to help him. My kids are sitting in their PJs working on coding projects, while his son is out helping mow lawns. That is his kid's Saturday off school vs. my kids'."​

"The danger is that someday, if my kids become programmers or whatever white collar job, they will look back and say, 'It's because I worked hard to gain these skills,' taking for granted the privilege of the time to do it."

–u/CJs2cents3456

17."Air conditioning."​

–u/93yourcultleader93

"Especially with people dying in heat waves these days. There is no escape from a deadly heat wave. It’s a luxury, but I wish it were a standard thing."

–u/sugarcookie821

18.And finally, "Travel. There are a lot of privileges within that broad category, too. Men can sometimes travel alone to places that women might feel unsafe visiting. People in the LGBTQ community are sometimes at greater risk than others. White people are sometimes treated better as tourists than people of color."​

–u/glitterlok

"In school, I had rich friends tease me for never leaving the country, and I felt SO much shame. Looking back, I realize money-wise, it was never even an option. Wasn’t so obvious when I was a kid."

–u/Izzysocool

https://sneed.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8igOJ6GHmjQSoMmPdi2F5Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNi45NjEzMjU5NjY4NTA4NA--/https://sneed.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/1CVbZ3DhBjGvu9n3umaPkg--~B/aD00ODM7dz03MjQ7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/buzzfeed_articles_778/b43e7b18ffb2c403fd479534f75b57da
Getty Images

Can you think of something that many people don't realize is a privilege? Share your thoughts in the comments below.​

Article archive

 

[Jet Fuel Johnny]

"Pets are a privilege! You have to be financially stable to have one!"
>Sees every third homeless guy with a dog that obviously loves him and is often in better shape than the homeless due.
yeah. privilege.

 

[Beautiful Border]

Most of these seem... pretty obvious, really? I find it hard to believe there are people out there who just assume these things have always existed for everyone. There's a reason "there are kids starving in Africa who'd eat that!" is a common refrain of parents trying to get their kids to eat their dinner.

 

[Screw Danlon]

I mean, yes, these are privileges in the absolute sense, especially compared to places in the third world, or to people who are living paycheck to paycheck at best, and I am indeed thankful that I have access to clean water and AC and a car and a house...

but what do you want me to do about it?

This is my issue with all these “privilege” arguments.

Do you want me to donate to charity? Already do. Do you want me to do volunteer work? Ok. I try to, when I can. Do you want me to be more thankful? Because I admit I probably could stand to be.

But if all you want me to do is feel guilty and castigate myself, then no. I reject that.

 

[Antique Rice]

I'm sure they're just setting the stage so they can weaponize all the good things about western civilization against US citizens en masse when the elite start another push to take away things like ICE vehicles and red meat.

 

[Jimjamflimflam]

I guess this explains why so many redditors troon and faggot out. They realize how lucky they are to exist in the first world but still need their sweet sweet oppression points for victim status.

 

[Salubrious]

"The danger is that someday, if my kids become programmers or whatever white collar job, they will look back and say, 'It's because I worked hard to gain these skills,' taking for granted the privilege of the time to do it."

–u/CJs2cents3456

Remember, even if you start from nothing and work 100 hours per week to become successful, they will STILL figure out a way to bitch at you.

 

[BobbyBriggs69420]

My wife's son liberals vs my gardeners son neolibs

 

[IAmNotAlpharius]

I guess this explains why so many redditors troon and faggot out. They realize how lucky they are to exist in the first world but still need their sweet sweet oppression points for victim status.

It’s why they become SJWs. They know they had it easy and are trying to find reasons why they’re axkshually oppressed.

 

[LaxerBRO]

Most of these seem... pretty obvious, really? I find it hard to believe there are people out there who just assume these things have always existed for everyone. There's a reason "there are kids starving in Africa who'd eat that!" is a common refrain of parents trying to get their kids to eat their dinner.

The best rebuff to that line:

Michael Zane:
Finish your fries.

Jesse Waingrow:
You can't tell me what to do. You're not my dad.

Michael Zane:
Didn't anybody ever tell you about starving kids in Africa?

Jesse Waingrow:
Why? Are you gonna send them my fries?

 

[Niggs Monaghan]

People are pointing out a lot of privileges people don't even have, and here's why one day, for no reason at all--

 

[MediocreMilt]

It's a privilege to be able to whine about stupid crap on the Internet, and more of a privilege to collect money (little as you got for this) for harvesting that whining into a listicle.

 

[Myles the Potatophile]

"Pets are a privilege! You have to be financially stable to have one!"
>Sees every third homeless guy with a dog that obviously loves him and is often in better shape than the homeless due.
yeah. privilege.

Used to wonder if they had those dogs just a sympathy move. They'll get more money with the dog because people feel more sorry for it than the person.

 

[Stoneheart]

Used to wonder if they had those dogs just a sympathy move. They'll get more money with the dog because people feel more sorry for it than the person.

Safety and Companionship mostly.

 

[Trober]

Couldn't you basically make anything a privilege under these standards. I mean hell being alive because some die at birth. It just seems like more performative shit to show how aware they are of their position.

 

[Tovarisz]

These are not Privileges, these are ACHIEVEMENTS. All of those things didn't exist at some point but some people WORKED and possibly DIED hard and made it possible for us.

Kindly Fuck off, it's not my problem you can't be bothered to find a job and it's not my problem your mom had a one night stand with a nigger and you're 9 of 10, it's not my problem you're poor, it's not privilege that I found a job that let's me live better off than you subsist on gibs.

It's a privilege to be able to go to a store, loot a fucking TV worth $1000 and go home while everyone says you're brave for resisting because a member of your shit race died. It's a privilege no one dares mention your fucked race up when a card holding member of it does something fucked up. It's a privilege when skilled people get told no when applying for a job because the company needs it's token nigger. It's a fucking PRIVILAGE to get gibs because others PAY FUCKING TAXES SO YOU CAN LIVE YOU WORTHLESS SHIT.

FUCKING DIE ALREADY.

 

[NJBear]

2."Clean water."​

 

[NyQuilninja]

This is just a list of normal first world things.
Also this

 

[JosephStalin]

These are not Privileges, these are ACHIEVEMENTS. All of those things didn't exist at some point but some people WORKED and POSSIBLY died hard and made it possible for us.

Kindly Fuck off, it's not my problem you can't be bothered to find a job and it's not my problem your mom had a one night stand with a nigger and you're 9 of 10, it's not my problem you're poor, it's not privilege that I found a job that let's me live better off than you subsist on gibs.

It's a privilege to be able to go to a store, loot a fucking TV worth $1000 and go home while everyone says you're brave for resisting because a member of your shit race died. It's a privilege no one dares mention your fucked race up when a card holding member of it does something fucked up. It's a privilege when skilled people get told no when applying for a job because the company needs it's token nigger. It's a fucking PRIVILAGE to get gibs because others PAY FUCKING TAXES SO YOU CAN LIVE YOU WORTHLESS SHIT.

FUCKING DIE ALREADY.

Yup. Retired for the first time at 43. If I was single would never have even bothered looking for a job. Retired for good at 59. No need to work. Why? I chose to get a good education. I chose to join the military, become an officer, and make high enough rank to retire with a nice pension and benefits. I made good choices, worked hard, and earned everything I have gotten. No "privilege" here. Know a number of retired officers/senior noncommissioned officers/warrant officers, of all colors. We all worked for everything we get. Anyone else can do the same. No need to tell me about your "victimhood".

 

[Alexander Thaut]

instead of feeling guilt over this, feed gratitude and pride. then advocate for everyone getting these privileges and go work in a soup kitchen with a ladle in hand.

 

[Jet Fuel Johnny]

1."Sewers. A literal city of tunnels you never see, draining and moving water in and out of your town/city, completely hidden from view. It's a fucking luxury, and you'd be surprised how much of the world doesn't have that while the rest of the world never even thinks about it."

Sewers have been around for thousands of years. Seriously. Either your country is a literal shit-hole too goddamn stupid and lazy to build them, or they're full of incompetents and corrupt assholes.

And yes, that includes the cities in the US where the sewer system is fucked because the city and county are too goddamn crooked to fix the problem.

I've lived on literal farms that had septic and pump (running water, but a electric pump). That's about the only excuse.

2."Clean water."

Shit. Holes.

Flint was corruption through and through that could have been solved years before it was.

I've lived in places where you had to have serious filters on your pump (clean them every week) if you didn't want bad tasting water.

3."Buying groceries without having to carefully consider prices."

Well la-dee-dah, look at Mr. Richie Rich.

Go fuck yourself. I STILL carefully consider the prices.

4."Having access to dentists in childhood."

That's called being poor.

5."Having your own room/space. A lot of people — and especially families — around the world have to share living spaces."

Again, that's called being poor. I shared a room with my brothers.

6."Hot showers. I was homeless for a year and a half, and there was a time I blew $50 on a motel room specifically to take a hot shower. I remember pulling off my cold wet socks and just collapsing in the hot water, sobbing. Felt like all my problems went away immediately."

I will admit, when I woke up in the hospital and they let me finally take a shower once I was recovered enough, I sat in there for close to two hours, to the point the nurses came in to make sure I was OK. I hadn't had a shower in almost a year.

But I was in a combat zone.

If you're homeless in the US there are a LOT of places you can get a hot shower. The YMCA to start with.

7."Having the freedom to focus on things like hobbies or finding your passion instead of just basic human needs, like keeping a roof over your head and food in your stomach."

Ever the poorest people have hobbies. Being able to focus solely on it, or "find your passion" is hippy fucking bullshit. You still need to put your efforts toward your basic needs.

These faggots think Communism will have them writing poetry and painting shitty futa-cat-girl murals instead of working in the fields.

8."Getting as much sleep as you need."

I'm fucking retired with grown kids and I don't always get the sleep I need.

It's called being a fucking adult.

Faggots.

9."Having a pet. No matter your socioeconomic status or location, having a pet means you have that much extra space, time, and financial freedom."

Counterpoint: Homeless people who have them for safety, to help guard them, and companionship.

Second Counterpoint: Trailer parks.

10."Being able to quit a job without fear of losing financial stability."

AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!

Yeah. Welcome to 90% of the human race, faggot.

11."Having your parents to fall back on for help or advice during adulthood. I've been estranged since I've been 16. Life ain't easy navigating the world alone."

That sounds more like a you problem.

Know why I don't have parents to fall back on? The same as a lot of people.

They're fucking dead.

Grow up.

12."The other night, I decided to change my bedding randomly and realized how lucky I am to be able to swap to another clean set on a whim. Clean laundry, multiple blankets... Those things make me feel rich. A lot of people don't have a clean, safe bed to sleep in."

Fucking medieval peasants and howling Bronze Age savages on camels hacking at each other over which brand of Islam was the correct one in the 9th Century had multiple blankets.

Jesus.

13."Going to school."

Very true. Many people have had to drop out and get a job in their teens.

Even in America. Even if they're white.

14."I noticed that I was privileged with eating to my taste. My dad told me how in Mexico, they ate what they had. It was rural farm life. He continued to eat that way even living here in America. He would buy me and my sister whatever we wanted and make eggs and beans for himself."

Nothing here. At least this person realizes how privileged it was.

Doesn't make him less of a faggot.

Because plenty of people in America eat what they have, not what they want.

15."Driving a vehicle."

Well, since it is the 21st Century, in America, you can either own a vehicle for work or be fucked.

Kind of a privilege to own one, but also a necessity.

16."Weekends off. I think about this every Saturday when the gardener comes to mow. He brings his son to help him. My kids are sitting in their PJs working on coding projects, while his son is out helping mow lawns. That is his kid's Saturday off school vs. my kids'."

LOTS of people don't get weekends off.

Those "essential workers" that were oh so important to the economy that they got pay cuts, hour cuts, and no bonuses for keeping America running?

yeah, they worked weekends just your hispanic gardener.

17."Air conditioning."

Lots of people grew up without it.

Some still don't have it.

It's called opening the fucking window or buying a fan.

18.And finally, "Travel. There are a lot of privileges within that broad category, too. Men can sometimes travel alone to places that women might feel unsafe visiting. People in the LGBTQ community are sometimes at greater risk than others. White people are sometimes treated better as tourists than people of color."

This one is a bag of snakes. The last 3 are hilarious. Mainly because white people tip, don't tear their shit up, don't steal from them, and don't act like fucking savages. Ever seen a group of Chinese tourists? Trust me, they make you want to go on a killing rampage. There's lot of places that LGBTQ people would be put to death, you're right, so stop claiming that America and the West is the worst. And, well women, we might feel unsafe, but we do it anyway.

Finally, lots of people don't get vacations. Last vacation I was on was to the back yard.

Thank you for coming to my autistic Kiwi-Talk.