Privilege, Oppression and the Matrix of
Domination
PRIVILEGE
Privilege exists "when one group has
something of value that is denied to others"
because of the groups or social categories
they belong to
TWO TYPES OF
PRIVILEGE
Unearned Advantages
The restriction of unearned
entitlements to dominant
groups
Gives them the "critical edge"
Food, water, clothes and
opportunities
Unearned entitlements: things all
people should have
Conferred Dominance
Gives permission to
control
Whites represent 82 percent of Congress
Gives power to people who did not earn it
OPPRESSION
A relationship in which the
dominant group benefits from
the systematic abuse,
exploitation and injustice
directed at a subordinate group
Results from the societal relations between social
categories
Systematic
Privilege and oppression
are CONNECTED
One form of privilege can defend or reinforce another
Access to one form of privilege can affect access to others
One form of privilege can serve as compensation for not having access to another
Privilege and oppression cannot exist without
one another
THE MATRIX OF DOMINATION
The construction of difference is
NOT RANDOM
Each category unique
However, each category is
constructed through similar
processes
INTERSECTIONALITY
Refers to the interrelatedness of systems of
privilege and oppression
The simultaneous influence of race, social class, gender,
sexuality, ethnicity, age, nation (etc.) on LIFE EXPECTATIONS
and LIFE CHANCES
"Intersecting Inequalities" and
"Intersection of race and class"
MATRIX Framework
Illustrates that most people experience
BOTH privilege AND oppression
Discouraging additive analyses of
oppressive systems that pit one oppressed
group against another
Because all forms of oppression have the same source, members of oppressed groups would benefit from working together to restructure society in
ways that lead to greater equality for ALL groups