I've never heard that. What does that even mean?

it was here, in a Sexis article.

I also read it in the 2nd to last story in the "Best Sex Writing 2010" too. I completely disagreed with the writer from nearly the beginning and was distracted by the footnotes (the only essay with them in the whole book).

I think that for the most part sexism can quite often have a double standard.

I just don't know what I feel I'm entitled to.

There's a lot of claims about entitlement being tossed around these days to be honest.

Life sucks for everyone. It sucks more if you're different. Logically, the best choice is to punish those who you feel are 'normal'. At least that's how it seems to be when people act like others are at fault for just being who they are.


I might get slapped for this. I've heard the spiel about how people who are entitled (cisgender, heterosexual, christian, white, male, etc)are not at fault, but merely need to be aware of the entitlement to stop being part of the problem. To promote equality. But I really dont understand it either.

As far as I know, when people say you're entitled this is what I think they mean:
You do not have to explain or justify who you are
You have an easier time in general and are not often made fun of
You get hired more readily at jobs without being questioned
You are not as often discriminated against in group or workplace situations
You're 'entitled' to people accepting you for who you are. People do not question you, and you are more likely to have success 'handed' to you. You do not question this success, and have trouble relating to the issues 'non entitled' people face.

Similar stuff. But in that case, then people with natural haircolors are also entitled because its harder to do all those things with a weird ass haircolor. So are people with no tattoos, because visible ink makes people view you differently. So are 'healthy' weighted people or 'sexy' people, since being too thin, too fat, or ugly makes those things harder as well.

So I dont understand it at all. Call me a bigot, call me an entitled swine, call me what you will... But I just see it as everyone having their own individual issues and experiences through life. Thats just me. Maybe I dont get it at all and maybe I explained it wrong. I'm just too old fashioned to understand all this stuff for some reason.

Actually, while DD may not agree with what she wrote, I feel like she hit the nail on the head with many of the examples. There are a lot of benefits automatically afforded (by society) to certain type of people that everyone sort of takes for granted. There seems to be a sort of culmination if you are white and male and straight and people don't even realize when they're favouring these people (or if they are the type who is being favoured).

Granted, it can happen with more superficial things like DD mentioned but hair colour that you have changed is a choice. Gender/identity (mental or physical), sexual orientation and skin colour are not and to constantly have to fight harder for your goals because of things you cannot (nor should you have to) change IS pretty shitty.

To put it plainly, some people will never have the same struggles (for instance, people are generally assumed to be straight until proven otherwise. This isn't problematic if you are straight but sends the message that straight is preferable to everyone else). It's no one's fault to be "born entitled" but a little recognition goes a long way.

It's not so much "entitlement" as it is privilege. The simplest way I've seen it explained is the Male Privilege Checklist.

It's not so much "entitlement" as it is privilege. The simplest way I've seen it explained is the Male Privilege Checklist. This post explains it pretty well, too.

WOW

I am so gravely offended that I can barely put it to words.

If someone is given PERCEIVED preferential treatment, it is NOT a sense of entitlement. It is the OTHER's issue.

I really really hope that no one sees me as this privileged or having some grand sense of entitlement.

From the checklist and the rest of it, it really applies more to Ivy League Republicans than white males as a whole. I really feel bad for people who have taken this to heart as applying to ALL white males. If someone has really taken this to heart, I really hope they can further define who they mad at and not be as hateful, racist, and sexist about it. (I'm not saying DD or BtVV is hateful, racist, sexist, etc. All they did was post).

I do think, though, that if you have visible piercings (other than accepted professional), tattoos, and/or hair color out of a bottle they should be comfortable enough in their freedom to be able to do that, but aware of their world enough to know that a person looking to hire a person who represents their company to know that they will most likely NOT get a professional job.

Yes, I have seen pictures of Victoria. I think she rocks a look and is lucky enough to have a job where it's not an issue, but I don't think she could keep up her appearance if she were to apply as an HR manager or something in a white collar setting. (white collar meaning professional. The name coming from white shirts and not the ethnicity of the worker.)

Please don't lump me in with the people who believe and preach this stuff.
I know what it is, apparently, but I do NOT agree with it, like I said. It sucks because even though everyone has their own sets of problems, they see things about you, and they make assumptions.

Privilege and entitlement are one of those assumptions. Not every white person's life is wondrous just because they are white, not every man's live is amazing just because he is a man, and not every straight person's life is outstanding just because they are straight... etc.
I agree that it applies much more to the typical rich assholes everyone hates anyways like politicians and such rather than the average person, if it applies at all.

So uh, don't thank me for 'explaining' or posting. I think its a crock. And it IS offensive to men. But multiple topics on the net have taught me that it is OKAY to offend straight white men- they are the only 'un protected' group on the net. Make fun of anything else, you're in shit, but NOBODY will give you crap for saying men suck and are assholes and you hate them all.
At least, not within this community, where there are a number of statements and etc that're pretty fucking offensive to SWM and are generally accepted blindly because its 'trendy' (this is one of them).

Just because history sucks and the world sucks and everything isn't equal yet doesnt mean you punish the people you perceive as having more than you.. seriously.

Two things here:

01 - This thread is not about positivity!

02 - Labeling and stereotyping are just irresponsible.

Yes you can pick any stereotype that you have ever heard of and find a situation where it fits, but does that make it ok to use that label as a rule? No!

Actually, the tone did change to an accusatory one and I'm really glad Gary stepped in when he did.

The question was answered, maybe this thread should die then?