| Conventional wisdom is discrimination against privileged groups such as white men is less offensive because they’ve endured so much less of it. On one hand, it’s true. It’s part of white privilege which is tangible. On the other hand, however less often people in a privileged class are realistically impacted by discrimination, it’s still > 0.0%. Since it usually costs nothing more to include everyone it seems useful. But I think the biggest reason it’s important to care about discrimination wherever it shows up and not let people off the hook is that it’s unifying. There’s a story out of Buddhism that suggests it’s important to think equally kindly about rich people, kind of similar in that they’re a privileged class. I know it’s a hard sell. I don’t do it justice here. However a powerful argument can be made that not disparaging privileged classes, actually helps us all in the long run/big picture. If I get down voted I understand, that’s ok. If it makes a difference I don’t mean to minimize the 10,000 year history of pain suffered by any humans due to discrimination. |
The powerful argument is that you should treat everyone well, period, and not do some kind of calculation to decide how cruel you're allowed to be to them.