Being privileged in America, Just What the Heck Does that Mean?

Being privileged in America, Just What the Heck Does that Mean? I do not mean that sarcastically, but I truly want to know how being privileged is defined and who is defining it. As I have learned in class tonight, there were so many privileged subgroups, that it made me wonder, just how long is our list for subgroups of people that are not privileged?

So let me list a few of the privileged groups we listed and try to come up with some sort of classification system that identifies subgroups that are truly privileged and those that are not.

Privileged groups: Membership status, Attractiveness, Dialect, geographic, ethnicity, colorism, banding in organizations, corporate, handedness, smokers, athletically gifted, team membership, Hetero, Gender, ability, experience, Age, stature (body type), English Speaking, Blonde, Blue Eyed, Intellectual, Straight and Married, Class, Avid, Possessions, Job Status, Religion, etc. As one can see, this is just the start of list that seems to have no end. So can we assume that the list of those that are not privileged would be similar?

So here we go, here are a few groups that fit into the less then privileged groups: racism (isn't this colorism?), left handedness, non-smokers (really?) athletically challenged, physically challenged, non ambulatory, non verbal, deaf and hard of hearing, visually impaired, brown or black hair, Religion, Poor (low socio-economics), short, obese, homosexual, gay, brown eyed, English Learners, etc...

I've made my point, obviously there are so many underprivileged groups, that is makes it difficult to conceptualize the reality that many subgroups are marginalized. According to Bell Hooks, class is more then just a question of money, but it is also about values, attitudes, social relations, all that formed the bias that informed the way knowledge would be given and received. Conservative discussion of censorship and silencing, according to Karl Anderson is the "most oppressive aspect of middle class life." As a result students were force to be quiet and shut their mouths, unless they were endorsing whatever power existed. Some students who exhibited loudness, emotional outbursts and unrestrained laughter were considered unacceptable and vulgar disruptions of the classroom social order.

So is it a privilege to be able to speak our thoughts, as long as it is in agreement with those in power. However, we are oppressed if we dare speak in disagreement with the majority power. It amazes me that in a country where we have the freedom of speech, that same speech we choose to exercise can subject us to oppression. Go figure!