The issue I take with the phrase “white male privilege” isn’t necessarily about whether the concept exists. It can and does exist in many contexts. The problem lies in how the term is often used: as a blanket descriptor that flattens a complex web of individual circumstances.
Privilege Comes in Many Forms
Let’s consider a few forms of privilege that often have a more direct and powerful impact on a person’s life outcomes than being white and male:
- Family wealth
- Physical attractiveness
- High intelligence
- Natural talent (social, athletic, creative, etc.)
- Country of birth
In many situations, I wouldn’t rank being a white male in the top five privileges a person can have (in the 21st century, of course). That doesn’t mean it’s irrelevant—there are social and historical factors that have advantaged white males as a group. And yes, being white and male can correlate with some of the privileges listed above. But correlation isn’t the same as guarantee.
Not all white men live privileged lives. Many bear deep, often invisible burdens, such as:
- Physical or mental disabilities
- Poverty or unstable family life
- Mental illness
- Childhood neglect or abuse
- Severe trauma or chronic illness
Why the Term Can Be Harmful
The problem with the term “white male privilege” is that it treats a highly diverse group as monolithic. And when broad group categories are used to judge individuals without considering their lived experience, the result often feels—and can become—discriminatory.
Yes, history contains countless atrocities committed by white men, often against non-white populations. That historical context shouldn’t be erased or downplayed. But that doesn’t make it fair to assume that every individual white man today is inherently privileged in a way that overrides all other factors in his life.
When we overuse or oversimplify terms like “white male privilege,” we risk doing three things:
- Alienating allies – Many white men may support social justice causes, but feel shut out or unfairly labeled by this language.
- Diluting nuance – Failing to acknowledge other powerful privileges (wealth, beauty, intelligence) narrows the conversation.
- Triggering resentment – When people feel blamed for circumstances beyond their control, especially while also struggling, it can lead to defensiveness or even backlash.
A Better Way Forward
At its best, the call to examine “white male privilege” is about striving for fairness—about identifying how certain groups have historically benefited at others’ expense and how that legacy still affects opportunities today. But to truly advance fairness, we need to balance structural analysis with individual empathy.
Acknowledging privilege should not become a contest of who has suffered more, but rather a deeper understanding of the many variables—race, gender, class, health, upbringing, and more—that shape a person’s life. And when we speak about privilege, we should do so with precision and care, mindful not to erase real hardship in anyone’s story.
Ultimately, privilege is not a simple hierarchy, and labeling entire groups without considering individual realities is both ethically and strategically flawed. If we want to build a more just society, we need to bring more people into the conversation, not push them away with oversimplified terms.