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I think the main reason accusations of "privilege" are easily ignored is that it's impossible to quantify exactly how much privilege any one person possesses.

I think the main reason accusations of "privilege" are easily ignored is that it's impossible to quantify exactly how much privilege any one person possesses. For instance, I (white, male, college-educated, Sagittarius) am offered a job at a hot SV startup. According to the theory of privilege, I should credit my race and background in having at least some part in that accomplishment. But how am I to know how much of the job offer was because of my "privilege" and how much was because I was actually the best candidate? Where does my privilege end and my actual talent and skill begin? Now suppose I accept this theory. What is the expected behavior? I should turn down the offer in hopes that they will hire someone else from a less-privileged background? That strikes me as somewhat unrealistic.

easp 15y ago
That's all very nice, but it seems to me to be besides the point. On point would be to answer the question (to yourself) of what you are going to do when you are part of the hiring process for open positions at that startup, or when you are approached about mentoring, or making an angel investment, or making an introduction. Given that you seem intent on dismissing the issue as somehow unknowable as well as concluding that the only course of action is unrealistic, my best guess is that you will happily behave consistently with your cognitive biases, rather than working around them. That doesn't make you a racist. It just makes you ignorant, and one of a proud majority, it would appear.