I recently got into a heated argument with a relative. At the mere mention of privilege, they exploded at me. In our heavily polarized world, the media cycles, attention-hungry politicians and social media influencers would have you believe that words like “privilege” can no longer be brought to a conversation without it signaling an attack or having to choose a side.

Many people think that certain words can now only be defined by extremes and that these definitions will always only benefit some and isolate others. However, there are far more nuances to concepts and definitions than two polarizing extremist interpretations.

I, and other friends who have been doing antiracism work and education, believe that definitions like privilege can apply to any and all of us depending on our circumstances. It isn’t a word that should be particularly dangerous or threatening in a conversation. Instead, I have found that it is the lack of self reflection and openness to hear the other person’s point of view that really causes damage. And it doesn’t only cause damage for the person hearing, receiving or saying it.

When we refuse to allow others any influence over our thoughts, ideas and understanding of the world, we can become self-centered and create an isolating experience for ourselves. This can take a toll on relationships. 

Many people wonder why, as Christians, they need to care about these more nuanced concepts. Aside from being polarizing, I’ve heard it argued they are also “not biblical.” I have collaborated in leading workshops in churches that were seeking to understand these concepts further and their connection to the Christian faith. A simple answer I have for that argument is the “Trinity” is also “not a biblical word.” It was developed to describe a concept within Christianity. Similarly, I see many of these concepts pointed out by Jesus in scripture, even if they are not specifically named as such.

Below are five concepts from antiracism education that I’d love for Christians to familiarize themselves with and reflect on how Jesus may point them out through his example, parables and relationships.

1. Privilege

Perhaps we all know that “privilege is an unearned benefit someone has in society because of their identity.” However, I find it interesting that people have a much harder time accepting the different “identity types that can afford people privilege [such as] gender, race, nationality, and socioeconomic status.” 

Privilege does not equal lack of hardship in someone’s life. When it comes to discrimination, it seems relatively easier to agree that it “puts people at a disadvantage but find it harder to recognize that this conveys an advantage to those who are not facing that discrimination.”

2. Intersectionality

“People have multiple and diverse factors that intersect to shape their perspectives, ideologies and experiences.” Intersectionality tries to point at the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, ability, education, gender, etc., as they apply to an individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. “Adopting an intersectional approach will enable you to see [an] individual as a whole being, with multiple simultaneous factors shaping who they are and their experience of the world.”

3. Tokenism

Tokenism can be defined as a “policy or practice that is mainly symbolic, and involves attempting to fulfill one’s obligations with regard to established targets, such as voluntary or mandated gender quotas, with limited efforts or gestures, especially towards minority groups and women, in ways that will not change men-dominated power and/or organizational arrangements.” In other words, it is a hypocritical attempt to “include others,” yet not actually wanting to change anything about the structure that may better represent this inclusion.

4. Microaggressions

“Microaggressions are defined as the everyday, subtle, intentional — and oftentimes unintentional — interactions or behaviors that communicate some sort of bias toward historically marginalized groups.” This can include insults, offensive gestures or comments. Often, people that engage in microaggressions may not be aware that they are doing it. “These are the thinly veiled, everyday instances of racism, homophobia, sexism (and more) that you see in the world,” which is what makes microaggressions different than instances of overt racism.

5. Ally

An ally is someone who makes the commitment and effort to recognize their privilege (based on gender, class, race, sexual identity, etc.) and works in solidarity with oppressed groups in the struggle for justice. Allies understand that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit, and are committed to reducing their complicity in oppression. Allies are invested in strengthening their own knowledge and awareness of oppression and putting that knowledge into action.