The Unmistakable Legacy: How Privilege Shapes Success from Birth

During my journey from a life of extreme poverty to the halls of academia, I have often found myself pondering the specific advantages that the privileged hold over their less fortunate counterparts. Growing up in a family with no college graduates, my environment and experiences contrasted sharply with the experiences of those I encountered in my educational pursuits. This unique vantage point has allowed me to observe the subtle and not-so-subtle distinctions that often go unnoticed by those within the privileged echelons of society.

Privilege at Law School: A Tale of Two Worlds

My path to legal education began at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and culminated at the University of Michigan Law School. In San Diego, where I was based during my law school years, the landscape was markedly different from that of the elite institutions in Michigan. At Michigan, the student body was overwhelmingly composed of upper-class or upper-middle-class individuals who were accustomed to the inevitability of success in their chosen career paths.

These students had access to a stream of interviews from top law firms, often requiring no more than a basic interest expressed. The law firms flocked to the university, conducting interviews across multiple campuses and providing students with the opportunity to make a positive impression. This environment was in stark contrast to the San Diego campus, where students had to actively pursue interviews and prepare to defend their qualifications.

Beyond Specific Topics: A Lifelong Advantage

It is a common misconception to believe that the privileged learn specific topics in school that grant them a psychological or financial advantage. Rather, the advantages of privilege are more deeply rooted in the support structures that begin at birth and continue throughout life. Raised in upper-class or upper-middle-class environments, these students are taught not just specific subjects, but a broader perspective of societal hierarchy and their place within it.

Many privileged individuals are intimately familiar with the works of Nietzsche and Machiavelli. They understand the concept of innate superiority and the exclusion of lower-class individuals from social circles. This knowledge, combined with a lack of financial and emotional stresses, enables them to take risks and learn from failures without the fear of severe consequences.

The Psychological and Financial advantages

The psychological and financial advantages of being privileged manifest in a myriad of ways. From an early age, children from privileged backgrounds are taught that success is inevitable, while those from lower classes are often seen as lazy, incapable, or burdened by their circumstances. This belief is deeply ingrained and can be observed in various facets of life:

Social Understanding: Understanding the intricacies of social hierarchies and etiquette is crucial for navigating privileged circles. Privileged individuals are often well-versed in the subtleties of social interaction and can easily distinguish between those who are part of their in-group and those who are not. Economic Safety Net: The financial security provided by privileged families serves as a safety net, allowing individuals to take risks and pursue ambitious goals without the fear of severe consequences. This contrasts starkly with the fears that many from lower-class backgrounds face, such as losing a job, falling behind on rent, or experiencing utility cutoffs. Career Expectations: The expectations placed on privileged individuals from a young age lead them to focus on owning businesses or inheriting wealth, whereas those from lower classes are often taught to prioritize basic survival.

The advantages are not solely about color but encompass a range of factors including mannerisms, habits, and self-perception. A person from a privileged background must embody the ideal, which can be challenging even for talented individuals. On the other hand, someone from a lower-class background must not only excel but also navigate the complex social dynamics that can hinder their upward mobility.

The Hidden Curriculum of Privilege

The advantages of privilege are not just learned in schools but are absorbed through the support structures that surround privileged individuals. This hidden curriculum shapes their worldview and provides them with the tools to navigate the professional and social landscapes with ease. While schools may teach certain subjects, the deeper lessons about success, failure, and social hierarchy are often learned through experience and osmosis.

In essence, the real advantage of privilege lies in the unspoken rules and expectations that are perpetuated within a specific social context. These unspoken rules shape behavior, decision-making, and even self-esteem in ways that are often invisible to those outside the privileged circles.

Conclusion: Addressing the Root of Inequality

Understanding the roots of inequality is crucial for addressing and mitigating its impacts. By recognizing the subtle and not-so-subtle advantages of privilege, we can work towards creating a more equitable society where every individual has the opportunity to succeed based on merit rather than inherited status.