I've posted a question on kitty's blog about privilege which I think might help me to understand it. I think understanding how to deal with it is probably more useful than understanding what it is. It seems that it's closely connected with derailing - in fact, it seems that derailing may only possible when privilege is involved. My understanding is that the privileged person cannot really empathise or fully understand the subject matter being talked about as it seems closer to fiction than fact based upon their own reality, and so the natural tendency is to move the subject onto something more tangible (from their perspective) that they feel they can usefully contribute to. I don't think therefore derailing should be considered a bad thing, but just a natural consequence of their privilege. However, I do agree that there is an onus on the person to have an awareness of their privilege and therefore their derailing. What I'm still trying to understand is what exactly changes when someone becomes aware of their privilege and derailing - obviously the privilege doesn't go away by becoming aware of it, but what about the derailing? Is that supposed to stop? Or are they simply supposed to bow out of the conversation given that they cannot contribute effectively?

Please note: this comment deals purely with privilege, not the originating subject. I'll admit I'm derailing (if I understand the term correctly) currently! That's not bad though is it - as long as I'm aware of it, right?