This is a publication with a very specific purpose. We want to help those with privilege understand what is to be done with that privilege.
This is both a simple task and a very complicated task.
It is simple because all that needs to be understood is that the privilege ought to be used to make the world fairer. But there are several complications.
One set of complications arise when it comes to the details:
- What is privilege?
- Who is privileged?
- What does a fairer world look like?
- What can be done?
- What should be done?
- How should it be done?
- Who can do it?
These are relatively easier to solve than the other set of complications which arise from a deeper psychological plane:
- Are there boundaries one can draw between oneself and society?
- Is there a choice to be made between selfishness and altruism?
- What’s the difference between knowledge and action?
- How does one become self-aware?
- How do we change ourselves?
We want to treat the readers as adults who have a wealth of lived experience, as people who are asking themselves several of these questions, and answering them already for themselves. But we will still start from step 1.
In chapter 1, we will enter a dialogue with the consciousness of the reader and probe them about purpose of life. This ought to prepare the reader for the soul search that is to follow. The rest of the chapters make sense only if the reader is interested in making the world fairer.
In chapter 2, we then discuss a radical learning strategy that’s necessary for being any useful in this field of work. We question what it means to learn, and how without active learning there’s no hope for progress.
In chapter 3, we discuss privilege. We look at how privilege operates and require the reader to develop a critical appreciation of their own privilege. We also discuss “oppression”, and “systemic violence”.
In chapter 4, we question the reader’s commitment to radical learning. We discuss the hypocrisy of “knowing” that most of the elite has, and ask the reader if they’re really committed to action.
In chapter 5, we discuss the breadth of “what can be done”. We discuss a yardstick to evaluate what’s apparent progress and what’s real progress.
In chapter 6, we go into specifics of organizing in the social justice movement. We discuss the various kinds of people and methods of work.
In chapter 7, we talk about psychology, about understanding how we behave and how others behave. We build a sense of inclusion that’s deeply rooted in this understanding.
In chapter 8, we talk about leadership – both individual and collective. We talk about social entrepreneurship, about agency, about power.
In chapter 9, we talk about pitfalls — saviour complex, centering ourselves, excessive pride, cynicism, hatred, guilt, etc.
And then we conclude with a note on how the reader should be feeling and how to evaluate the success of this publication.
Welcome to this journey.