Better Toledo workshop explores privilege to promote change, inclusion

Privilege is often invisible to those who hold it, but a recent workshop at the Toledo Lucas County Public Library challenged participants to reflect, discuss, and recognize its impact in their daily lives.

“Privilege refers to the automatic, unearned social advances granted to individuals or groups based on membership in dominant categories. Think: race, gender, class, or ability,” said Monita Mungo, associate professor in the University of Toledo's department of sociology and anthropology.

“Usually when you are in a privileged position, you don't recognize it,” she said. “Recognizing and understanding privilege is not about guilt. It's about being aware of your default knowledge, where that default knowledge comes from, and then how you use that default knowledge when dealing with othe