We’re on Day 35, and today we’re disrupting the narrative around privilege. The word itself often brings up resistance—because, in reality, what we’ve been calling “privilege” isn’t a neutral advantage; it’s an active system that only exists because others are being subjugated.
If privilege is dependent on oppression, then what we actually need to talk about is leverage—the ways power, access, and proximity to whiteness can be used as a tool, rather than a passive identity marker.
This shift in framing is crucial. Because privilege implies something unearned that exists regardless of context, whereas leverage is something that can be applied strategically to redistribute power, create access, and challenge systems of harm.
Let’s talk about how we move beyond simply acknowledging privilege and start leveraging what we have, where we arefor collective liberation.
Lessons & Community Insights
Today’s conversation challenged us to think beyond individual guilt or absolution and instead focus on how leverage can be used to dismantle systems rather than reinforce them. Some key takeaways:
✅ Privilege, as we’ve been taught, is designed to reinforce hierarchy. Leverage, however, can be used to redistribute power.
✅ The closer you are to the ideal of whiteness, the more leverage you have to navigate systems of power—whether through language, appearance, financial access, or social proximity.
✅ This is not about guilt. It’s about intentionality and awareness—knowing what you have access to and using it with care, strategy, and accountability.
✅ Divestment is a form of leverage. We don’t need permission to do the right thing, and we don’t need a government mandate to build equity in our own communities.
✅ White supremacy culture thrives on scarcity, but liberation is rooted in abundance—there are always resources, connections, and opportunities to be leveraged for community good.
This is the work. And if today’s discussion resonates, now is the time to deepen your practice.
Upgrade to a paid subscription for exclusive content, deeper reflections, and tools to help you build intentional, values-aligned systems. If finances are a barrier, email Scholarships@DesireeBStephens.com for assistance.
