Power and Privilege: Insights from Tyronne Stoudemire’s “Diversity Done Right” — Maarten Schafer
In “Diversity Done Right,” Tyronne explores how power and privilege shape workplaces and societies. This chapter examines the ways these social constructs often create barriers to equity and inclusion and the subtle but significant impacts they have on marginalized groups.
Tyronne defines power as “the ability to decide who will have access to resources; the capacity to direct or influence the behavior of others, oneself, or the course of events.” This influence, he argues, plays a substantial role in determining who gets a seat at the table and who remains excluded. Privilege, meanwhile, is “unearned access to resources only readily available to some people as a result of their advantaged social group membership.” Privilege may manifest in numerous ways, but it often goes unnoticed by those who benefit from it, leading to imbalances that are deeply ingrained in social and organizational structures.
Tyronne shares a personal experience that vividly highlights these dynamics. When escorted to the front of a line by an airline due to his VIP status, he encountered resistance from a White woman, who shouted, “Get to the back of the line!” He reflects, “I have to wonder if it had been a White man who had been driven to the front of the line, would the reaction be the same?” This incident encapsulates the challenges faced by individuals who lack what he terms “birthright privileges,” a form of privilege that extends beyond earned benefits, subtly shaping assumptions about who “belongs” in certain spaces.
The chapter also discusses the systemic barriers facing marginalized groups. Examples include the wage gap and the “broken rung” in career advancement, which disproportionately affects women and people of color. “For centuries,” he writes, “women and people of color have not been recognized as citizens with full rights within our nation and globally.” He adds that, despite some progress, “the playing field has been uneven for so long, it is difficult to imagine that women and people of color will ever catch up with White males.”
A path forward requires acknowledging these imbalances and taking intentional steps to foster equity. Community organizing and grassroots efforts are powerful tools he advocates for, emphasizing the “power in numbers” to challenge existing norms. Through his insights, he calls on leaders to examine their roles in perpetuating or dismantling these structures, encouraging us to create workplaces and societies where power and privilege do not determine a person’s worth or potential.
“Diversity Done Right” serves as a reminder that confronting power and privilege is essential to building inclusive environments. “Understanding these issues is an essential first step for moving forward and implementing effective change solutions.”
For more information on Tyronne Stoudemire’s work and insights, explore the full book.
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