The term "privilege" has become so commonplace in discussions about social justice that it often goes unacknowledged, losing its impact. As Roxane Gay highlights in her essay collection "Bad Feminist," frequent usage can render it ineffective, leading audiences to overlook its significance instead of engaging with the vital conversations it seeks to incite.
This dilution of the word can create barriers to understanding and dialogue about inequality. When "privilege" is used excessively, it risks becoming a background noise rather than a term that prompts reflection on the disparities that exist in society, thus undermining the very conversations it aims to fuel.