Well that was a waste

[real chili 83]

Respectfully RC, I don't think what it's called makes a lick of difference.

In the big picture, it doesn't.  However, too many people weaponized the word, and, practically speaking, has a negative connotation.  Some people are members of the lucky sperm club.  That doesn't make them good or bad.  However, when people call them privileged, I guarantee you, it's not meant as a compliment.

[Warrior Code]

Someone please remind me why I keep coming back to this site...

[The Sultan]

Someone please remind me why I keep coming back to this site...

[tower912]

Someone please remind me why I keep coming back to this site...

Eventually, basketball season will start.

[Goose]

real

I think you are 100% correct on your post. The lucky sperm club and "privilege" comparison is a great point.

[The Sultan]

real

I think you are 100% correct on your post. The lucky sperm club and "privilege" comparison is a great point.

Oh please.  If people started using some word other than "priviledge," people would evntually complain that it's been "weaponized" as well.  Anything to distract from actually addressing the point I guess.

[brewcity77]

Oh please.  If people started using some word other than "priviledge," people would evntually complain that it's been "weaponized" as well.  Anything to distract from actually addressing the point I guess.

+1

It's sad how people worry so much about terms being "weaponized" when both sides do it all the time. Privilege is something we all have. Simply being born in this country is a type of privilege itself. It can only be weaponized if you're too thin skinned to acknowledge it.

[Lennys Tap]

People looking for reasons to be guilty about their good fortune will find them.

People looking for reasons to be proud or entitled about their good fortune will find them.

People looking for reasons to be envious or resentful about other's good fortune will find them.

People who are grateful for whatever life has given them are too busy being happy and generous to worry about the guilty, entitled or resentful.

[MU82]

brew

My guess is you and I likely have different idea on what "doing anything to the level the playing field" looks like.

Wait ... I thought "Yes" was enough?

My answer would also be "Yes."

[Goose]

Lenny

You always bring the lumber. Entitlement and envy are two traits that make me the most angry. As you know, I fall into the grateful camp and never can pay forward the life I have been given, but I am going try my best everyday.

[The Sultan]

People looking for reasons to be guilty about their good fortune will find them.

People looking for reasons to be proud or entitled about their good fortune will find them.

People looking for reasons to be envious or resentful about other's good fortune will find them.

People who are grateful for whatever life has given them are too busy being happy and generous to worry about the guilty, entitled or resentful.

I mean, you're not wrong.  But telling people they should just be happy with what they have goes against thousands of years of human nature.

[Goose]

MU82

I am very happy to see you, and others, doing your best to level the playing field. Many folks that I know, talk a great game and then sit on the sidelines.
For the record, I was not asking anyone for specifics on how they help. My only criteria is based on the mirror test. If you can look yourself in the eye and honestly say you are doing your part, all good by me.

[Lennys Tap]

I mean, you're not wrong.  But telling people they should just be happy with what they have goes against thousands of years of human nature.

I'm not telling anyone what to do. If people want/need to cling to their guilt, pride, envy, etc., that's certainly their prerogative. All I'm saying is that I've known happy people from all stations in life - "privileged" and not. The common thread among them was gratitude. They don't have time for the other stuff.

[Cheeks]

 

In the big picture, it doesn't.  However, too many people weaponized the word, and, practically speaking, has a negative connotation.  Some people are members of the lucky sperm club.  That doesn't make them good or bad.  However, when people call them privileged, I guarantee you, it's not meant as a compliment.

unnatural carnal knowledgeing BINGO.  Damn right.  Implies they didn't work hard, or didn't go to school, didn't work for crap pay, long hours, no vacations, sacrifice relationships, etc.

Some people have it really bad, some have it great.  And most of us try to work hard, be grateful for the opportunity and make the most of it.

[Uncle Rico]

Say what you will about privilege, athletes should still be able to earn on their likeness

[Cheeks]

Say what you will about privilege, athletes should still be able to earn on their likeness

Agree, when they leave school and become professionals.  Have at it.

[jesmu84]

unnatural carnal knowledgeing BINGO.  Damn right.  Implies they didn't work hard, or didn't go to school, didn't work for crap pay, long hours, no vacations, sacrifice relationships, etc.

Some people have it really bad, some have it great.  And most of us try to work hard, be grateful for the opportunity and make the most of it.

Nah. Members of the "lucky sperm club" just had the advantage of starting out on 1st, 2nd or 3rd base. As opposed to the batter's box. Or the dugout. Or the parking lot.

Doesn't imply anything about the work they put in getting to home plate.

[Pakuni]

Nah. Members of the "lucky sperm club" just had the advantage of starting out on 1st, 2nd or 3rd base. As opposed to the batter's box. Or the dugout. Or the parking lot.

Doesn't imply anything about the work they put in getting to home plate.

Exactly.
The counter-argument comes down to: "Pointing out the advantages I've been given in life makes me feel bad."
If recognizing that you've received a leg up in life because of the circumstances of your birth makes you feel like all your hard work is being questioned, that says way more about you than the person pointing out your privilege.

[Uncle Rico]

Agree, when they leave school and become professionals.  Have at it.

At whatever age someone wants to pay them, including college.  Also, abolish the NCAA

The kids playing at Marquette are professionals already

[MU82]

At whatever age someone wants to pay them, including college.  Also, abolish the NCAA

The kids playing at Marquette are professionals already

The obsession of some to retain sham amateurism for college athletes reminds me of the same about Olympic athletes 20 years ago.

As was the case for Olympic athletes back then, there really was no level playing field because there was so much cheating being perpetrated by the most powerful. And the NCAA pretends to be outraged now, just as the IOC did back then.

The mock concern that the playing field will somehow become unbalanced if college athletes are allowed to benefit from their own likenesses -- as every other college student can -- is cute.

Better to keep all the power in the hands of the already rich and powerful, and keep the worker bees nice and servile.

[brewcity77]

The obsession of some to retain sham amateurism for college athletes reminds me of the same about Olympic athletes 20 years ago.

As was the case for Olympic athletes back then, there really was no level playing field because there was so much cheating being perpetrated by the most powerful. And the NCAA pretends to be outraged now, just as the IOC did back then.

The mock concern that the playing field will somehow become unbalanced if college athletes are allowed to benefit from their own likenesses -- as every other college student can -- is cute.

Better to keep all the power in the hands of the already rich and powerful, and keep the worker bees nice and servile.

Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, all of them make money and the system hasn't come toppling down. Something tells me college sports will survive, and college basketball may actually be better for it.

[Uncle Rico]

Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, all of them make money and the system hasn't come toppling down. Something tells me college sports will survive, and college basketball may actually be better for it.

For many, their earning ability will never be higher

[Lennys Tap]

Exactly.
The counter-argument comes down to: "Pointing out the advantages I've been given in life makes me feel bad."
If recognizing that you've received a leg up in life because of the circumstances of your birth makes you feel like all your hard work is being questioned, that says way more about you than the person pointing out your privilege.

You (and jesmu84) are spot on.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Cheeks is good for Scoop ratings...

[Cheeks]

At whatever age someone wants to pay them, including college.  Also, abolish the NCAA

The kids playing at Marquette are professionals already

No they aren't.  By your standards, high school athletes are professional and that is equally false.