When someone uses the word “privileged” to describe you, it’s not necessarily an editorial commentary. In all instances, it’s a statement of facts.

I describe myself as creative, hard-working, professional, and talented. This is an editorial commentary.

I also describe myself as white, middle-income, CIS, and male. This is a statement of facts.

Another fact about me is that I own a house in Toronto.

There are people who, like me, describe themselves as creative, hard-working, professional, talented, white, middle-income, CIS, and male, but who do not own a house in Toronto.

There are, however, a disproportionate number of people who describe themselves as creative, hard-working, professional, talented, and non-white who do not own a house in Toronto.

There are a disproportionate number of people who describe themselves as creative, hard-working, professional, talented, and LGBTQ2+ who do not own a house in Toronto.

There are a disproportionate number of people who describe themselves as creative, hard-working, professional, talented, and female who pay more than me for purchasing a house in Toronto and sell it for less. 

I describe myself as privileged.

This alone doesn’t mean I have anything to apologize for, or feel guilty about. This statement of fact doesn’t diminish my talent, professionalism, work ethic, or creativity.

Acknowledging I am privileged is an opportunity for me to have gratitude and humility for the factual attributes that also describe who I am. With an appreciation for, and understanding of, those facts, it’s also an opportunity for me to vote, act, and advocate for the reduction and elimination of historic disadvantages and inequities faced by other people. These people are described by a different set of factual attributes, but are just as creative, hard-working, professional, and talented as I am.

Privilege as a descriptor is not meant to be a pejorative. It empowers equity through social democracy for the common good, from which we all benefit.

If "privileged" is being used to identify you in a way that makes you feel judged or defensive, it might be a sign you need to face some facts.