The Privilege to Uplift: How Men Can Use Their Power for Good

By: Mac Scotty McGregor

Founder/Author/Speaker

Let’s be honest, none of us get to choose the circumstances we’re born into. We don’t choose our race, our gender, our sexuality, or the level of privilege society assigns to those things. But we do get to choose what we do with that privilege.

As men, especially those of us who are white, cisgender, or straight—we carry certain advantages in this world, whether we ask for them or not. That reality isn’t about guilt or blame; it’s about responsibility and opportunity.

Privilege Is Not a Weapon—Unless You Let It Be

When left unchecked, privilege can become a shield against empathy or a weapon of dominance. But when used with intention, privilege can be a bridge, a tool, a megaphone for those whose voices too often go unheard.

Using privilege for good means stepping up—not in front of others but beside them. It means listening, learning, and then leveraging the access, credibility, or comfort that privilege can bring to open doors for others.

Stories of Men Using Their Privilege for Good

• Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, famously invited Black actor and singer François Clemmons to join him in soaking their feet together in a kiddie pool—an act of quiet resistance against segregation and racism in the late 1960s. Mr. Rogers used his position as a beloved TV figure to subtly but powerfully challenge social norms.

• In more recent years, actor Terry Crews has spoken publicly and vulnerably about being a male survivor of sexual assault. In doing so, he used his platform and masculine credibility to help destigmatize conversations about male vulnerability, consent, and accountability in ways many others couldn’t.

• After the murder of George Floyd, NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace, the only Black driver in the Cup Series, called for the banning of the Confederate flag at races. But it was the white allies within the NASCAR leadership and fan base who made sure the change stuck. That’s using privilege to rewrite harmful legacies.

These examples aren’t about hero worship—they’re about action. Everyday man can do this, too:

• A manager ensures his female colleagues are heard and credited in meetings.

• A father teaches his sons about emotional intelligence and respect, not dominance.

• A coach creates a safe space for queer or trans athletes to show up fully and play strong.

This Moment Needs More of Us

The world is shifting—and not constantly in the right direction. We’re seeing a dangerous backlash against social progress, especially around gender, race, LGBTQ+ rights, and bodily autonomy. In times like these, silence from those with privilege isn’t neutral—it’s complicit.

• What if more men said, “Not on my watch”?

• What if more men spoke up at the dinner table, in the boardroom, or online when someone made a harmful comment or policy?

• What if more men asked, Who isn’t at this table—and how can I make room?

The Courage to Choose Differently

You don’t have to be famous. You don’t have to be perfect. But you do have to care enough to try.

Using your privilege for good is a lifelong practice—it’s about how you show up every day.

• Do you lead with curiosity or control?

• Do you listen to understand or to respond?

• Do you ask what others need or assume you already know?

At Positive Masculinity, we believe in a version of masculinity that is inclusive, accountable, and courageous. The kind of masculinity that knows strength isn’t about dominating others—it’s about lifting them up. And sometimes, it’s about stepping back so someone else can be seen.

Men, we have a choice. Let’s use the privilege we didn’t ask for to build a world we do want—a world where everyone gets to thrive.