As you may know, an understanding of diversity includes the concepts of oppression and privilege. Privilege is benefit experienced because of things (skin colour, money) and not because of merit. Benefits include being listened to and taken seriously, among many others. In El Salvador, privilege is still very much accorded to 'foreigners', though I hazard a guess this means Caucasian foreigners.

One example of privilege came from a Scandinavian woman who has lived in El Salvador for 12 years. She spoke several languages fluently including Spanish and English. One day, talking of the various enterprises she is involved in, she shared with us that when she speaks up in a meeting with other local businesspeople, the room listens to what she has to say. When she makes her sales pitches, she is trusted when she says that the product or service is important. Her skin and her English fluency automatically afford her respect. "[El Salvadorians] listen to foreigners. It's an advantage for me as a salesperson, but it's not right," she said. While privilege and oppression are not part of the work she does, she was conscious of it happening and of its benefit to her.