Privilege

I’ve been thinking a lot about privilege lately.

I’ve become more aware of my own privilege as I’ve gotten older and had more life experience. I’m privileged to have been born a white, middle class, able-bodied, heterosexual (yes, I believe I was born this way, as I believe those who are homosexual were born that way) American who identifies with the gender into which she was born.

I’ve been infuriated recently by the lenient sentencing of the Stanford rapist Brock Turner. As a woman, I have feared for my personal safety and felt uncomfortable countless times because of something a man said or did. I am constantly aware of my surroundings and evaluating potential threats. If I reject this strange man on the street, will he hurt me? This is my reality as a female.

While I do deal with those fears, I am privileged enough not to fear for my safety because of my race. Or my gender identity. Or my sexual orientation. Or my religious beliefs. Or my class status. I am not judged for a disability.

I don’t have to worry about holding my boyfriend’s hand in public. I can use the restroom of the gender with which I identify with no fears. I have never worried about where my next meal would come from. Nor have I gotten suspicious looks because of the color of my skin. I don’t worry about whether or not the shop I’m going to has a wheelchair ramp. I can speak freely without fear of imprisonment. I won’t be evicted or fired because of who I love.

It breaks my heart that so many people do have to fear or consider these things as part of their daily lives. So many of these people are my friends.

Being privileged is not a negative thing, and we shouldn’t feel ashamed or guilty about it. It simply describes our situation in life. However, with privilege comes a certain level of responsibility. We must use our privilege to lift up others who are marginalized and disadvantaged.

We have to speak up for each other. We have to change things. We must be open-minded. We can disagree with each other without turning to violence or hate.

I think it starts with acknowledging our own privilege and being open to the experiences and viewpoints of those who are different.