Privilege

I am one of the world's most privileged individuals.  These privileges afford me opportunities that I have a responsibility to acknowledge and extend especially to individuals for whom those opportunities are not readily available.  

This has been especially apparent to me in the recent weeks.  The needless deaths and painful discrimination, affecting the Black and LGBTQ community especially, is terrible and in so many ways I will never truly understand their experiences.
​
So I've been thinking carefully about what I take for granted, struggles that I will never face, and the ways I can become a better listener.  I am privileged because 

• I was born into a middle class family and we are all citizens of the United States.
• I have a emotionally and financially supportive extended family. I have never questioned whether my family would accept any of my identities. 
• I was born into a family with resources to supplement my education and that could afford to consider school quality when relocating.  I had readily available extracurriculars. 
• There is an internet connection in my home.  
• My first language is also the primary language in my country. 
• Where I live, there are successful professional role models of my races and ethnicities. 
• Law enforcement is likely to assist me.  I am not regularly stopped by airport security for "random" checks.
• My physical anatomy aligns with my traditionally accepted gender identity. 
• I see individuals of my sexual and romantic orientation in positive roles in the media.
• I have never been raped. 
• I am not shamed for my body shape.  I can expect to find shirts that fit me in an average store at a reasonable cost. 
• No one has asked if my hair or any other body part is real.  
• Where I live, I can expect to find a doctor willing and able to provide the health care I need.
• I have never taken medication for my mental health.  I am able bodied. I can read and listen to you.  I can sleep reliably at night.  I have never had an addiction. 
• As an atheist, I am not attacked or ostracized for my religious beliefs.  
• I have never lied about any of my identities. 

I am still learning to frame the challenges that I have faced and overcome in this context and I continue to listen to how I can be a better ally.  Please call me out on things that I mess up, and I will do my best in turn fight the injustices that I see.