How Fortunate Are You?

I really dislike the word privileged for some reason, but fortunate / unfortunate and lucky / unlucky work for me.  Below is a list of some critical life factors that you as a child / person had little or no choice in, and yet they likely have a big impact on your life.  And here is another list.

And here is one of the many privilege walk videos  Now are people really willing to understand that we do not all start in the same place...  This does not mean you should feel bad for being lucky, you should feel gratitude for being so fortunate.  And hopefully you can feel empathy who started so far behind you and be willing to give them a hand at times.

Detriments

• If your parents worked nights and weekends to support your family
• If you have ever been diagnosed as having a physical or mental illness/disability
• If the primary language spoken in your household growing up was not English
• If you have ever tried to change your speech or mannerisms to gain credibility.
• If you were embarrassed about your clothes or house while growing up
• If you or your parents have ever gone through a divorce
• If you have ever been the only person of your race, gender, socio-economic status and/or sexual orientation in a classroom or workplace setting
• If you took out loans for your education
• If you had a job during your high school and college years
• If you have ever felt like there was NOT adequate or accurate representation of your racial group, sexual orientation group, gender group, and/or disability group in the media
• If you have ever been bullied or made fun of based on something that you can’t change
• If one of your parents was ever laid off or unemployed not by choice
• If you were ever uncomfortable about a joke or a statement you overheard related to your race, ethnicity, gender, appearance, or sexual orientation but felt unsafe to confront the situation

Benefits

• If you were born in the USA
• If you are able to move through the world without fear of sexual assault
• If you can show affection for your romantic partner in public without fear of ridicule or violence
• If you came from a supportive family environment
• If you can go anywhere in the country, and easily find the kinds of hair products you need and/or cosmetics that match your skin color
• If you can make mistakes and not have people attribute your behavior to flaws in your racial/gender group
• If you felt like you had adequate access to healthy food growing up
• If you are reasonably sure you would be hired for a job based on your ability and qualifications
• If you would never think twice about calling the police when trouble occurs
• If you can see a doctor whenever you feel the need
• If you feel comfortable being emotionally expressive/open
• If you get time off for your religious holidays
• If you feel comfortable walking home alone at night
• If you have ever traveled outside of USA
• If you feel confident that your parents would be able to financially help/support you if you were going through a financial hardship
• If there were more than 50 books in your house growing up
• If you studied the culture or the history of your ancestors in elementary school
• If your parents or guardians attended college
• If you ever went on a family vacation
• If you can buy new clothes or go out to dinner when you want to
• If you were ever offered a job because of your association with a friend or family member

Thoughts?