Monday, June 8, 2020

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?

5 comments:

  1. I know I was incredibly fortunate to born in the circumstances I was born. I know that millions and even tens of millions were a whole lot less fortunate.

    --Hiram

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  2. I don't agree with all the questions, but I do score positive on almost all of them...

    It is good to be lucky me. :-)

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  3. We were "poor" and didn't really know it. Grew up on a farm. Parents hardly ever worked at a profit. Grew our own food to survive. Evicted once. One income source. Denied loans. Although had one at 17% in the late 70's.

    Had to do the equity walk at an inservice once. I was not where I was expected to be. Threw the leaders for a loop. I said I grew up on a farm in the 70's and 80's.

    I am now fortunate and lucky. But also made my own way.

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  4. I think you said the magic word though... "Parents"

    It is amazing what kids can live through with good role models and stability.

    I have a number of low income friends who limit their selves to 1 or 2 kids, and raising them right. Those kids do well usually.

    The problem for kids are Adverse Childhood Experiences. Unfortunately these can negatively impact their brain development and that can limit their capabilities for life. :-(

    That is why unpopular proposal puts kids first.

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  5. By the way, how did you score overall then?

    - 1 for Detriments and + 1 for Benefits

    I scored maybe ~32... I was very lucky even though I probably did not think so at the time while I was cleaning hog barns, picking rocks, haying, etc... :-)

    ReplyDelete