You've probably heard the word come up a lot lately: at the dinner table, in political speeches, in Facebook arguments. It's often attached to other words like "white" or "male." It causes people to get uncomfortable or sometimes even angry. It's created entire movements across the world. So, what is this word that has everyone so worked up?
Privilege.
Some of you are probably getting ready to close this article and go back to the cat videos on your timeline, but please hear me out. You might not recognize privilege by that name, but there are a lot of other ways we talk about the things we have that other people don't. For some, it's "I'm so blessed." For others, it's "luck" or "the universe." No matter what you call it, most everyone recognizes that they get advantages and opportunities that other people don't have.
I want to be clear that I am not trying to attack anyone for having privileges. I am SO privileged. I was born to an amazing family in the United States where I have so many rights and freedoms that other people don't have. I've never had to worry about what my next meal was. I even get to go to college. So many things in my background that I didn't earn or control have given me an advantage over other people who weren't so "lucky" or "blessed." Having privilege is not a bad thing. It doesn't mean you didn't work hard for what you have, or that you're somehow spoiled or lazy, it's just the hand that you've been dealt.
But, just for a second, think about what your life would look like if you didn't have those advantages. What if you had been a Jew born in Nazi Germany? A woman in the early 1900s? Someone with a disability? A black person in the United States? Do you think you'd still be where you are today? For some people, life is like running a race that they'll never be able to win. Hard work doesn't always pay off when you've been running for miles before anyone else had to start. So many groups of people have to fight the disadvantages they've been assigned simply for being born. It's an uphill battle.
I know that I'm guilty of being ungrateful for the things I've been given. I complain about my schoolwork, the cafeteria food, my clothes, and just about everything else you can imagine. When I start feeling sorry for myself and feel like my struggles are just too hard, I remind myself to check my privilege. By recognizing that other people don't get the things that I have just for being me, I can realize how privileged I really am. I am blessed beyond belief, and by acknowledging that, I can begin the first steps in trying to even the playing field for people without these privileges. People without these privileges are not looking for a handout, they're just looking for an opportunity to work hard without unfair barriers. Having privilege does not define me, but what I do with it does.
So, use what you've been given to speak out for those whose voices have been drowned out by years of oppression and prejudice and fear. When you feel like nothing is going right, remember those who have to fight for everything that you've been given, and please, check your privilege.
Here are some links to people that are better at explaining privilege than I am if you're interested in learning more:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/regajha/how-privileged-ar...(if you want to check your own privilege)
https://www.buzzfeed.com/nathanwpyle/this-teacher-...
