Some Privilege
Here is a short list of some of the privilege I have:
- I can drive 6 MPH over the speed limit without fear of being pulled over due to the color of my skin.
- I know strangers will not be intimidated by me because of the color of my skin.
- I can wear a hooded sweatshirt without being suspected of criminal activity.
- I can apply for jobs and know my chances will not be limited by the heritage of my name.
- I can post photos of myself online and know my chances of employment will not be limited by the color of my skin.
- I can decide not to protest white supremacist groups and know my life is not in danger from these movements.
- I can choose not to take part in political discourse and know my civil rights are not threatened.
- I can walk around late at night and know I am less suspected of criminal activity than someone with a different skin color.
- I can travel to any town in the US and not be purposefully intimidated to leave before dusk because of the color of my skin.
- There are no monuments in the US that glorify the oppression of people with my skin color.
- I do not hear activists on the media advocating violence against me based on the color of my skin.
- No matter where I travel in the US, if I am pulled over or questioned by police, I never fear that my life is in danger. Instead, I expect that I will be treated with respect and be allowed to ask my own questions, should I have any.
I do not like this imbalance.