Unpacking the Many Pieces of My Privilege

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There are some posts I write that make me nervous. This is definitely one of them.

It makes me nervous because there is a good chance I am going to write something that might be offensive or ignorant or just plain dumb.

And that’s the thing about topics like privilege, they can be so scary to unpack (for those in a place of privilege) that we often never do and as a result that shit just hangs out in the shadows informing our decisions that can quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) oppress others.

So my intention of this week’s post is to bring light and awareness to both the more talked about and less talked about forms of privilege in which I occupy.

I move through my life every day with these privileges I didn’t earn and I don’t necessarily deserve. 

I want to pull them up, examine them and take ownership as a way to empower myself and perhaps others as well.

For me awareness is always the first step. But of course the next step is action. Hence this article.

So buckle up and let’s take this ride together.

First up. White privilege.

I am a white person in a world where white people are often seen, heard and respected considerably more than people of color.

This means I don’t have to carry the burden of being in a world where I am thought of as inferior.

This means that when I was recently approached at 7am by a cop when my car broke down in upstate New York and asked suspiciously about a little green pill container in my car that was once filled with Avil, I could laugh about it, feel safe and not fear for my safety.

This means that band aids and pantyhose easily match the color of my skin. That greeting cards and stock images show people that look like me most of the time.

This means that almost every yoga class I attend I will be the majority and as a result this makes me feel more comfortable.

This means I never have to feel the need to prove or defend myself because of the color of my skin.

Next up. Gender Privilege.

I am a cis gendered female identified person in a world that speaks to, celebrates and normalizes this on a daily basis.

This means that I can use the bathroom and feel safe and comfortable every single time.

This means that when people speak about boyfriends of girlfriends, husbands and wives and other gender specific lables I can relate because I identify with a specific gender.

This means that when people call me she/her or refer to me as a woman or lady it fits and I never have to feel like I have to explain preferred pronouns so that I won’t be misidentified or misunderstood.

This means that there are so many groups and classes and books and media that support me as a woman and I can easily feel that as a result I belong.

Next, able-bodied privilege.

I am an able-bodied person without any disabilities in a world that can forget that this isn’t the case for everyone.

This means I can drive, ride a bike, take a bus and get where I need to go without giving it very much thought or concern.

This means I can see, hear, speak and walk easily and freely all of the time.

This means I am never seen as inferior or pitied because of my body and it’s ability to function.

This means I never have to worry that a restaurant, store or bathroom won’t be able to accommodate me for any reason.

And finally. Thin Privilege.

I am a woman with a conventionally accepted and praised body type who is also conventionally attractive in a world that is obsessed with body image and looks.

This means I never have to worry if a seat will hold my body without it breaking or pinching me.

This means I can eat what I want without being judged or shamed by others.

This means I can shop in most stores and feel confident that I will find something I like that is in trend and fits me easily because all stores carry my size. And I won’t be charged more for it.

This means that the images of beauty and attractiveness I see on social media and in ads reflect back an image that I am comfortable with because I look similar to those being advertised.

This means I won’t ever been seen as lazy just because of the shape or size of my body.

Aaaaand exhale.

Damn, that was quite the list. And I barely scratched the surface.

These are only a small list of what it’s like to be a person with this amount of privilege. The list is MUCH longer.

But I think it is SO very important to connect with these things we can so easily take for granted on a regular basis and never have to think about when others think about them every single day.

Not only can we take them for granted but also judge and shame others for not fitting into a structure that is designed exclude so many.

And please know I am not in any way bragging or boasting about these. This is just the way it is. I am stating facts that so many of us never ever think about. Because we don’t have to.

What would it feel like if you are a person with this kind of privilege to begin to think about it? To stop taking for granted all the things that seem to be normal and easy about your existence.

For me this is part of waking up. This how I can be an ally to those who are marginalized. Acknowledging my privilege is the first step.

So now I’d love to hear from you. Did I miss something really important? Did this post push a button or speak to something that feels very true for you?

Let me know if the comments below. And if it spoke to you please share it.