I've heard it for years: "You have never had to work for anything."
I know I am privileged-- that's an argument you don't have to have with me. I know that I come from a good family, and I am fortunate to live the life that I live. I get it. Trust me, I am grateful every single day for the things that I have. But, before you point your finger at the education that I am receiving and the money that my parents make, please understand this: My privilege does not define my character. It never has and it never will.
Instead of calling me a spoiled brat or a girl who hasn't had to work for anything a day in her life, get to know me first. Those claims are tired. In fact, they are bit too overused, and I am a bit too used to hearing them. Get to know me and understand who I am. Then, if you still think the spoiled brat shoe fits, you have every right to call me that. But if you find yourself disappointed, here's 27 other things you can choose to call me instead:
1. A Christian
I was saved at the age of nine. I am a sinner, but it is by the grace of God that I am forgiven. I am not perfect. I make mistakes and I fail to live the Christian lifestyle, but I try to every single day of my life. I am a Christian and I am not a spoiled brat.
2. A pup mom
I am a pup mom to Nixon and I love this little guy so much. He makes life so much fun. I am an energetic, loving, and dedicated pup mom, not a spoiled brat.
3. Lover
Lover of life, lover of coffee, lover of fishing, lover of teaching, lover of the English language, lover of service, lover of Jesus, lover of so many things. I am a lover, not a spoiled brat.
4. Hard-headed
I might be hard-headed, but I am not hard-hearted. I have days when I am sassy, rude, and probably not a joy to be around, but that makes me human, not a spoiled brat.
5. Beach-lover
I love to spend time at Topsail Island, North Carolina. This beautiful island has been a significant part of my life growing up. I have grown to love it more and more each visit. I am a lover of the beach, not a spoiled brat.
6. Sister
I am a sister to two beautiful, strong, and compassionate women. All of my life I have looked up to them. We each have our own stories of being called spoiled brats, and as I stick up for myself through this article, I am sticking up for them, too. We are sisters. We are caring, compassionate, and loving individuals. We are not spoiled brats.
7. Daughter
My parents have raised me with respect, dignity, and love. They give me guidance and criticism. They want the best for me and they would give me the world. They have worked so hard to provide for their three daughters and they support each of us with all they have. I am a daughter, not a spoiled brat.
8. Girlfriend
I am a girlfriend to a kind, caring, and hardworking man. He loves me with his deepest love and he has taught me so much about life. Loving him brings me happiness. He doesn't have to, but he gives me what he can because he wants to. This makes me a girlfriend who is loved by a very special person, not a spoiled brat.
9. Friend
College has given me some of my best friends. The friends that I know will stand beside me on my wedding day. The friends I know would give me the shirt off of their backs. The friends that love me for me. I am a friend to strong, beautiful, and encouraging women. I am a friend, not a spoiled brat.
10. A Compassionate Person
I am compassionate. My heart aches to feel for others. It longs to empathize and understand. I am compassionate, not a spoiled brat.
11. Black Coffee Drinker
Really. Coffee tastes so much better without cream or sugar. It's the perfect way to start my day! I am a drinker of black coffee, not a spoiled brat.
12. Ambitious
Some day, along side of teaching, I want to have my own business. I will work as hard as I have to in order to achieve that dream. I don't expect anything to be handed to me and I am prepared to work hard. I am ambitious and I am not a spoiled brat.
13. Go-getter
When I fail over and over again at achieving my lifelong goals, I will get back up again. No matter what. I know the value of hard work. I will always chase my dreams because I believe in them. I am a go-getter, not a spoiled brat.
14. Fighter
A spinal fusion and two hip surgeries at ages 15 and 16. Yes, I am privileged to have been given this kind of medical attention, but this battle was one that I did not choose. I am a fighter, not a spoiled brat.
15. Passionate
I will talk your ears off about the things that set a fire in me. Ask me anything you want about the English language, and definitely ask me about why I want to teach. Better yet, tell me I am crazy for wanting to teach, and I will help you understand that I have a heart bigger than one could even hold, and a love for teaching adolescents, adolescents that come from all walks of life. I am passionate, not a spoiled brat.
16. Fisherman
Fishing is a fun hobby for me. It's exciting to catch a fish, and it's also exciting to be able to slow down and appreciate the earth. I am a fisherman, not a spoiled brat.
17. Student
I am a full-time student on a scholarship. Last semester was one of the hardest few months of school in my entire life, but I persevered. My parents worked their butts off to go to college when they were my age. They paid for their own education so that I would not have to some day. Because of my mom and dad, I have been given an opportunity to get a valuable education, and there is not one day that I take that for granted. I will not be handed a degree and I am not just a school girl who does not know the value of education. I am a hardworking student, not a spoiled brat.
18. Talker
I've always been a talker. I remember getting in trouble in Kindergarten for talking too much. Nothing has changed. I am a talker, and I love to talk about things that I am passionate about. I am a talker, not a spoiled brat.
19. Traveler
I have been given wonderful opportunities to travel and that, I know, is a privilege. I am privileged to be able to go see other parts of the world, but just because I do, doesn't mean I am a spoiled brat. It doesn't mean that I don't appreciate the opportunities I am given to travel. Instead, I am absolutely grateful for these opportunities. I am a traveler, not a spoiled brat.
20. Writer
I write stories, papers, and articles. One day I hope to write a book. Writing brings me so much joy. I might not be able to tell you what I am feeling, but I will always paint you the picture through words. I am a writer and I am not a spoiled brat.
21. Future Teacher
22. Leader
I have played on many different sports teams, led class discussions, taught English at a high school, led my sorority as president, taught a friend how to make a recipe, and many other things. I care about others and I want everyone to achieve their goals. I am a leader because I worked my butt off. I am a leader because I see potential in others. I am a leader because I know the value of teamwork. I am a leader, not a spoiled brat.
23. A Faithful Person
Being faithful makes up so much of who I am. I am trustworthy and strong. My strength resides in morals, values, and beliefs that have been instilled in me from a very young age. Being faithful is a big part of my character and I am proud to be in a committed and serious relationship. This makes me a woman with values and dignity in her heart. I am faithful, not a spoiled brat.
24. Home Decor Enthusiast
One of my favorite hobbies is home decor. I love to make a space feel like home and I would definitely consider myself a home decor enthusiast. There is nothing like the feeling you get when you have perfected a space. I call this chasing my dreams and doing what I love. I am a home decor enthusiast, not a spoiled brat.
25. Hangry
Sometimes I am hangry. Hungry + angry = hangry. Angry because I am hungry. Hangry. Being hangry might make me a spoiled brat, but just feed me and I won't be hangry anymore.
26. A Girl With a Terrible Sense of Humor
Sense of humor? Mine is pretty weird. I laugh at things that aren't that funny and I am way too serious much of the time. I am a girl with a terrible sense of humor, but I am not a spoiled brat.
27. Anything other than a spoiled brat
Can we end the judgement? I can't do anything about the cards I was dealt and I'm sorry if you were dealt some that are worse than mine, but at the end of the day, I am no lesser of a person just because my mom and dad can financially support me. I am no lesser of a person because I attend a four-year university. I worked hard in high school and my education is paid for partly by a merit-based scholarship. I developed a work ethic through school and sports and while I did not have to work to support myself or my family, I did and I do go to school with people who who had to do just that. I will never know nor will I ever claim to know what that is like, but I can tell you that I am not a bad person because I walked down a different path.
I have been called a spoiled brat for so much of my life because some say that I haven't had to work as hard as them to achieve want I want to achieve. That is true to some extent. I understand that there is a difference in equality and justice, but I am still upheld to a standard in my life. I don't get to walk through life without consequences or battles. My standard is defined differently than yours, but it does not define who I am as a person, and yours does not define you either.
I know that I am privileged and I won't ever know what it is like to live a day without that. There is nothing I could ever say to change that, but I do know this -- I am capable of being more than a privileged white girl. I want to be seen as more than the privilege that follows me around. I don't claim to understand the battles and hardships others have faced, and I never will, but I can tell you that I am compassionate about the human race. I have fought battles of my own, even if they weren't in the same ballpark as yours. My mom and dad have instilled more in me than the financial support they are able to give me, and I wish to be labeled as a caring, compassionate, and strong human being, not a product of privilege.
I am not my privilege. I do not wish for that to define me. So please, call me any of these things. Just don't call me a spoiled brat.
