The recent election has left me feeling very reflective. I've been thinking a lot lately about my nation, my peers, and surprisingly, I've been thinking a lot about myself and my own identity. I'm certain many of you are probably sick of hearing about the election, and I'm probably not in any shape to open a discourse on it myself, but I would like to roll with this self-explorative boon I've been having, and talk a little bit about myself.

I am an individual of privilege. Specifically, through means outside of my control such as race, economic class, sexual identity, gender identity, and other factors, I have come to enjoy certain rights, certain privileges, that others do not. I must immediately put forward that this is not me gloating, and I do not take particular pride in any one section of my identity, nor do I consider these qualifiers superior to others in any way whatsoever. Really, I suppose my purpose in writing this is a personal exercise in demonstrating awareness that my identity is made of many different, complicated facets, and that I come from multiple intersectional backgrounds.

I come from a white ethnic background. The majority of my biological makeup draws from a longstanding European descent. Cumulatively and statistically, the color of my skin has not afforded me major scrutiny or incited attacks on my person. Whereas others might be stopped, searched, or judged due to their pigmentation, I was not. This isn't always an easy concept to grasp; when you aren't consistently met with racial profiling, you aren't particularly familiar with what it looks like, what it sounds like, but you can see it played out against others. You can observe it in progress, and you can choose to do something about it. I, for one, do not tolerate any racial intolerance, and I will never support a social hierarchy that subjugates others due to the color of their skin.

I come from an upper class economic background. My family has done extremely well for itself. There were no nights I went hungry, no medical procedures too costly, and no material needs unmet. I personally detest the phrase "money makes the world go round," but I can't deny it plays a large hand in our lifestyle and what we find ourselves capable and incapable of doing as a result. Economics has not proved a large barrier for me, but I've seen people from all economic stances, and people in poverty and lower class situations that dealt with many hardships. I'm very quick to sympathize and emphasize with my fellow representatives of humankind; I try to donate when I can, treat others, loan funds, or simply fund others in their exploits and in times of need. To me, it would seem cruel not to assist and support those who I hold dear when my own monetary concerns have been taken care of.

I come from a heterosexual background. I've been fully aware of my interest in the opposite sex, and that fact has remained unchanging. My sexuality has never been scrutinized, shamed, or put down-- questioned perhaps, on a few occasions, but nothing so powerful as raw hate speech or acts of violence. As far as society and western history is concerned, I fit into to a normalized sexual identity that doesn't seem to raise a fuss in modern spheres. But my sexual and romantic interests are not the only kind of sexual and romantic interests. Homosexuality, pansexuality, bisexuality, demisexuality, asexuality, and many other paradigms of romance and intimate affection are completely valid, and should be respected as any other form of love. Respecting these identities has been no small undertaking, however, and individuals who do not meet the sexual stereotypes of society must struggle to see themselves vindicated and respected in their communities. Steps are being made to improve this situation day by day, but people still suffer regardless, and I, for one, stand by any person's right to consensually love whomever they wish.

I come from a male gender background. I have always seen myself as a man, and as far as rudimentary science and cultural appearances are concerned, I am one. This gives me two different forms of privilege. Firstly, whether you agree with notions of feminist theory or not, there are blatantly visible examples in society of ways in which systems play favorites with the male gender. For the sake of brevity, I won't get into a discussion of patriarchy, but if you are curious to learn more about what I'm getting at here, I strongly recommend taking a peek at R.W. Connell's work regarding hegemonic masculinity. Second, we are seeing more and more cases of brave individuals who are testing and redefining the notion of the gender binary, and who do not associate themselves with either male or female. Their identities are just as important, and just as legitimate as my own, but society and global culture continues to fight and categorize these individuals against their will. In my mind, we determine our own gender identities; I don't have the agency to declare someone as this or that any more than they might do the same to me. I recognize all gender identities, and I will happily fight to support those whose voices have been suppressed.

Yes, I am an individual of privilege, and I acknowledge that fact. But that acknowledgement alone does not magically make me a good person. I believe two steps are required to bring a recognition of privilege to completion. In the beginning, we must tear away the golden veil of our lofty livelihoods, and observe, and process, and learn about the world and its people outside of ourselves. We have to acknowledge others' unique differences from us, their struggles, their needs, their humanity. And once we have done this, a critical disquiet grows in one's insides. A burning sensation to run out alongside our fellow citizens, our peers, and our siblings in humanity, or to remain atop ivory towers and lord over our lavish ignorance. I know I am far from perfect, but given the choice, I choose to ride out and give all that I can to the fulfillment and preservation of life and liberty for all people. I cannot return nor exchange that which I was bestowed, but mark my words, I will use what I was given for every conceivable good: that is a promise.