The following is my response to Rob May, millionaire CEO and co-founder of Talla and Backupify, who was “feeling the Bern”:

Dear Mr. May,

I understand you worked tirelessly to get where you are and to earn the wealth that you did; you made difficult decisions and incredible sacrifices to make it to the one percent. In no way do I want to undermine your success and achievement. Furthermore, sometimes I also feel that Bernie's language surrounding the one percent can be overly critical. What I think is more important, however, is our need to assess the state of our country and use our human compassion to recognize that those less fortunate, due to the rigged system, can't always "make it out" with just hard work. There are deeply-rooted, institutionalized systems that dig deeper than many of us in more fortunate circumstances have never felt or realized. For example, although I come from a low-income family, I had the immense privilege of attending a very well-funded public school, which in turn developed me into the strong student I am today and gave me access to a college education. However, in areas of extreme poverty, there are high rates of violence and virtually no funding for public education and community resources (parks, libraries, etc.). I believe it is not a lack of ability that separates many of these children, but rather a lack of opportunity, development and nourishment. Additionally, college just isn't as affordable as it used to be. Instead of tuition in the thousands, we're talking tens of thousands of dollars per year (sometimes even per semester!), and at some institutions, hundreds of thousands of dollars for a full four-year education.

Again, I recognize that you have worked incredibly hard to get where you are. Unfortunately, (white) privilege has little to do with individual intent/hard work—it is the status or recognition you receive from others (over your colored peers) simply because of your perceived social group (such as your race). If you ever have a chance, I would highly recommend reading Johnson's "Privilege, Power, and Difference". In this short book, he articulates so well why we need to stop the culture of blame and rather work to change the system. I do agree, Bernie may perpetuate this culture of blame at times by pegging the issues of income inequality on the one percent; rather than accusing the most wealthy of not doing enough, he should simply focus his efforts on creating and passing legislation that supports redistribution of wealth (which is one of his platform's priorities). I think we need to adjust our current economic model because I don't believe having millions to billions of dollars is necessary to access a comfortable and fulfilling life, and it seems odd to me that America's poverty and low-income families are growing, while there is so much wealth becoming increasingly concentrated. I am sorry you felt targeted and victimized. I truly don't think that it is acceptable to promote a culture of blame; however, please understand and recognize (white) privilege and how you benefit from it, regardless of how hard you have worked and how kind or good of a person you are.

Mr. May, I respect your diligence, intelligence and creativity. You truly have the qualities that make the United States of America innovative and great! But hard work is not a valid reason for turning our backs on those in great need.

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Since his original post, Rob May has followed up in an interview and with additional commentary, stating that his first comment was not meant to target those of very low-income and that he was speaking more generally with regards to millennials who earned degrees that “weren’t useful." That is an article and argument for another day, but I do want to note that college should not simply be about earning degrees that are “useful” (however that may be defined)—it’s about developing a generation of educated and informed citizens who are passionate about whatever profession they choose, whether that be in the arts, social sciences, business, etc, without bankrupting them. If you are from a low income family, you shouldn’t have to feel obligated to study something that you believe will be lucrative—all careers in the U.S. are vital to creating an effective system, and undermining certain degrees or pressuring those of low-income to pursue specific careers is limiting.

Rob May declined endorsing a presidential candidate but said he was a Rand Paul supporter previously. Who are you voting for, and why? Feel free to share in the comments below, but please remember to be respectful of differing opinions! #FeelingtheBern