In America today, a divide exists among our people. Pride, prejudice, and privilege have wedged their way between friendships, wrecked havoc in families and allowed our society to crumble from within.
As a 20-year-old white female, how could I possibly relate to this or speak on this subject?
That’s my point. It doesn’t apply to me, therefore it’s not a problem right?
Wrong.
Denying prejudice, racism, misogyny, and homophobia because it is not happening to you is one of the most devastating and detrimental mindsets you can have as both an American and a human being.
The dismissal of privilege damages our country and leaves our people as damaged goods.
Here’s a little insight into what privilege looks like:
Privilege looks like the ability to dismiss the feelings of others because you’ve never had those feelings.
Privilege looks like the only thing being threatened by your presidential candidate not winning is your pride, not your life.
Privilege looks like being able to remain apathetic and indifferent in the face of blatant disrespect and disregard of the rights of a fellow human being because your rights are not in question.
Freedom grants a lot of things, and it is a double-edged sword. With the freedom to feel also comes the freedom to dismiss those feelings.
As a 20-year-old white female, I have privilege. Privilege has power.
I also have a platform. I will use the power of my privilege for good on that platform and stand with my fellow red blood shedding humans in the fight for what is right.
I will not claim to be color-blind and turn a blind eye to the cries and plights of people of color whose souls have suffered and remained enslaved because of the color of their skin.
I do not care if you have a gay friend if you refuse to allow him/her/ze/hir to use the bathroom they need to.
And I refuse to accept the answer of “He was just joking.” It’s not funny.
We each have a voice. We do not all have privilege.
And that is the reality we live in America.
Please put away your pride, prejudice, and privilege.
It's time to use your rights to do what is right.
Make America united again, not divided.
