I grew up very privileged. From the time I was barely a toddler, I was enrolled in the “best” schools in San Francisco. It may seem crazy but yes, there is such a thing as the “right” preschool to send your child to in a city like mine. I suppose, like all things in life, there’s an elite way to teach a kid their ABCs. In San Francisco, as with many private school systems, they work somewhat as a feeder system: most of the kids in my preschool class went on to the same four or five private K-8 schools, then high schools and so on. It’s a secret world that many struggle to be a part of, and that is very difficult to understand from the outside. However, it’s the world I was born into, and it was the only thing I ever knew for a long time.

I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for my educational experience. Not a day goes by where I don’t feel the tangible effects of my fantastic education, and that I’m not incredibly thankful that my family gave it to me. Yes, I was given the privileged education I received. For example, I have always known that college would be an option for me. It wasn’t a matter of if I went to college; it was a matter of when and where. Unlike so many people, when it came time to apply, I simply picked where I wanted to go. It would have been unheard of for me not to attend college. My boarding school has a 100 percent college attendance rate. It was that simple.

There has never been a day when I had to worry about where my next meal would come from, if I had a safe place to sleep at night or if I had loving parents to take care of me. I grew up with fancy vacations, new clothes whenever we felt like shopping and even a debutante ball. I’ve been extremely blessed in abundance.

However, being a part of a world like this, I’ve noticed that so few people even make an attempt to understand others who have different lives than them. Ironically enough, the San Francisco public school system constantly struggles with funding and resources. While some children get to go to fancy preschools, others don’t go at all. Sometimes, it feels like very few people care. What I wish I could help everyone to understand is that being privileged isn’t an excuse for being ignorant. Just because someone leads a different life than you doesn’t mean it isn’t important to consider their position, and, if you’re in what might be a better one, work on behalf of them.

In today’s culture, I’ve found the word “privilege” has become somewhat of a hot-button issue. People talk about things like white privilege, yet those who don’t understand consider it to be a complaint versus a serious issue. It’s so easy these days to get wrapped up in our own lives and have the cries of others turn into background noise. However, with the administration we have in the White House and serious oppression so many are facing, it is vital we do not let that happen.

The gifts I have been given: healthcare, an amazing education and the chance to pursue any dream I want to do not separate my life from those around me. My family’s success does not make others’ struggles a consequence of “laziness.” If anything, the fact that people like me don’t struggle with basic problems like these makes it our responsibility to be aware — to be active.

Have dialogue with one another. Really hear others’ stories. Learn what’s going on in your local communities and nation-wide. It’s probable that you’ll find that your voice is needed your help is needed. If you have it, use your privilege to make society and the world better.