So here's the thing: there is nothing more important in this world than recognizing our own privilege. I'm serious, the only way for anybody to even hope for some sort of equality is to understand the systematic advantages working for some groups and against others. We need to recognize when things like our skin color, or gender, or sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status allow us to reach farther than others. We need to understand this important idea, but we also need to understand that there may be more to this issue than meets the eye.

As I'm writing this I'm thinking, as I often do, about Bo Burnham. In his recent stand up special, "Make Happy," this comedian mentions his luck and privilege in getting to the sold-out-venue status that he currently inhabits. While I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the fact that he understands just how far his tall white maleness has taken him, I also feel slightly off about this whole situation, and I think that this "offness" has to do more with what wasn't said here. Which is, specifically, how freaking talented this guy is. He's insanely creative, intelligent, and he knows how to write a damn comedy show. And yes, I understand that there are a ton of talented people in this world who never get their shot at the big time, and that totally sucks, but it seems so wrong to say that the only reason Bo Burnham has made it is luck.

But what exactly was he supposed to do about it? It's not like our society has any idea how to process people talking about their own talent. Think about it: when is the last time that you actually heard a celebrity or public figure say something about their own natural skill? Probably very rarely, because anyone who says anything like that comes off as either an egotistical maniac, or just plain insane. Why is it that it's okay to talk about our privilege and luck, but not our skill? Why is it that we can't talk about both, recognizing that we never would have gotten where we are without our privilege, but also wouldn't have been able to stay there without our talent?

I would also like to know why some people today still seem to think that we are living in some artistic wasteland. You know the people I'm talking about, the ones who say things like "music just hasn't been good since The Beatles," or something else along those lines. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love The Beatles, but do you really think that four white guys like them didn't get a little bit lucky as well? Not that their music isn't incredible, but it's also unfairly held as some pure, unreachable goodness. Respect where respect is due, but have you heard modern artists like M.I.A? Childish Gambino? Beyonce? Music was great back then, and it is great now too, if maybe a little different. Why can't we understand this?

The answer might just have something to do with the aversion from talent recognition that I talked about earlier. Maybe it's a stretch, but I can't help but to make a connection between our inability to articulate our own skills, and the seeming failure to see the wonderful abundance of talent and innovation all around us. Have we become so fixated on modestly that we no longer believe in the existence of talent at all? Or is it because we are so tuned into the idea of our own privilege that we can't understand the way that the same privilege works flipped around. Are we unable, or unwilling, to recognize the sheer determination, talent, and patience that is required of any minority artist trying to conquer industries that are stacked against them from the start? Maybe it's a little of all, or a little of none, but either way, I don't think it can hurt for us all to just be a little bit more confident.

So next time you have the chance, scream it to the world: I'm talented and I know it! Own your skills and your passions, like the beautiful artist that you are, whatever form that art may take. Don't worry about coming off as conceited, just own what you have. And recognize the talent around you, especially if it comes from someone of a different privilege group than you. Mostly, just try to understand how lucky you are to be participating in the artistic renaissance that happens every single day. With this information, be modest and grateful, but maybe every once in while, be a little bit self-centered. In the end, there's really nothing wrong with that.