Week 9 – Thinking about my position of privilege
how I can just pick up and rent a hotel room for a night or two because my house doesn’t have water or sewer
how I can afford to heat my home and turn up the thermostat without worrying about how I will pay my gas bill
how I can take a sick day off from work and not worry it will affect my paycheque
how I can be honest with my boss when I make a mistake at work and I know I won’t get fired
how I can afford to put gas in my car, even a full tank, to get to where I want to be
how I can be impulsive and get out of the house and drive to the nearest tea house for a fancy hot beverage anytime
how I can take my pets to the vet when they are sick
how I can go to medical specialist and pay hundreds of dollars not knowing if my insurance will cover it
how I can throw things away without worrying what to do if I need it tomorrow
how I think about buying things I don’t really need
how I run my kitchen tap and clean water comes out
how I know my roof won’t leak when it rains
how if I get sick or injured my daughter will be able to survive on my savings
how I have a support system around me I can reach out to for help in the same city
how I can buy myself a laptop and pay for it on my credit card when I needed one for school
how I can qualify for credit at the bank
how I don’t get followed around at a store
how I am acknowledged with a hello when I walk down the sidewalk
how when I had an accident once people stopped to help me and called an ambulance
how doors are held for me and don’t hit me in the face
how I am not usually selected for additional screening at the airport
how I have been pulled over by police and got off with a warning
how I have never spent overnight in a hospital
how I can go to the dentist if I have a toothache
how I can afford to get prescription eyeglasses and regular eye exams
how I have access to any medical health professional when I need it
how I have a hospital only a five minute drive away
how I live in a neighbourhood where I don’t always lock my doors at night
how I don’t know anyone personally who has been a victim of gun violence
how I can get help for my mental health with a phone call
how I can afford N95 masks and an air purifier
how I can afford to buy organic foods
how I can afford to travel to another country
how I am able to get a passport issued with no question
how I never had to steal baby formula or diapers
how sometimes I sleep in a tent by choice – for fun
how I can buy what I need at the grocery store and not worry how much it costs
how I can walk down the street and see police and not feel afraid
how I can go to university
how I can open the fridge and know there is food in there I can eat today and the rest of the week
how I was never forcibly removed from my family
how my parents were allowed to practice their respective religions without persecution
how I can publicly disagree with people in public office and not fear reprisals
how I don’t fear a missile landing on my house
how I can post this blog today because I had access to the internet
how I can sit here and know that not everyone has these privileges and still choose to do nothing with my own power
and my life will not change
Imagine a world where everyone actually used their privilege to help those who are without….
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