The Responsibility of Privilege
Mateo Rull 12th grade
Social Justice Magazine Club
Frontier Regional School
Frontier Regional School
9/28/2017
“I am white. That’s all you know about me. Am I privileged based on that alone? And assuming I am, should I feel guilt? And what should I do about it?"
Stand up comedian Omar Ismail answers this long and ambiguous question in the most graceful way: comparing white privilege to height, liberating himself from the controversy (which is bound to happen regardless) of racial debate; debate that in fact should not exist at all. A debate that originated from sheer ignorance in times past and that somehow we haven’t managed as a species to overcome.
“Consider it this way, All I know about you is that you’re tall. Does that mean you don’t deserve the can of tuna on the higher shelf? Should you feel guilty about getting the tuna from the top shelf? Does that mean short people can’t get the tuna? Does that mean there aren’t any disadvantages of being tall?”
No, No, No and No.
What truly comes with privilege is a responsibility: First, of understanding that this privilege does not reflect in any way superiority. Once you allow those erroneous thoughts out of the consciousness, comes the second responsibility: realizing that privilege is something that, just like the rest of your person, you can’t help but possessing. For that same reason, there is no shame (or in this case guilt) for enjoying it. Third: life is not a competition, a game in which the winner gets it all and the rest get nothing. Being a winner in life goes beyond the privilege of a head start, of an advantage; for becoming a winner is independent on how we are born, and likewise completely dependent on how we are raised. The responsibility of being privileged then, is to help the underprivileged, with the same attitude that one may help clean the dishes after dinner; not because someone else is unable to, but because, if you did not have to go through the trouble of making the dinner in the first place, you might as well do it yourself.
In life, one can’t help but being oneself; and, more often than not, we are discontent with our physical appearance, intelligence, athletic ability; and even the color of our skin. What a fascinating species we are, that having such unprecedented cognitive and creative abilities, we tend to fixate on the most insignificant aspect of our existence: how we, and most people look. We must learn to embrace ourselves; and, with ourselves, the people around us. Regardless if they are black, white, ugly, handsome, tall, short, fat, skinny, straight, gay, trans, female, male, religious, nonbelievers, believers and anything we might or might not be. We are human, there should be no such thing as a privilege; but, because there is, the privileged bunch needs to realize the responsibilities that come with it, and consequently embark in the collective reformation of society.
Works Cited:
Yu, Heather Johnson. “Stand-up Comedian Explains White Privilege, Totally Nails It.” NextShark, 12 Sept. 2017, nextshark.com/omar-ismail-this-stand-up-comedian-explains-white-privilege-totally-nails-it/.
This is a perspective on the meaning of privilege in society which I have not often heard, but which rings truth and realism about life. What matters in the community is not all about who has the privilege and who doesn't; it's about what people do with that privilege. It's difficult to think that we must live in a world where not everyone has the same opportunities presented by privileges as implied in the blog. However, if people who can do more with their privileges aim their efforts towards helping other people, then it can really bring them together into one positive community.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your interpretation of the small response piece. You seem thoughtful upon the matter and your message regarding efforts for the welfare of communities seems to me only logical to consequent into a more accepting, positive community. In what kind of ways do you think can we high school students manage to contribute to this welfare?
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ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. Just like you said, there should not be such a thing as a privilege, but there is. There are still many people that judge people by their skin color, gender, sexual identity, physical appearance, religion, and sexual preference which makes some people more privileged than others. From my personal experience I have had people that have made completely wrong assumptions and judgments of me based on my skin color and that my family is not from around here. I have also had people look at me higher than other people based on the the physical differences between us. This is not something that people can control. There will always be other people that will see some people as better than others based on their physical appearance. Since the "privileged" can't control this, it is their responsibility to use it in a way that doesn't just benefit themselves.
ReplyDelete-Mark Tutelya
You're absolutely right Mark, how do you think people who in this case don't enjoy privilege can also contribute to their own cause for both equality and welfare?
DeleteI personally feel that now more then ever people are judge on appearance. clothing, skin, or weight people as of late have been to quick to jump to opinion on ones social or mental status, and I entirely agree with the clam Heather Jonson is trying to make here. To many people often clam the white could often signify privilege weather they be poor or wealthy and the same could be said for numerous other social classes and skin colors, and i think this should stop.
ReplyDeleteI love the way the idea of privilege is talked about in this text. It sheds light on the fact that just because you are privileged doesn't mean you need to reject the opportunities that came to you, even if you obtained them easier than others. I've had experience with guilt and privilege, i haven't grown up in a racist community where i feel unsafe or a place where i am discriminated against for my ideals, and i understand that i am lucky for that. I love that this text talks about how we all have privilege in some way and need to use ours to benefit others without.
ReplyDeleteThe way that privledge was discussed in this article, was with a very honest opinion and respectful tone, that was very agreeable. It is very true that with "priviledge", comes responsibilty and comparing privledge to height, was a great example. It made it very clear to a reader who may not understand truly what privledge is. I agree with all the statements made by the writer, and I especially appreciate the statement made that everyone benefits from others.
ReplyDeleteThis article exposes how prevalent privilege is and how there comes a responsibility with being in a privileged class in society. Helping out others who haven't been given as easy a life is something that any good samaritan should make a part of their life.
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