Birthday Privilege!!!

Today is my birthday! I have been blessed to (as the old folk say) "be in the land of the livin' for one mo' year".

As I continue this journey of life, I think it's appropriate for me to count my blessings (term used loosely)... Or better yet, within the contentious climate of today, I shall count my privileges. (Blessings and privilege is different.)

Right, so... I talk about privilege often, specifically how White privilege and Gender privilege impact me negatively. The list to follow in no way negates the impact of those privileges on my life. This list specifically addresses the fact that while I am SERIOUSLY affected by White privilege or Gender privilege, there are individuals who have to deal with both of those and then some and then some and then some... Anyway... Here we go

(List not ranked... Stream of consciousness)

1. I am cisgender. As a cis-woman of color, although the statistics surrounding rates of assault, abuse, murder, sexual violence for my gender identity is quite high, the data on the lack of safety that transgender folks endure is catastrophic. (Goggle this and learn something new) I also have the privilege of being who I am...as I know myself to be without adverse consequence. I don't have to justify myself or my gender. I don't have to fear using the restroom. I don't have to be forced into counseling in order to transition towards my truth. I don't have to fear incarceration in a facility mismatched with my gender identity.

2. Regardless of preference or orientation, I am involved in a heterosexual relationship and therefore benefit from heteronormative privilege. The broader world around me openly recognizes the way I love, display affection, my projected sexual preference and so on and so forth. My husband and I can kiss in public and know that if we are accosted, it won't be because of that act. I don't fear persecution or prosecution based on my preference or sexual orientation. I haven't had to fear being disowned or kicked out of my family or family member's homes because of who I love or was attracted to. (Please take a moment to familiarize yourself on the data surrounding LGBTQIA+ youth and homelessness)

3. I've got all the damn degrees. (3.5) I've got all these damn degrees and have only ever attended private schools. Regardless of the cost or impact on my family, I have always been enrolled in "higher end" educational experiences. I've never struggled for educational resources. I haven't had teachers forced to teach me based on testing standards. I've always had 1on1 focused classroom attention. I can code switch with the best of them- with this however also comes the microaggressions of being 1 and only or 1 of few, but I still had security that others who looked like me largely didn't.

4. Socioeconomic stability- my parents and grandparents (aunts and uncles) worked real hard so that I could grow up and not have to see fiscal struggle. Not that I thought I was rich as the folks I went to school with, but that I new I had a great deal more financial options than the folks I went to church with. I didn't truly understand the value of a dollar until I was fresh out of college trying to live with my "ass on my shoulders". (Shoutout to everyone who loaned/gave me money or support in my 20s) Being able to buy food is a privilege. Knowing that you have a reliable mode of transportation, housing, technology, etc... Being able to save money...That's all privilege. Some of that you can work for, but for some, the hole they dug is to deep, and for many the hole was dug for them and it keeps getting deeper.

5. I work in higher education and I'm salaried . Yeah I know everybody ain't supposed to have my job or do what I do BUT working in higher education has its perks. I am privileged to work for an institution that does not police what I think or how I live. No one is telling me I can't discuss race at work. My opinions matter. I can go to conferences. I can go to school for more degrees at a discount. I got a bomb ass health insurance plan. They making it rain on my retirement. I get all these vacation days. (Please know that I bust my ass at my job. It isn't easy work but the perks are quite nice)

6. Technology- Between my husband and me (from work to home) there are 15 screens. Many people think of technology as luxury. I have one question...How many employers still take paper applications? The answer is few. Most folks want you to apply online. That requires knowledge of and access to technology. If you are applying for higher profile positions you need vitas/cv/resume/cover letters (technology required). If you want to pay your bills without paying extra fees (technology required) school (technology) news and weather (technology) Starbucks (my bad, went to far)

7. Ability- I currently have the use of all my limbs. I have not been diagnosed with anything terminal. I don't have an degenerative diseases or conditions. I can typically walk (privilege) into any building and know that I will be able to get around it. I don't have to plan my day around medication or the availability of assistance. I don't have to fight with an insurance company or my employer to protect my standard of care.

8. I have religions privilege. I identify as Christian, despite the lies folks out here telling about Christians in the US being oppressed, I'm out here benefitting from all this Christian privilege. My religious holidays are recognized by the world around me. My govt is filled with people who profess to share my faith. Their are laws, currency, restaurants, and major stores that adjust their operations to include worship services and my dietary restrictions (lent menus, blue laws about alcohol, Social Injustice Chicken closed on Sunday)

This is a broad overview of my privileges. I know that there are plenty more categories and sub categories that I can flush out eventually.

I am wholeheartedly thankful for my life. I am grateful for the experiences and challenges. I am glad that I worked through this list today because it not only shows me my privilege, but it reminds me that there is work to do AND I, in all of these areas of privilege, have the perfect platform to do that work.

I've had an amazing 34 years on this earth... I hope the (Lord willing) long remainder of my time can be used to make the world AMAZING for everyone else too.

Peace and Blessings MOJO