Priviledge

The articles and discussions last week certainly opened my eyes to the issue of priviledge that I receive. I never thought much about how being a male, especially a white, middle-class male, opened up numerous opportunities for me. I had never thought much about not having to worry about being watched closely in a convenient store because of my skin color, or being treated differently at a car lot because of my gender or even for being given professional freedoms because of a college degree I had obtained.

I have mentioned before that I grew up in a very poor home environment and I do remember the lack of respect I received as a child because of my upbringing and poverty. Poverty didn't determine who I was inside. As I have been fortunate enough to grow professionally, and have been blessed to earn a living far beyond any I deserve, I do know that with prosperity comes priviledge. Those who can afford it most receive the most perks. As a white, heterosexual, middle-class, Christian, male, I am rarely discriminated against or devalued.

This weekend for example, I had my taxes done at a reputable tax office. I had an appointment and waited for my agent to become available. My wait lasted over an hour. As she approached me, she appologized profusely, even though I made no mention of the wait. After completing my taxes, the agent knocked off a significant fee from my bill for the wait. Would I have received that same perk had I been a man of color? What about if I had been unemployed for part of the previous year? Would I have received this same discount 10 years earlier when my income was significantly less?

Too often we are judged by our skin color, gender, educational attainment and wealth.