If you were blessed in any of the following ways, in your upbringing and formative experience, you were privileged.
Felt loved, seen, heard, safe, welcomed, protected, valued, worthy of good things
Had a person in your life whom you could count on for unconditional kindness
Had confidence in any one thing about yourself
Had a person who intentionally supported safety, wellness, connection, and peace for you
Believed that you were capable of creating change and achieving good things
Enjoyed a nourishing connection to a family member, community, group, god, team, hobby, passion, strength or talent – faith in anything good- a loving higher power
Had an adult in your life who was deeply interested in who and how you were, intentionally seeking to know you and– who believed and communicated to you: “You have what it takes”
Had an affirming adult to comfort you in times of distress
Could count on wholesome guidance and direction from someone in charge of caring for you
I was privileged (my life made easier by things I did not earn or create for myself) in the following ways:
A house in a safe area, clothing, food, orthodontia, education, access to intellectual enrichment, an able body- which was also tall and thin (though it was often the source of mockery and abuse), an ability to learn in traditional ways, not being black (I do believe in white privilege, only I was also not considered white, growing up)
I firmly believe I would trade any of those to have been loved deeply and fiercely and undeniably by any person whom I relied on to teach me about myself and love and belonging- to have been safe and free to want, feel, and dream for myself.
