Privilege is a deep and complex space. My story is very similar to yours.
I do however feel that even have been born into a white family, in Canada was my 1st Privilege. If I place myself in the life of someone of less privilege, I may still have loving parents, or at least one, but my life may not have played out as it has. I may have been a starving child in another country where another color (or being female) is not respected as white folks. In our own country, history teaches us that our Indigenous counterparts weren't even considered people, but savages.
Yup. I do indeed consider my skin color and country when I think of my privilege. Its not my 'fault and I don't apologize for it but I am very aware of that part of it.
I really enjoyed reading your piece Ken. You're an awesome guitar teacher. And having experienced your skill was another privilege.
Privilege is complex, for sure. Being born here is definitely a privilege that most people take for granted. Maybe that's why statistically speaking, immigrants do better here than minorities who were born here. They don't take it for granted. The fact that these people had the gumption to pick up everything and come here seems to say that they also have it in them to be successful at living here. Asians outperform whites in many areas and are less likely to drop out of school than white kids are. Again, this is presumably because of how they were raised. These things go way beyond the colour of one's skin.
Privilege is a deep and complex space. My story is very similar to yours.
I do however feel that even have been born into a white family, in Canada was my 1st Privilege. If I place myself in the life of someone of less privilege, I may still have loving parents, or at least one, but my life may not have played out as it has. I may have been a starving child in another country where another color (or being female) is not respected as white folks. In our own country, history teaches us that our Indigenous counterparts weren't even considered people, but savages.
Yup. I do indeed consider my skin color and country when I think of my privilege. Its not my 'fault and I don't apologize for it but I am very aware of that part of it.
I really enjoyed reading your piece Ken. You're an awesome guitar teacher. And having experienced your skill was another privilege.
Thanks for the kind words, Allison.
Privilege is complex, for sure. Being born here is definitely a privilege that most people take for granted. Maybe that's why statistically speaking, immigrants do better here than minorities who were born here. They don't take it for granted. The fact that these people had the gumption to pick up everything and come here seems to say that they also have it in them to be successful at living here. Asians outperform whites in many areas and are less likely to drop out of school than white kids are. Again, this is presumably because of how they were raised. These things go way beyond the colour of one's skin.
And it is my privilege to have you as a friend.
The privilege is mine, Mike!
Dang, now I have another privilege I need to be mindful of...