“When somebody asks you to 'check your privilege' they are asking you to pause and consider how the advantages you’ve had in life are contributing to your opinions and actions, and how the lack of disadvantages in certain areas is keeping you from fully understanding the struggles others are facing and may in fact be contributing to those struggles. It is a big ask, to check your privilege. It is hard and often painful, but it’s not nearly as painful as living with the pain caused by the unexamined privilege of others. You may right now be saying 'but it’s not my privilege that is hurting someone, it’s their lack of privilege. Don’t blame me, blame the people telling them that what they have isn’t as good as what I have.' And in a way, that is true, but know this, a privilege has to come with somebody else’s disadvantage—otherwise, it’s not a privilege.”
― Ijeoma Oluo, So You Want to Talk About Race
This is America by Childish Gambino
Note: some images are graphic if watching the video
What We Carry Off the Sea: Zong Survivor’s Child Takes a Bath by Alexis V. Jackson
People have an identity comprising many social categories. Which identities have you thought about and which have you ignored or not considered? What identities were you born with? What identities did you choose? What identities have people assumed about you (even if you are not a member of that group)? What dominant identities have you internalized (even if you are not a member of that group)?
After today's challenge work:
Did you have any ‘a-ha’ moment?
Did you feel any discomfort?
What will you do differently based on your challenge today?