A Friend Named Privilege

I have a friend named Privilege.

She follows me everywhere I go.

Privilege is a good friend.

She makes me feel safe.

Privilege always makes sure I’m represented.

When I was little, she always made sure I had a doll that looked like me.

When we open up Instagram, we always find people who look like me.

Privilege protects me from being harassed by ignorant people.

She makes it easy for me to go shopping alone.

She makes sure law enforcement will treat me with respect.

Privilege has many other friends too.

Some of her friends deny their friendship with her.

Some of her friends think of her as an imaginary friend.

But I know Privilege is real.

Having privilege does not make you racist.

Having privilege does not make you a bad person.

However, you are lying to yourself if you ignore or deny your privilege.

Ignoring your privilege is harmful.

Ignoring your privilege is tone-deaf.

Ignoring your privilege is unacceptable.

Ignoring your privilege is a privilege.