i have been thinking a lot about privilege
It has been over three months since we started living in pandemic-land and the world changed. We were told to stay home. Stay safe.
So, we did. Once my older boys were home from Peru we hunkered down as a family. The kids had online school. There was work from home. We did puzzles, projects around the house and had dinner as a family almost every night. Yes, we were worried about COVID. Yes, we were worried about what was to come. And yes, we missed our family, friends and the familiar bustle of life. However, it is not lost on me that my family is in an extremely privileged position. We have been able to retreat to our safe, warm, well-fed and loving home without fear of violence, fear of hunger and fear of losing the roof over our heads. Furthermore, when we do leave our home for groceries or work or to get outside, we do not fear what might happen. This is not true for so many and has been this way for a long time.
The shocking murder of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer on May 25th was broadcast for the world to see and ignited massive protests throughout the United States and all around the world. Social media has been full of stories from Black people sharing their experiences. Mothers sharing what they tell their boys to do to avoid interactions with police and how to handle things if they are stopped. Many brave individuals have stepped forward to share their experiences with racism. Racism and inequality aren’t new. This isn’t a problem only in the United States. It is in Canada and around the world. COVID exaggerated the already massive gaps in our society creating a deeper chasm than what previously existed.
I don’t have any answers but I have learned even more over the past few weeks as many have so generously shared their experiences. I am continuing to learn. I am continuing to have meaningful conversations with my kids about racism and privilege. I can’t change the colour of my skin. I can’t change my background and how I grew up. But I can use my voice to call out injustice and advocate for change.
My Dad used to say that a family is only as strong as its weakest link. We will not be strong as a society until we collectively work together to lift each other up. As long as there are people who are marginalized because of the colour of their skin, people who have been mis-treated by our government for decades and people who are hungry and don’t have a safe home we will continue to struggle.
We all win when we are strong together and no one is left behind.
Today I continue to listen. I continue to learn. And, I continue to influence the next generation.
We can do better. We will do better.
In case you are looking for some resources:
I watched this short YouTube video on privilege with my kids and had a great conversation afterwards.
We also watched the CBC documentary “The Skin We’re In” which chronicles racism in Canada.
A series of Instagram slides on how white people can spend their privilege shared by Avery Francis the founder of Canadian-based tech recruiter buildwithbloom.com
A checklist on white privilege shared on Instagram by CityLine host, Tracy Moore
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