ARE YOU PRIVILEGED?

Privilege is when you think that something is not a problem because it’s not a problem for you. – David Gaider.

Truly, ups and downs are an undetachable part of our lives, however, the level at which each person goes through these times varies widely. What your friend sees as a form of relief might be the worst form of punishment you can withstand; the 1000 naira given to a needy who hasn’t eaten anything tangible for 3 days might be punishment to a private university undergraduate who normally receives 3000 or more for feeding per day. The same way, the empathy and encouragement that will be given to a hustler from a poor background might be more than that which his counterpart, who was born with a silver spoon, will enjoy. This difference in the degree of comfort and severity of our life conditions is what I call PRIVILEGE.

In race, gender, tribe, education, …; there’s virtually, always some form of favouritism somewhere; everywhere, which is not meant to be enjoyed by everyone. Even without going to the public, there are some things which are limited to certain members of our families. Like the case of the first and last born of the family, especially in places like Nigeria. During childhood, the first born gets more portions of household chores and endures more punishments compared to the last born. But through adolescence to adulthood, that first born enjoys the privilege of making decisions that matter even if the younger siblings are not content with it. It’s the same psychology when we compare those who have access to certain resources and those who don’t.

However, a lot of us do not understand privileges this way because we’ve been taught that it’s either you have or you don’t; it’s either a yes or a no. And that’s why many of us do not recognize the little things we enjoy, which others don’t, as privileges. Unfortunately, this has done a lot of damage to our mindset which affects us in literally every aspect of our lives. The poor does not render help to the rich without expecting a handsome reward in return because ‘he has money.’ The rich also gives nothing for free because ‘he could have been rich too if he had worked hard like me.’ Except in the case of businesses where paying for services rendered is integral as that’s what keeps resources in circulation, this notion is a destroyer!

What then is the remedy?

Recognize any ability you have; anything you enjoy, which others don’t, as a privilege and leverage on it for good.

Yes, it might be very challenging especially in cases when those abilities you possess are little, compared to the abilities of others. You might be going through a whole lot of garbage which would make those things seem worthless, yes. But when you begin to see your privileges for what they are and work on them, those ‘big’ things which keep draining you will start to disappear bit by bit.

Recognize your privileges and navigate your ways through them. Make them a gold mine of contentment for yourself and make them beneficial to others too.

The vibrant student in your class might be going through secret moments of depression which you can’t handle; that dull student might have creative potentials that can employ all you vibrant students. You both have advantages you enjoy; recognize and live through them!

The things you enjoy presently, no matter how little they are, are a part of your life right now but they may not stay with you forever. So, recognize, own and make them beneficial to yourself and others while you can.