Black Lives Matter. I write, stand, and live in solidarity with every person of color who has been unfairly targeted by both individuals and the systemic inequities in our society. Summer Twilight explores the idea of these labels - some artificial, some inherent - which we use to separate ourselves from one another. It's a concept I've spent a long time thinking about, but what is happening today reaffirms for me that this is not my lived existence. I live in privilege. Sure, I've faced challenges in my life; I've been discriminated against based on my gender and my disability. But I live in a society built for me and my whiteness. I have never been forced to change my culture, modify my speech, or fear for my life, no matter where in the country I live.
This is an experience of privilege; a status granted to me purely because of where I was born, the gender I identify as, and the race of my parents. My privilege is not my fault, but it is my responsibility. I have power. As a white person, as a woman, and as someone in the upper middle class. My voice is represented in many spaces. My perspective is known, understood, and respected by others in power. I do not fear law enforcement and other government bodies, and I have never been given a reason to. I have never had people cross the street to get away from me, or follow me around a store, stereotyping me as a criminal. I have never been afraid to dress the way I like, identify the way I want, or speak in my preferred manner. That is what privilege looks like. And so, with the power in my voice and the privilege in my life, I say again: Black Lives Matter. I stand with you. Comments are closed.
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AuthorBridget is the author of Summer Twilight, available for purchase now! Categories
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