Power over privilege.

I had quite an interesting upbringing in my days. Privilege would definitely not be a common word in my childhood, though it was more than made up for in Power. My family has never been well off or rich. At best middle-class in the best of times. In the years up until about 7 years old my family was surrounded with bikers, alcohol and drugs. My mother and father divorced when i was 2 years old so it was always the strength of my mother that got us through good times and bad. She is truly an amazing woman that I credit who I am today to. No matter where we were in life though, we never felt like we couldn't do something. She had a way of instilling "power" into us in any situation. A lot of it was by example, she didn't put up with things. When relationships got abusive, she packed up and left. We moved to a town in the middle of nowhere with no power, running water, indoor plumbing, log house. We stayed with friends and did what we needed to survive. She had the power in herself and in us to get through. She started her own business with nothing and supported her three kids in a small town. Race, was never an issue because in such a small town it was all white kids, but poverty was an issue at times, but we never felt "powerless." My mom instilled a feeling of always being able to do whatever we wanted, regardless of lack of "privilege." With the power she gave us and showed us over the years, I learned from her and took my future by the horns and ran with it. Sure, some things were hard and difficult, but I always knew I could do it if I really wanted to. I continually thank my mom for instilling that power in me to overcome obstacles.

In the video that we watched, watching the Boys of Baraka telling us how strong and smart they were, I was like, "Hell Yeah!" It gives hope in dire situations which is what gets us through and gives us the power that we all need. There are so many factors that lead children to feel powerless and unprivileged and I can't hope to understand all of them yet, but a part of going into this profession is wanting to share some of the power that my mom gave me. The ability to fight for what you want, overcome obstacles and do what you need. I have so much to learn about everyone, where they came from, what they are facing. I know I have a daunting task ahead of me but I am excited to get out there and try. I know I will fail, sometimes miserably, but I have confidence in the power within me to get through, learn and share.

Being white and male does have it's advantages in society and comfort, especially more in the big cities. More so in the US than other countries, some areas, not the best thing in the world. I am sure that more situations that my "privilege" will come out but what Rian said really hit home in class. He said that it is not a matter of reacting to that privilege now and feeling guilt, but it is how you use the power and privilege when you have it is what matters.

anyways... getting too tired and all my words are getting jumbled and not making any sense anymore. Time to go do some other bit of homework.