In the wake of the election choosing Donald Trump as our President-Elect, our nation has become more evidently polarized than we have visibly seen in years.
That does not mean that division and fear is new. Absolutely not. The United States has been plagued with inequality and prejudice since it’s infancy. But as time progressed, some groups achieved some form of safety. Slavery was abolished. Women earned the right to vote. Waves of immigrants entered the country and achieved citizenship.
But that does not mean these minor achievements eradicated hate. Blatant racism didn’t disappear, and institutionalized racism thrived. Women still do not earn equal pay to men, and are far too often treated like pieces of meat. Immigrants are still prejudiced against in the workplace and blamed for economic crisis.
But for many of us, we don’t see or feel such prejudice. The color of our skin, or our gender, or our socioeconomic status is worn as an armor. For most of my life I had no idea the benefits I rely on simply because of the color of my skin and the privileges my parents can afford to provide to me. My education, the clothes I wear, the technology I use, the vacations I take and so much more are opportunities and objects that so many people don’t have access to.
I believe in our Constitution, in our Declaration of Independence, our government, and our civil servants because I have privilege.
As of late we’ve seen writers pen articles expressing opinions about white privilege from every possible angle. But one consensus seems to be the same; calling out white privilege leaves a bitter taste of guilt in the mouths of so many white Americans. So much so that they (we) feel the need to renounce our privilege and explain in all forms why we aren’t as privileged as someone else.
I won’t lie to you, white privilege makes me uncomfortable. It makes me feel guilty and even a little resentful. But you know what? It should.
Only recently have I truly realized the aspects of privilege that I benefit from on a daily basis. I am not afraid to speak my mind because I am privileged in such a manner that leaves few repercussions for invoking my First Amendment rights.
Part of my privilege is that I get to choose to express my differences. My skin is a layer of protection that so many people are not afforded. While I choose to wear my difference in the form of a golden Star of David, others have no choice but to wear their differences simply because it is the color of their skin.
That brings up another interesting concept, which is the concept of choice. Recently, the safety pin phenomenon has gained popularity. Hell, I shared an article. The basic premise of wearing a safety pin is that you are announcing that you are an ally to those who currently face, or will face unsolicited prejudice. You are proclaiming through this safety pin that you will support a POC, a member of the LGBTQ community, a Muslim, a women, etc. who might, or is, currently facing acts of hate. I was very much on board with this idea and felt like it was important to share with others.
And then I read an article in the Huffington Post. It was called, Dear White People, Your Safety Pins Are Embarrassing. The author made the point that wearing a safety pin was a cop-out. He argued it was just a way to make people feel better about themselves and noncommittally say that they are an ally. I read the whole thing. And obviously felt uncomfortable. But I do not regret my decision to share this article about wearing a safety pin, I will continue to wear a safety pin, and I will continue to encourage others to wear a safety pin.
But I will clarify why you should wear a safety pin, and what commitments you must uphold if you choose to wear one.
When you put this piece of metal on your body, you are saying that you will act. An action doesn’t have to be joining a protest rally, physical fights or a verbal debate on social injustice. An action can be as simple as asking someone how their day was as a distraction, or physically putting your body between a victim and a perpetrator in an instance of hate speech. It is okay if you are afraid. But remember that many of the privileges you have, someone else doesn’t. The point of the safety pin is not just to make you feel better and pretend like you are going to be a part of the movement for change. The point of the safety pin is a physical piece of evidence stating that you are going to act on your promise of being an ally.
So, wear your safety pin if you choose. But don’t let it be a meaningless accessory. Wear your safety pin and fulfill your promise of using your privilege to support others who currently don’t have the same privileges. Be an active part of the movement to eradicate white privilege and foster equality and empowerment for all people.
