::defining privilege through poetry::

I wrote this poem right before I studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain. I have many posts that I draft and don't publish right away; mostly because I usually have multiple ideas flowing at the same time. I choose the one I think fits best for my life then and the rest hang out in draft form until needed. This is one of those posts that was written and stored away. Now I believe it's time for it to see the light. I'm open to hearing feedback and criticism. This is just what I was thinking and feeling at the time.

 What Is Privilege?

It's a word my mom always used
When I was a child
"It's a privilege not a right"
"Your privileges are taken away"
I learned privilege wasn't about entitlement
It was something I was given
But it could also be retracted

Now I'm older
Privilege is a word I connect with
Social justice and race relations
I think of white privilege
The underprivileged of our society
The privilege I have been given
As part of who I am









I'm about to study abroad in Spain
My grandparents are helping to pay for it
I am going to walk the Camino de Santiago
My parents bought me a new suitcase and an expensive backpack
I don't deserve this
How can I accept these things
How can I be so privileged
When so many are not
Can I do this
In good faith
Because of my privilege?

I will be a pilgrim
But a privileged pilgrim
A pilgrim who goes with her esteemed Christian college
With all her nice gear in a high-quality backpack
Is it wrong?
I don't know
I try to be grateful and to be wise
I want to get the most out of my experience
I want to live my semester to the fullest
I want to live the cliches because there is truth in them
It's a privilege to live with these wonderful girls













My privilege means that I get to attend
The best Christian college in the States
I can study abroad for a whole semester
I can double major and finish in four years instead of three
I can come home for the holidays
I have a computer to type on
I have the freedom to express my opinions
I do have privilege but
As my mom taught me long ago
It can be taken away

So I want to live in this moment
I want to be present
I want to laugh and love now
I want to listen hard
I want to see everything and to hear all I can
I want to learn and be changed by my knowledge
I want to talk to my friends
I want to play this game and capture that photo
I want to do all the things I am able because
I'm not guaranteed
It will always be that way
I have my privilege
For now

It's a privilege to lead these girls in a small group and carve pumpkins with them!

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