How my eyes opened to Privilege

    I had an interesting experience last week and it stood out to me I think because we had just recently talked about privilege and how it is important to be aware of privilege in general but also our own privileges. I overheard a friends dad talk about how AI robots were starting to take over the workplace in factories and other areas, and how its only going to increase over time in more and more jobs around the world. He seemed to be very excited and in awe at how we are at a place with technology that this is even possible, which is a fair thought. I know it amazes and scares me at the same time. Although I couldn't help but think about all the people and families that would suffer from losing their jobs to a robot. 

    It hit me like a train that this man in fact did have privileges yet didn't seem to think about or be aware of them. I started thinking about it more and asked a question along the lines of "what about all the people who would lose their jobs?" he responded to that saying "There will be people that lose their jobs, but will then be able to find higher paying jobs in the long run." I was a little shocked at this response like it was as simple as that. I didn't keep the conversation going much longer but I did think about the privilege aspect long after the conversation. I thought about the people who couldn't afford to not work for a week let alone months on end while looking for another job because they may have mouths to feed and bills to pay. I thought about how some people may not have the privilege of having a savings account for situations like this because they live paycheck to paycheck. I was thinking about those people who would lose their jobs and may not have a college degree, so when looking for a new job it might seem impossible if that's what is expected of them in other areas in the workplace, especially to make okay money or be taken seriously. And the list goes on. Lastly I thought about how some people really aren't aware of some of their privileges because they haven't had certain hardships in their life so they forget that just because they have those things some people may not. I don't think its on purpose either, I just think its lack of knowledge that these things exist. 

    This man is actually a really great person who means a lot to me, and I don't know if it's fully his fault for not being aware of this if he has never had these conversations or been taught to be aware of the privileges he may have and how those privileges give him a head start when others don't have that luxury. I was grateful for this experience because it brought what we talked about in the classroom to life and opened my eyes more to this subject. I now have more of a desire to keep learning about the privileges I may have, and how that would effect my life and notice what certain things could be considered a privilege, big or small. I want to continue to gain knowledge on this so I am not blind to the way the world may work for me and not others, and vice versa.

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