How many of us really know that it exists? Or even what it means?
As someone who chose to give her life to other cultures and other people for nine months, I am a walking example of white privilege and the naivety of the American culture. After leaving my home and my comforts, there’s only one sentence I can think to describe the way I live:
It’s a privilege, not a right
How many of us have truly experienced this, firsthand? How many of our hearts have been broken for the people who live not just without privileges, but without rights?
My heart aches for the people that look at me and only see money. My heart aches every time a young girl is too embarrassed to speak to me, because she assumes that I am better than her. My heart aches each time I am made a priority over someone of equal importance, but different skin tone.
My heart aches
The Philippines is full of these people. Men who don’t stop staring, because my team is considered more beautiful than the women here. Women who can’t stop looking down, because they don’t feel good enough in comparison to us. Children who immediately shy away, because they’ve never seen a white person and they don’t know how to act, besides in awe.
Because of my skin, I could break the law and be okay. Because of my skin, I could get a better job, go to more schools, and have more money than anyone here.
Because of my skin, I can CHOOSE my life…. because of my skin, they can’t.
This not a thing to be ashamed of, but it is something to be aware of. I have seen men who have worked their whole lives, and still sleep on the sidewalk. Women who have sacrificed everything for their children, and are still forced to give them up. Children who would rather sleep on the gym floor than go home. Every aspect of my life has been a blessing that I never saw until now. Every bit of me, from my skin color, to my nationality, was chosen by God so that I could be in this country, today sharing His love. All of this so that I could realize once again that,
It’s a privilege, not a right, to have been given grace from God
Daily I am reminded not to take God’s grace for granted…. not to stop seeing His blessings. We so often forget what it might really mean to really have nothing, and choose apathy instead of compassion. When people say there is no such thing as white privilege, they are devaluing the lives of people who have suffered all over the world – people who have been denied jobs, healthcare, and even just kindness because of the color of their skin. Before I came on the Race, I was one of these people. I assumed that white privilege existed somewhere, maybe a little bit in America, but I was ignorant to it’s painful reality. I’ve already spent a month at Valenzuela Christian School, and I see my privileges daily. Being able to recognize that I will never comprehend the lives of the students I talk to every day has been a little bit of a painful reality. I will never know what it’s like to grow up the way they did, because even at my worst, I had more than their best.
Yet, in the face of this, the Filipino people are some of the sweetest I’ve ever met. They are gracious and kind. Instead of being hateful towards white people, they respect them and while I do not want to be idolized, I admire the humility that resounds among them.
As I continue to reach the the Filipino people, I will do my best to break the walls placed up by society. I will try to remedy this distorted value of human life. I will be a minister to God’s surpassing love for ALL His sons and daughters. I will speak life into the lives of these people, and if there’s one thing I desire to show these kids, it is that God’s grace is poured out equally to all of His children.
As you continue to go about your daily lives, I am challenging you to lower yourself – to humble yourself enough to realize that understanding doesn’t just come from knowledge, but from experience. My predispositions and opinions are meaningless on this side of the world, because there is a reality that has forced itself into my life.
God has shown me over and over again that my story is meaningless, but His story, through me, is power.
Use what God has given you. Don’t feel guilty for who you are, or what you’ve been blessed with. Be thankful that you have the PRIVILEGE to travel the world and share the gospel. USE your education, your money, and even the color of your skin to pour out God’s love. YOU have been given opportunity that so many people lack. You have been MADE ABLE to do things that others only dream of doing.
YOU have been given power, and Christ is calling you to use it.
