I have privilege! See it's not that hard to say...

I have privilege! See it's not that hard to say....but let me start from the beginning. I grew up with a single mom who didn't graduate from high school until she completed her GED (the same year that I graduated). I put myself through university...I mean the whole thing...I moved out when I was 19...I worked part time jobs...I came out of my PhD owing more than $100,000. I'm a divorced woman. I came out of the closet later in life...it wasn't all roses with my family. My brother is also gay...it didn't go that well for him either. I've had to work extremely hard to get the job that I have. I was denied tenure. I overcame and am now interim Dean of my faculty. I was in an abusive relationship for several years during grad school. My wife had stage 3 breast cancer. I HAVE PRIVILEGE! To say this is not to deny that we have had to work hard. To say this is not to say that everything we have was handed to us. To say this is to acknowledge that we are treated differently than others in the exact same circumstances. My son (who is black) forgot to put something on the cash when he was checking out and was accused of trying to steal. I did the exact same thing and it was a big joke that the cashier and I laughed about. That is privilege. I get pulled over by the police and I can chit chat and talk about the weather. That is privilege. If you aren't looking for it it is easy to ignore. If you do not talk to people who do not look like you it is even easier to ignore. When people tell you their experiences and it starts to hit you...it's easier to get angry and call them snowflakes than it is to acknowledge that the world is still a very messed up place where there is still much work to do before we have equity. I'm tired because I have been fighting for equity for some time now...but as I've said...nothing has come easy for me....so why should I expect this to? We need more of us standing up and doing and saying the right thing. We need more of us to listen when we are told things that are uncomfortable for us to hear. If you are a person who makes New Year's Resolution then I am calling on you to make this the thing you change. Speak up! Speak Out! Make room! Acknowledge the privileges that you have. Happy New Year everyone. Let's make a difference together.