Surviving the assumptions of others isn’t easy
Bronx: I just want to give my own take on what constitutes privilege. To me, it has nothing to do with money because at the end of the day, all of us, regardless of race, have to go out there and do it. The key is having to inevitably interact with others without fear, anxiety or lack of confidence. Of course, our parents, friends and community play an important role. But the most powerful component is the society itself. Families and communities aid growing human beings in navigating the complexities of life. Our society fails miserably in this regard, simply because not all Americans are granted, at minimum, the presumption of innocence, goodness, trust, competence and respect, whether in public spaces or mainstream social and professional circles.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, treatment is determined by race and class. This has been my observation as a nearly 68-year-old homeowner, taxpayer, consumer and successful businessman. I must tell you that having to fight through so many pervasive stereotypes over the years can be exhausting. And unfortunately, some people under the same circumstances just give up. Some retreat into unproductive subcultures.
Our institutions fail to address the problem. We can’t deny that people are treated differently. I certainly will not excuse destructive behavior, but most human beings decide to retreat within themselves out of fear and rejection, never to discover their true talents. Sometimes, too much negative feedback during the formative years can do more to destroy the human spirit before our children reach the age of 18. After all, we are social animals. We want to belong. We want to be accepted.
Fred Griffith