Racial, Economic, Social Privilege Viewed From A Car Ride

The bigs and I didn’t mind our recent road-side adventure. We were inconvenienced by a few hours. The car is all fixed and I’m driving them to school in that vehicle today.

There is a whole lot of privilege wrapped up in that experience.

As a financially comfortable, well-educated white woman, I drive a car that is generally safe and runs well.

I chose to pay the extra $7/ billing fee to have road-side assistance added to my auto insurance. (If I were financially strapped, that would have been an easy amount to skip.) That means the tow truck was free, and if I hadn’t chosen to tip the driver, would have cost me nothing.

I had no expectation of any incorrect/offensive/unkind/racist behavior from the tow truck driver: A beloved friend had to catch a ride with the tow truck driver when she had to have her car towed recently. As a POC (Person of Color), she was not afforded the same respect. The driver insisted on sharing his racist political views. Arguing with him was not a safe proposition for her, as it would have been for me.

Another deeper privilege buried in this “driving adventure” for the kids and me; I had no job I was racing to get to after I dropped them off. We got to laugh and tell stories and enjoy the extra time together.

I have Best Buddy Lou who also has the gift of time. I knew I could call her and she would come to our rescue if she was at all able. I knew she would have a car that runs well and that the extra gas to come get us would not be a problem. (Actually her car is electric, so we weren’t even hurting the environment much. And I trust we all recognize an electric car is another financial choice wrapped up with privilege.)

None of us had any sense of fear or anxiety during this entire experience. I had no expectation that anyone driving by would look at me and yell a racist slur. No fear of anyone shooting at us due to the color of our skin.

I had an expectation of being treated well and with respect and deference by the mechanics who were going to fix our car. I speak with an educated tongue and can, frankly, out-talk most anyone if I choose to.

I don’t feel guilty for the ease of my life. That’s a waste of emotion and time.

I am trying to recognize my privilege. I’m trying to not present judgement to anyone who is not able to live a life like mine. I am trying to speak out when I hear racist or unkind things being said. I’m trying to balance organizing and planning for this family that Buddie and I have built, while lovingly making sure all of us recognize the responsibility we have to make the world better for everyone.

I cannot wipe the world of privilege, but I can work to spread the privilege around.