After watching the video, I did a lot of self reflection.

I experience privilege in many ways. I’m a cisgender, able-bodied person who was born in Puerto Rico – therefore meaning that I am automatically a U.S. citizen. Of course, the circumstances surrounding Puerto Rico’s status as a U.S. territory are troubling, but it still doesn’t take away the fact that upon moving to New York, I didn’t face any struggles in regards to my citizenship. I also have a roof over my head, access to food and clean water – mostly everything I need is accessible to me. I am also privileged enough to receive financial support from my family, and am pursuing an education.

I suppose I experience forms of oppression since I am a queer latinx woman. I have faced xenophobia in the past from white Americans, been sexually harassed, and have also experienced bigotry in many different forms. I have felt unsafe in many situations because of my identity, and while representation in media has gotten a lot better (more inclusive and diverse) over the years, I didn’t grow up with the figures I would’ve liked to have seen. This led to the rejection of my Puerto Rican culture as a child – I wanted to be just like Hannah Montana.

I only share my sexuality with a select few people when I’m comfortable, in special instances (like this, where there’s some form of anonymity or comradery), and I am not entirely publicly “out” – nor do I think I will ever be. I haven’t exactly had the nicest experiences when trusting some people.

Watching the video and doing the readings have helped me conjure up the following definitions of my own. One, oppression, meaning: the systematic act of purposefully inflicting harm upon, and controlling a specific group of people to keep the group from thriving. Two, privilege, meaning: a benefit that is accessible to only a specific individual or community.

I think that when faced with the phrase, “white privilege,” a lot of white people get defensive because they believe that it invalidates their struggles, and insists that they have easy lives. However, having white privilege doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have hardships – it simply means that the issues you would face as a white person would not happen because you’re white. Race would have nothing to do with it. On the other hand, for example, Black people face countless challenges that exist specifically because of their race – and these challenges were created purposefully. As a white person, you will not be racially profiled, you will not be seen or labeled as “other,” – you will not be targeted because of your race, and you will receive a plethora of advantages. That is what white privilege means.

Privilege also intersects in many ways, as well. It intersects with race, gender, sexuality, disability, wealth and class, etc. Everyone has a privilege of some kind, to some extent, whether they realize it or not. Acknowledging our own respective privileges, and realizing that not everyone is equipped with the same tools and resources, is a step that everyone needs to take.