As a Mexican American, I experience privilege by the simple fact I was born in the United States. I had access to better education, healthcare, housing, and clothing. You don’t become self-aware of what you have until you take a step back see it all as a whole. Also, making a trip out to the ranch where my parents were born and learning about their struggles allowed me to know how lucky I was growing up. Even now, there are still so many struggling. They worked countless hours of hard labor to keep a roof over our heads. Acknowledging and always being grateful to your parents for all their hard work is a great way to show appreciation. Typically Mexican parents don’t want us to thank them because they did it for our future and their unconditional love.
I have experienced oppression is by not being able to hold a relationship and settling down. The comment usually comes from male family members and not from my immediate family. They come to think if you’re a certain age, you need to be married with two or three kids. If you’re not, something is wrong with you. When I was reading Marilyn Frye’s, Oppression, I felt her words when she said oppression of women is like a “bird in a cage.” You think you’re being set to act and accept what society asks of you; if not, you’re being defiant. They look at the women as objects used to procreate and listen to what they tell you to do. A life that I choose not to live. I can quickly settle, but I want more than that and a partner that truly understands the struggles of women and vice versa. No man should have the right to make you feel less or try to see everything in their perspective without allowing you to see it in yours.
Privilege is defined as a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group. I agree with this definition. I know I have the privilege to work and go to school in America, but I also see the privilege that white Americans receive. By being white, they can get away with a lot in America. You can earn a spot without working hard. I find it unfair because ethnic people have to work ten times harder to obtain a place. Many call it white privilege.
Hello Jessica, I found your post very interesting. It’s great that you acknowledge your privilege as a U.S. citizen. Many people just take it for granted, but being an immigrant or coming from an immigrant household makes you appreciate U.S. citizenship more. It is so annoying when family pressures you to be in a relationship and have kids when you are a certain age, that’s a clear example of oppression.
Hi Jessica, Thanks for your discussion post. You are definitely in a unique situation to share your perspective. Compared to your family in Mexico you have privileges that only come from living in a certain country, yet you are also aware of the white privilege that exists here and how limited your own privileges are by it.
Yet despite those realities, it’s good that you’re able to keep perspective and be grateful for what your family has worked towards.
I have spent a lot of time in Mexico and I recognize your struggle with the pressure of what is expected of a woman. I noticed that a lot when I would be in Mexico. Everyone would ask why I didn’t have kids, when I was going to have kids, etc. I noticed that if women didn’t have kids by a certain age they were kind of outcasts in smaller villages and towns.
Luckily you live in a City where you can make different choices!
Hey Jessica , I can relate on so many levels and noticed and experienced how society and even male family member’s put so much pressure on us woman to marry and have children. No one should feel pressure to do anything, meeting the perfect mate to settle down with and possibly create a family with is not to be taken lightly. This should be solely based on when we are ready, whether emotionally, financially or spiritually.