Privilege; Who has it and How Can One Get It

While reading this article, I began to think about my own privilege and how that has shaped my person. I am privileged to come from a good family, attend a great school and have food on my table every night, while others are not so privileged. This privilege that I hold has allowed me to become the scholar I am, with the drive I have in school, since my mind is not preoccupied elsewhere. This article speaks about W.E.B. Du Bois, who had the privilege to get his doctorate from Harvard, despite his race, and his daughter, who by mere luck got to study at a prestigious school in England. Du Bois writes a letter to his daughter speaking about her privilege to be able to study there, even though she did nothing to earn it, and that she should take a hold of her opportunity and make the most of it.

So, like Du Bois says to his daughter about making the most from every opportunity, what I take away from the article is this: privilege is not only the opportunity to study at some prestigious school, but having privilege can stem from somewhere as simple as having respect for oneself and the others around them. Being confident in all that one does and taking chances to see where it will lead him or her; that is having privilege. One must understand his or her privilege, no matter how much or how little he or she has, and take advantage of all the opportunities it brings in order to better oneself, but most of all, the privilege that one holds should not overcome his or her being, in other words, do not lose oneself in his or her privilege. 

In conclusion, who can have privilege? Anyone can have privilege because although it can come from material belongings, it can also come from respect for oneself and the people around him or her. How can one get privilege? Respect those around oneself and take advantage of all the opportunities that are thrown ones way.