On Understanding Privilege & Showing Up (By Emma Eekhoff)
/Donald Trump is present in every single American home. What differs from household to household is how we view our president; some view him as the face of freedom and security, while many others associate him with hatred and the fear of losing their rights as American people.
I’m so done with his insane claims. I’m so done with his terrible social and public speaking skills, and not to mention the audacity that he thinks that he can take away our healthcare, and freedom of the press and speech. Even though I am so done with Donald Trump, the country as a whole can’t stop our resistance to him when we face injustice. I myself should not stop because I have the privilege to choose to tune in or out the politics and happenings in America.
In the past few months, I honestly don’t think that I’ve done enough with my privilege to benefit others with less than I have. And this has left me with quite a bit of guilt and worry for people of color, especially those in my community of Seattle where it’s truly hitting home.
One of the easiest, yet most difficult ways to use your privilege for good is to talk to those that are misled and think that Trump’s doctrine is right and just. Sometimes I avoid these conversations or cognitive dissonance takes over me. But I’ve had a difficult time having friendships with those who reside on the right because I cannot set aside my views on humanity and politics just so someone will have coffee with me.
But that’s where it counts the most, talking with a family member or friend who believes what Donald Trump is doing is best; speaking truth to them about how you see that their views are seen as highly racist, Islamaphobic, and/or transphobic. Yes, I know that those conversations can be so intellectually exhausting and that it turns me off from talking to more people, but that should not stop us from trying to stop the reign of Donald Trump.
We need to show up, and we need to demonstrate that we won’t allow evil and prejudice to occur in the lives of our brothers and sisters because at the end of the day they are what makes America truly great.
So, turn off your TV, which you’re constantly streaming Fox News or CNN; go out and read a book, like A Colony In a Nation by Chris Hayes or get involved with a nonprofit that benefits more than those in your suburb.
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Emma Eekhoff is a 19-year-old Seattle college student. She's not afraid to share her stance on something, whether it is an art form like music or recent events in the world. She's been writing in a journalist setting for only a few years, through Fresh Jess, The Growl Online, or for a music blog. She loves to connect and network with new people in the worlds of business and music, travel to new places, and eat new interesting foods.
Connect with Emma on social media: Instagram / Twitter / eekhoffemma@gmail.com
