I found this meme floating around and thought it looked like it might be interesting to see where I fall – how Privileged I was!
It's important to note that this is copyrighted, so if you put this up on your blog, please note the following: From What Privileges Do You Have?, based on an exercise about class and privilege developed by Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka at Illinois Indiana State University (ty Klady for the correction - see comments). If you participate in this blog game, they ask that you PLEASE acknowledge their copyright.
Bold the true statements.
1. Father went to college.
2. Father finished college.
3. Mother went to college.
4. Mother finished college.
5. Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor.
6. Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers.
7. Had more than 50 books in your childhood home.
8. Had more than 500 books in your childhood home.
9. Were read children’s books by a parent.
10. Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18.
11. Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18.
12. The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively.
13. Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18.
14. Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs.
15. Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs.
16. Went to a private high school (but on scholarship).
17. Went to summer camp.
18. Had a private tutor before you turned 18.
19. Family vacations involved staying at hotels.
20. Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18.
21. Your parents grandmother bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them.
22. There was original art in your house when you were a child [kid’s work is original!]
23. You and your family lived in a single-family house.
24. Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home.
25. You had your own room as a child.
26. You had a phone in your room before you turned 18.
27. Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course.
28. Had your own TV in your room in high school.
29. Owned a mutual fund or IRA in high school or college.
30. Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16.
31. Went on a cruise with your family.
32. Went on more than one cruise with your family.
33. Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up.
34. You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family.
Well, I answered 10 out of 34. Not sure where that puts me as far as “privileged” but as far as I’m concerned – I was so privileged/blessed that I can hardly believe it! I grew up in a home where God was the center! We had Bible study, prayer and sang praises to the Lord – all at home. We also were at church every time the doors opened! My Dad was the church custodian for many years as well as driving the church bus to youth activities. My Mom was a Sunday School teacher for most of her adult years.
Tell me, how much more privileged could one be?
In His Love and Blessings
annb
Ann - This is great!!! As I was reading it, I was comparing the privileges I had with what my girls have had. Yes, they had more experiences than I ever dreamed of having - such as lessons, ACT/SAT prep courses, etc - I think what's more important (as you pointed out) is the fact that I grew up in a Christian home just as they have. But this questionnaire shows what a contrast there is between my childhood and my girls' in terms of materialism. And, I'm not so sure I'd equate materialism with being "privileged"!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't tell that any of them are in bold. Maybe you can put them in a different color font or something.
ReplyDeleteValerie,
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear from you! I thought this was a good little survey as well. You're so right -sometimes the most important privileges/blessings are overlooked. My children also have been given more "earthly" privileges than I ever had - or even imagined! I hope that when they think of their lives, as they grow older, that the true blessings are what they will always remember!
annb
Thanks, Elizabeth. I've fixed it now. I love that you help look out for me!
Love you, Mom