Age, Gender, and Race: Privileges and Barriers

I am a 22-year-old white woman living in Canada. At 22, I find life more positive than negative. I am young and healthy, with years of enjoyment ahead. At my stage, I am both experienced and innocent, able to live freely and express myself without too much restraint. However, this perspective can also be complicated by the diverse perceptions and assumptions people may have about me.

Gender Privilege

Among the many stereotypes about youth, being a 22-year-old woman means that I am often perceived as innocent and harmless. Nobody suspects me of bad intentions, even if I possess the tools and knowledge to act otherwise. My feminine appearance allows me to navigate some social challenges with ease, but it also means I am trusted and respected to a certain extent. I have the privilege of using my appearance to my advantage, which can manifest in both positive and negative ways.

Race and Privilege

Being white in my context does not come with significant privileges. I attended a public school system where the history of white culture was glorified, while the darker aspects of that history and the experiences of racial minorities were largely ignored. The perspective and attitudes ingrained in me from a young age have a lasting impact on how I perceive myself and others. My position as a racial minority in a predominantly white environment often requires a constant awareness of these biases and their effects.

Personal Achievement and Effort

While my privileges allow me to navigate some aspects of life with ease, I strongly believe that my achievements are due to my own hard work and determination. I feel a sense of responsibility to others and often encourage them to take control of their own lives and create their own opportunities. Opportunities are often seen as something that should be earned through personal effort and initiative, and not as something that is inherently given or taken away by factors such as age, gender, or race.

Challenges and Rewards of Living

Age, gender, and race are not privileges but significant challenges in life. These factors can pose barriers to understanding grace, acceptance, and personal growth. They are hurdles that must be overcome, and each one presents its own set of rewards. Age, in particular, can be the cruelest, as one starts life looking forward to great expectations and time seems to pass too slowly. By mid-life, the pace of life accelerates, and there is a constant pressure to stay relevant and connected. In old age, one is faced with the indignity of dependence on others, a loss of independence, and the longing for the past.

Frailty is the cruelest joke played on the elderly, as the memories of one's youth fade and the physical changes make it difficult to maintain the vitality of earlier years. The 'what ifs' and 'oughta's' of life often outweigh the specific gender or race issues that one may encounter. Understanding these aspects of human experience can lead to a more compassionate and empathetic view of others, regardless of their age, gender, or race.

Conclusion

While I acknowledge the privileges that certain positions in life can confer, I firmly believe that success and fulfillment come from personal effort and a willingness to face challenges. Recognizing and addressing these challenges can lead to a more meaningful and rewarding life, fostering a society that is more empathetic and inclusive.