Privilege

Time is an interesting thing. If we close our eyes, we have this strange ability to access memories stored deeply within the crevices of our minds, traveling back decades with very little effort. Without the polaroids to prove it, sometimes these vivid recollections can feel almost like figments of our imagination.

Growing up in the 80s, I certainly never considered myself privileged. Raised by a single mom, the two of us lived in a modest little mobile home, nestled behind a Mennonite school. My mom often worked two jobs so that we could survive and although we didn’t have much expendable income, I always had a warm bed and a belly full of food. My mom often reminds me that I ate most of our expendable income, which probably contains some element of truth. I was a pretty hungry kid.

As I step back and reflect over a half century of existence, I now see nothing but privilege. My privilege first began with being born in the most free and prosperous nation in the history of the entire world. A privilege that has allowed me to speak my mind. A privilege that never infringed upon my pursuit of seeking the Kingdom of God. This privilege has found me surrounded by opportunity. The privilege that affords me the ability to relentlessly pursue passions and dreams. A privilege to have had family members who love me and friends who encourage me. A privilege to have the breath in my lungs that awakens me every morning with the opportunity to experience at least one more day.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that all of us experience privilege in varying degrees. Maybe the question that we should be asking ourselves is, “What is our attitude towards our privilege?”  Some people are so focused on pointing out the privileges of others that they become blind to the privileges they have been afforded. They become dissatisfied with their lives and resentful of others around them. This attitude leads to despair and stagnates their potential. Others see their privilege as evidence of their superiority over those without. Their privileges fuel a false sense of pride which causes them to walk through life under this delusion that they are somehow better than others.

These two attitudes are a part of the exact same problem that exists within our society today.

The truth is that no one is entitled to any of the most important privileges that have been so gracefully afforded us. We did nothing to earn them. When you wake up every morning understanding this truth, you begin to live your life with the attitude of “gratefulness”. A grateful heart is a joyful heart and treats those around them with love and respect regardless of who the other person is.

What is it about the privilege of America that draws people from the farthest reaches of the globe to journey here to claim their portion of it?

Deep within the heart of man is a longing to be free, our souls thirst for it. This is at the very essence of what it means to be an American. This “American spirit” has for centuries caused countless seekers to cross vast oceans, leaving everything behind and risking their very lives to have the opportunity to drink from freedom’s spring.

The entire concept of America as written by the framers in the Declaration of Independence and outlined in the US Constitution is unique to any system of government that has ever existed. Not only has the few ruling the many been completely turned upside down, but “We the People” are clearly stated to have “natural rights” bestowed upon us by our Creator. These natural rights are specifically defined as Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. What God has granted each individual, man does not have the ability or right to take away. You might want to talk to your kids about “natural rights”, because it’s a pretty safe bet that they aren’t being taught them in our broken public school system.

Now more than ever, America could use more grateful people who view privileges as gifts instead of entitlements and who clearly recognize the greatness of America, the land of the free.

Charles Stouff lives in Pequea and is a lifelong resident of Lancaster County. He is the owner of A+PC LLC, a computer services company and also serves as a township supervisor in Martic Township.