Privileged? Some see it as fighting word
Eriz Zorn
Chicago Tribune
October 2, 2005
Metro, Page 1

    * Being privileged is spring break in Appalachia working with the 
      poor....Lauren McLaughlin
    * Being privileged is spending hundreds of dollars per year on a green 
      lawn.....Cara Conway
    * Being privileged is knowing your child will have gym, art, and music during 
      the course of the school day....Barbara Dillon

Reader response was strong, helpful and, in some cases, angry to last Sunday's 
column in which I offered a short list of the minor attributes of a privileged 
life--those little opportunities and perks many of us take for granted but 
serve as a reminder of how good we have it compared to some.

I asked for contributions to my list and received hundreds.

    * Being privileged is telling your friends "I've got it" when the waitress 
      brings the check...Gladys Cortez
    * Being privileged is never worrying about how much money there is in your 
      wallet, because you have three credit cards in there, too....John Glaenzer
    * Being privileged is feeding the leftovers to the dog....James E. Gierach

Some readers didn't like my list, which was inspired by author John Scalzi's 
evocative "Being poor," published recently in the Tribune and many other 
newspapers.

They charged that both lists were attempts by liberals to guilt-trip those who 
have worked hard, been careful with their money and can now afford a few nice 
things.

"Being privileged is pretending to express solidarity with the poor by 
disparaging other people's consumption choices in a way that makes you seem 
morally superior," wrote "Lenin" in a posting to a comment area of my Tribune 
Web log.

"Hardworking citizen" added, "Being privileged is being blamed by Eric Zorn 
and compatriots for choices people make like having children before getting 
married or getting a job."

Some felt that the word "privilege" demeaned hardworking people by implying 
that they hadn't earned or didn't deserve all the advantages in life they 
enjoy--an implication that's true or partially true in many cases (including 
my own), but beside the point.

If "privileged" as the flip side of "underprivileged" doesn't work for you, 
try "fortunate" or "blessed" or "secure."

    * Being privileged is buying clothes from the thrift store. For a 
      Halloween costume. Because it's funny....Kevin Q.
    * Being privileged is not wondering how you'll afford Christmas....Karen 
      Smith

If contemplating the comforts in your life sends you into a defensive rage, 
I don't want to be invited to your place for Thanksgiving.

Give thanks? For what? I've earned everything I have! I deserve it!

    * Being privileged is designer diet food for your overweight cat....
      Mary Ann
    * Being privileged is having the ability to help an elderly relative from 
      going into the system....Jeanne
    * Being privileged is knowing you could quit your job if you wanted to....
      Chris
    * Being privileged is going out to dinner and a movie, and the baby-sitter 
      isn't related to you....Sarah Young
    * Being privileged is not having to join the military to pay for 
      college.... Marilyn Scruggs

The roots of privilege are as complex as the roots of poverty. Most often, 
choices and luck, good and bad, are involved. The point here is not to inspire 
guilt, but to inspire a little more charity in thought and deed toward those 
who haven't been as lucky. That's all.

    * Being privileged is never bouncing a check....Gareth Fenley
    * Being privileged is getting a college scholarship solely due to who your 
      parents are....P.J.
    * Being privileged means if your husband abuses you, you can leave.... C.D.
    * Being privileged is reading this list and thinking, "That's not a 
      luxury--it's a normal part of life."....Kathy Roberts

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