My Mind Speaks... The Chosen One

Privilege!! A word that gets thrown around in many conversations lately. Today let's chat about what it means to be privileged and what are some of the responsibilities that come with being privileged. 

In terms of the dictionary, the word Privilege is defined as a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.

 Now I am definitely going to tread carefully and stay away from race related privileges, for the purposes of this article, I would like to keep my focus on privilege from being in a position of influence. Although the same principle would apply even to race related privileges. 

A month ago while watching Blackish, I came across an episode that spoke about how one black star in Hollywood is chosen to be celebrated each decade. That chosen star would be the one black person that gets all the jobs in Hollywood. Examples in more recent times would be a Lupita Nyongo, a Voila Davis and the Smith family. The focus would be on this person so much that all others trying to make it would seem not good enough. That episode got me thinking that this "chosen black child" is not only an American or Hollywood concept . It is actually everywhere. I find myself reviewing many instances in my professional career and actually realise that it is a form of privilege to be the chosen one, but how you use that privilege is what defines your character. I for one know that I have once or twice been part of this privilege in my lifetime.

Here is a short summary of how you can identify this type privilege in the workplace :

>>You are the only female working in a certain field that is male dominated.

>>You are the only black person working in a field with other races.

>>You are considered the "smart" and most productive one. 

>>When you walk into a room with someone who is generally considered difficult, you are given a chance to speak your mind.

>>You are the youngest in your team. 

>>You are the first ever of your kind doing something. 

Before I get carried away, let me keep my focus on how to respond to this type of privilege. Most people generally want to get bragging rights when they encounter this type of privilege. "I am the first to do it" they would say. "The first female on the moon...." whilst it's all good to be proud of your achievements, especially because this kind of privilege does come with hard work but remember that part of it comes from being at the right place at the right time. A divine and unmerited favour was bestowed upon you. 

For me, I found that in most of my cases the privilege wasn't because I was smarter or more hardworking then everyone else. There were people overlooked for many years who were as hard working and smart but not as vocal. Or maybe not as strong-willed. As I review my professional life I realise that being the chosen one was never enough for me. I don't like being the only or being the youngest or being the smartest so for each time I get access to a boardroom full of directors, I already have a person in mind to bring into a conversation about their growth. Never underestimate the power of a giod word during a performance review. Never be afraid to challenge and inspire others to be even greater. I can safely say that each year in every team I have served in, one more person has had a promotion or has had an opportunity to experience their first. That for me has been the biggest lesson over the last 8 years of working;that bragging rights are just not enough. Individual brilliance has been the downfall of our communities. 

Bring someone up with you. Elevate someone to a position you've had a privilege to be in.Pastor Wendy Treat once said that "favour is not fair unless it is shared". So my people go forth and share that favour. Set someone up to win...

My mind speaks....