What do people have that they don’t realise is a privilege?

ONE  thing about privilege is that we don’t usually recognise it until we no longer have it. This week on WhatsApp Conversation, the conversation is on ‘privilege’ and how we don’t even know it is a privilege. Excerpt:

 

Mary Edem

A stable and safe home life. Now that I’m an adult, I realised how lucky I was to have parents who were good and loving but also prioritised a safe, stable and calm home environment. They actually thought about creating a warm, safe environment, and I didn’t know that was a thing you had to consciously do until I got to adulthood.

They never fought in our presence, rarely lost their tempers with us, stuck to a routine and structure such that  there were always hot meals, clean clothes, a clean home — and they let us have our own space to just relax and decompress.

I noticed in my teen years that certain friends always wanted to come to my house to hang out which I thought was weird because my house was somehow  boring — but now looking back, I could see that they liked the safe, calm atmosphere at my house and wanted to come and  relax. My parents consciously chose to make our home a safe retreat from the world and I’m so grateful.

 

Oluwadunsin Elegba

Being raised by both parents (responsible ones to be precise). Having a circle of influence they were not primarily responsible for. Definitely good health too.

Mojeed Ajibola Obalolu

There are two  important things that people have but they do not realise  that they are privileges from God. The two are free time and good health.

Virtually, everyone knows that having money, children, houses and all luxuries of life are gifts from God, but most human beings are oblivious of the fact that the two are also privileges from our creator, hence we tend not to make good use of them.

Without mincing words, to make it in life one must make good use of the two (time and health). In other words, those who won’t  make it in life are those that do not make good use of the two.

 

Ademola Adebanjo

The apartments I sometimes have to manage are filled with people subleasing. I’ve managed apartments where  six people sleep  in the bedroom. If they’re lucky they get to sleep in a closet or at least have a curtain  as covering.

One privilege most people take for granted is privacy. I don’t mean digital privacy, I mean a room with solid walls and a door that closes. Lots of people don’t have that.

 

Kemi Ogunleye

Having a house, or having parents who love and  support you, or a ‘childhood home’ to visit.

I had this until I lost my mom to cancer a couple of years ago. I’m in my 20’s. Dad remarried and moved to a different house.

I still can’t believe how perfect it all was before the cancer. Also, dad’s new wife is difficult so it’s hard to be around even him at this point.

 

Nafiz Garba

The ability to buy a drink or snack outside on the spur of the moment, without thinking about how it would affect  your ability to pay for utilities/rent/groceries/essentials. It is a privilege a lot of us take for granted. Not everybody can actually do that.

The ability to actually be a child when young. It’s heartbreaking how many children have  had to grow up/are hardened before they even hit puberty. It is a privilege and although we make it seem like a right, it is not. There are a lot of people who go on to lead a damaged life because they have had to grow up too early and move ahead of their age.

 

Banjo Tife

Mama’s cooking, one of the most underrated privileges. Some people will go to any length just to see their late mama again. If you do that every day, you should be grateful for it.

 

Adeola Olayemi

Having a parent that still cares for your needs even as an adult. Not every parent is able to do this for their kids.

The second will be having a Nigerian boss that cares for you, and provides you resources to see you grow.

Doesn’t matter how you look at it, it’s a privilege.

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