One of the ways that people with greater privilege distance themselves from accountability in injustice is to focus on their personal financial instability in this Capitalist society. It’s true that the system is broken, and many of feel stressed and strapped. However, many of us are also doing substantially better than people in poverty. Black people living in poverty deal with the intersection of racial discrimination and economic hardship. Many people do not feel financially stable, yet have unrecognized resources that allow them to access food, shelter, and security. Because of our class segregation in this culture, affluent people do not recognize the barriers that lack of economic access creates. It is HARD to survive our system without these resources that we may take for granted.
Access to these resources means that we can both extend the use of the resource to Black, Brown and Indigeneous People, and use it to subvert and smash the status quo.
Here are some examples of resources that you may have and not recognize. You may have other resources not listed. These resources are not a given for many people, especially Black, Brown, and Indigeneous People. Imagine the barriers that would you would face if you did not have ready access to some of these assumed resources. This list is based upon professional class norms. Use your own life and experiences to generate your own resource list.
| Assets Working/maintained car Health Insurance Working Internet Computer iPhone and plan Salaried Job Ability to set/negotiate work schedule Paid Leave Stability Government Issued ID Tax returns Records Family-owned House(s) Health Clean air/water/earth due to location of manufacturing plants, waste sites Network Legacy at college Membership in Associations, Fraternal Order, Clubs | Finances Credit Score Credit Card Credit History Bank Account(s) Able to pay and be reimbursed Discretionary money Rich relatives Savings Education Diploma Degree Knowledge “Normative” Behavior of restaurants Travel | Identity Family photos Family tree Family story Common name Get through airport security easily Space Space to grow garden Ability to be in nature Distant neighbors Storage Own room Skills/Abilities Literacy– high grade level reading Navigation of internet resources Access to power/management structures |
