Saturday, February 9, 2008

How Privileged Am I?



Got this survey from Racialicious. They do a pretty good analysis of the problems with this survey but I found it interesting anyway. Anything in green is a true statement for me.



If your father went to college

If your father finished college

If your mother went to college
If your mother finished college

If you have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor (All of the above actually)
If you were the same or higher class than your high school teachers (Exact same)
If you had a computer at home
If you had your own computer at home (When I was in college)
If you had more than 50 books at home

If you had more than 500 books at home (I probably do now... or will by the time I get my degree)
If were read children’s books by a parent
If you ever had lessons of any kind

If you had more than two kinds of lessons
If the people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively
If you had a credit card with your name on it

If you have less than $5000 in student loans (way, way, way, way more)

If you have no student loans (HA!)
If you went to a private high school (elementary school)
If you went to summer camp
If you had a private tutor
If you have been to Europe
If your family vacations involved staying at hotels
If all of your clothing has been new and bought at the mall (My mom was thrifty)
If your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them (HA!)
If there was original art in your house
If you had a phone in your room (Do cell phones count?)
If you lived in a single family house
If your parents own their own house
or apartment
If you had your own room (I have been very lucky to always have my own room)
If you participated in an SAT/ACT prep course (Probably should have)
If you had your own cell phone in High School (Just senior year)
If you had your own TV in your room in High School
If you opened a mutual fund or IRA in High School or College
If you have ever flown anywhere on a commercial airline (Never! Really!)
If you ever went on a cruise with your family
If your parents took you to museums and art galleries
If you were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh geez! My poor kids are going to have to answer yes to all of those questions (unless they decide to go to a super expensive university). I just hope that they will understand privilege and how that affects their social/political/world views.

Radical Reminders said...

This is really interesting... i think i'm going to totally copy you and post this in my blog ;)

Ajijaak said...

This is interesting! I may copy this and post it to my blog. The working class, Ojibway Native American, Earthy, Environmentally conscious persepctive that I had in my family upbringing is an interesting one! This is much different than the general outside world because it values simplicity, family over material goods and love.

By the way where did you or Racialiciuos get this survey?