Privilege And Rhymes

I was reading a friend's post where she linked to a couple lists of privilege, one for male privilege and one for white privilege. I read through both and it was amazing to actually recongize the advantages men have simply for being men. But it was reading through the list on white privilege that really made me think. Of course, I consider myself a racial minority within my present culture. But the list that was presented seemed to focus on the type of advantages someone who is white has over someone who is black, specifically. There's a certain balance when it comes to being an (South) Asian minority. I have faced enough racism in my lifetime but I can't help but feel that my experiences pale in comparison to the challenges faced in the black community.

Another reason I know my tolerance for Christianity has decreased over the years (bad bad Smitha): a story from my childhood. When I was in grade 5 our class took a field trip to one of those education activity campsite areas. One of the teachers who was accompanying us was a class favourite, a good guy who knew how to get down to the level of children but still be firm at the same time. Anyway, there was a large cafeteria where we gathered for all our meals, and when we sat down for the first dinner, the teacher shouted out: "Everyone sing Johnny Appleseed!" All 60 of us kids immediately belted out the song, claps included. I hadn't sang the song since I had left Newfoundland 3 years ago, and it made me happy to sing it again. What was more surprising was how everyone knew the song (Ah, public school; my classmates mostly came from homes where they weren't even sure what breed of Christian they were.) and it was a nice touch to the experience.

I would never sing Johnny Appleseed today. It wouldn't foster a sense of happiness within me. I'd be thinking, "Dude... stop pushing your god on me."

Oh the lord is good to me
And so I thank the lord
For giving me the things I need
The sun and the rain and the apple seed
The lord is good to me
Johnny Appleseed *clap* Amen.