Own Your Privilege: 3 Takeaways from WMPRSA’s Signature Event
A few weeks ago, I attended WMPRSA’s signature event, Own Your Privilege: ‘West Michigan Nice’ Is Not an Inclusion Strategy. At the event, the host Paul Doyle introduced exactly what ‘West Michigan Nice’ is and three speakers presented their own experiences about living in Grand Rapids. The entire recap to the event is linked HERE. The event impacted my perception of this issue in our community. I wanted to share my biggest takeaways so that you can also work towards owning your privilege.
Admit that you have privilege
The first step to owning your privilege is admitting that you have it. Privileges unknowingly give people the opportunity to grow and prosper. Examples of privileges include aspects such as race, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion or economic background. These privileges or lack of privileges impact wealth, education, employment and health.
Learn to listen
Unfortunately, inequity exists in our society. Now that we have acknowledged that not everyone is on an even playing level, the next step is to address the inequity. The best way to do this is to listen to people’s stories. Don’t inject in the conversation, simply listen. You’ll be sure to learn more from others. Also, don’t be afraid to educate yourself on these issues.
Get out of your comfort zone
After understanding the stories of people who face discrimination, it’s time to speak up for change. Amplify their voice. Risk your privilege to benefit others. Demand courageous conversation. Think about what actions you can take to address the inequity. Also, expand your group of friends. Put yourself into a place where you’re the minority. Getting out of your small bubble is so important when addressing issues such as inclusion.
Owning your privilege is no light task and there are no written guidelines on how to be an inclusive person. Mistakes will most likely be made, but it’s important to learn from them and move forward in hopes to bring awareness to this issue. ‘West Michigan Nice’ is not an inclusion strategy. There is so much more to be done than simply being kind to one another.
About Bailee:
Bailee Vaughn is a junior at Grand Valley State majoring in advertising & public Relations with a minor in Spanish. She just recently joined GrandPR and PRSSA last year and is so excited to serve on the Executive Board for GrandPR. Currently, Bailee manages her sorority's social media presence and works at an advertising agency called Our Full Attention as a social media intern. Her career goal is to ultimately utilize her skills in a workplace with a fun environment that fits her outgoing personality. Using this experience, she is ready to bring her expertise to GrandPR and push her career even further.