The Pathology of Privilege

It has been nearly two weeks since the tragic shooting of 20 children and 6 adults in Newtown, CT. So many thoughts continue to swirl in my mind about what happened and how do we as a nation move forward to address the looming issues of gun control and mental illness. Then add to it the stereotyping that has arisen for those who have autism or Asperger's Syndrome and those who care for them.

Then I couldn't help but reflect on what Tim Wise wrote about the "pathology of privilege" and how children are being killed every day in urban areas or in developing nations and no tears are wept for them except by their loved ones. In his autobiography, White Like Me, he insists that racism is not only bad for people of color but it's bad for White folks. One reason being is the belief that they live in a "safe" neighborhood which is due primarily to Whiteness and higher income.

This false sense of safety too often leads to denial and a lack of action because we simply can't imagine it happening "here." Again, it's thought-provoking to consider what this means for us and for our communities.

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