Let's Talk About the Elephant in the Room Here... Privilege

Posted by Suzanne Dietrich on Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Before I continue about my beliefs around bodies and health I want to address the elephant I'm the room. My privilege. Because this affects how I work with my clients, how I learn and share what I share with you here.
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I always knew I had privilege but didn't know how to articulate it. But I feel it's vital for me to acknowledge and speak about them as a human being and health care provider because we all bring different s**t to the table.
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My privileges include:

I am white - which has made and continues to make many things including education, housing, food security and my ability to move throughout the world very easy. I have not experienced racial discrimination or been insulted because of the colour of my skin. But we are living in a racist society so I have a lot of unlearning to do. .

I have and still do benefit from land rightfully and originally owned by Indigenous people.

I was raised Catholic though I am not a practicing now. I have never been ridiculed or tormented or my life at risk because of my religion.

I have economic privilege. I have never experienced food insecurity or poverty. I grew up in middle class family and am  part of one now. I have had the gift of education & travel because of this too.

Body privilege -  I am a thin able bodied woman. I have never had to worry about:
- fitting in a seat on a roller coaster or airplane
- being trolled on social media as I speak about how all bodies are good bodies & HAES(R)
- experiencing  discrimination while seeking a job opportunity or in academia
- fearing that I will not be cared for medically because of my weight
I have done nothing to earn the privilege of my thin body. Society has just given it to me. .
I will continue to be a thin ally and speak up around fatphobia.
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♀️I am Cis & heterosexual. I have not faced discrimination based on my sexual orientation. But yes, at times my gender.
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I have made mistakes as I haven't had the same experiences as others. But I'm continuing to unlearn and will own the mistakes when I screw up and do better. 

- Suzanne
 

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