“Black Privilege”

Being Black means that I have been through endless tests/trials/persecution/suffering in my short lifetime....and it will likely continue until my dying day. Yet, racism from the current President-elect and any other politician will not affect me. How, you ask? By the grace of God and something else called 'Black Privilege.' 

Black Privilege is a concept recently introduced to me by the promotion of Comedian Charlemagne Tha God's upcoming book. From my point of view, Black Privilege is the unmatched ability to create opportunity versus the automatic inheritance associated with White Privilege; it represents strength that is immeasurable, faith that is unbreakable, and a resilience so present throughout history that it is now endemic to our race. For the other Americans stricken with grief and fear after Election Night, I share with you this illustration of drawing strength by simply remembering whence you've come. 

God's favor has delivered me from: child abuse, neglect, abandonment, drugs/crime, welfare/poverty, poor education systems, domestic violence, severe emotional distress, and a ZERO OPPORTUNITY environment. Despite being bounced around, having to raise my own siblings, being overworked as early as high school, and basically growing up way too soon, I overcome.

Because of His favor, I...
...made it through childhood and was blessed beyond my wildest dreams on the cusp of young adulthood as I sought higher educational opportunities, with no financial support in sight. God sent me the aforementioned blessing on the night of November 4, 2008, in the election of Barack Hussein Obama…and he is MY President. Barack is my President due in part to the stimulus bill he signed into law in February of 2009, expanding eligibility criteria for the Federal Pell Grant. The stimulus bill paved the way for me to qualify for and later receive the coveted Gates Millennium Scholarship…a full cost-of-attendance award for outstanding minority students to any school in the country.

My President, Barack Obama not only opened the door to opportunity, but also the doors to freedom, pride, and awareness…what we call being “woke.” I have thrived as an individual, as a Black person, as an "independent woman," and as a fully fledged member of society because of President Barack Obama…even before I was old enough to vote. I accomplished many goals and achieved great success while in college, particularly initiation into the greatest sorority alive and my election to the international directorate.  I've since successfully started my risk management career within the finance/banking industry and will continue to climb the proverbial corporate ladder to achieve my own American Dream.

If, as you read this article, my words are being perceived as proud or boastful, I know I've done something right. I want the world to know that my existence does not serve as some mere notch on the evolutionary chain or a simple dollar figure in the IRS tax database. God created me to be unique, with purpose, intent, and worth. 

I am beautiful. 

I am enough. 

I have purpose. 

These truths will carry me in the final stages of grief—beginning January 20, 2017—and the next 3.917 years. *sighs* The time for dependence upon government assistance has past; the time to foster "Black Privilege,” as a first-generation upper-middle-class citizen, has only just begun. The 2016 U.S. Presidential Election reminded me that: opportunity comes to those who create it, and the power of Black people is limitless. Jesus said, "to whom much is given, much is required;" and it is in obedience that I use my blessings to create more opportunity as a champion for my culture and other Black people.

Congratulations to Donald Trump for a successful campaign and election. I truly wish you the best of luck because you’re going to need it for this particular test.

God bless.