1. Comfort

I have not ever slept on the street.

I have been fortunate enough to sleep in a tent, in a hostel, on a hammock.

2. Basic Needs

I have not ever feared for my next meal.

I have been fortunate enough to have eaten on a plane, on a train, without caution.

3. Appearances

I have not ever been harassed for the way I appear.

I have been fortunate enough to have white skin, not have visible tattoos, have a non-threatening appearance.

4. (Mis)Understanding

I have not ever been questioned or judged for my sexuality.

I have been fortunate enough to have gay friends, be  a male,  be considered normal.

5. Security

I have not ever truly feared for my life.

I have been fortunate enough to have lived in safe environments, have had caretakers (family and friends), have a bubble and guardrails around me.

6. Opportunity

I have not ever been unable to learn.

I have been fortunate enough to have only gone to private schools, have only nominal distractions, have parents with the means to invest in my learning.

7. Position

I have not ever been oppressed

I have been fortunate enough to have the law on my side, the power on my side, snap judgment on my side.

 

I don’t believe that unfair advantages are categorically bad. In fact, I think they are assets to be cultivated and utilized. However, I do believe that we should recognize and appreciate them and care about providing those around us with advantages of their own.

I likely have many more haves, and I would like to hear yours. Write some stuff down and throw on #havehavenot (confession: I dont’ excel at Twitter).

Note: In cursorily searching for a header image, I came to the realization that Tyler Perry has “The haves and the have nots” google image search on lock — https://www.google.com/search? I mean…