I was brightly inspired as I read the column from Irie Sentner, a Durango High School student, about wealth and privilege and its effects on being in a “gifted student” program (
In this time, when our culture is looking at the shadow-side of white male privilege, it is refreshing to read his observations about being a gifted student; his perspective feels wise beyond his years. As I reread his column, I felt touched and heartened that a young, white male would be aware of and see into the culture immediately around him, as the “me too” campaign continues to widen and as allegations of sexual harassment and abuse continue to grow.
We need more minds like this that really get what privilege is – from gender, race, economics, sexual orientation, culture, early conditions in life – and how trauma itself affects decisions and the options in our lives.
In my view, we need to cultivate more of this astute sensitivity to privilege and entitlement and what it costs us all. I extend a heartfelt thank you to Setner and to the people in his life who have supported and encouraged him. Maybe his is the right use of privilege, as he has begun an important dialogue of identifying the impact of privilege itself.
Ruby Jo Walker
Durango
