I grew up in rural Virginia, one of 6 children. My father worked in a factory on rotating shifts. He never went to college. At age 24 he joined the Eighth Airforce and flew 38 missions as a bomber pilot during WWII. My mother stayed home and raised us until my younger sisters were in junior high, then she worked part-time at Kmart. She never finished high school.
Growing up, money was very tight. I started working odd jobs at age 13, mostly cutting grass, picking apples, shoveling snow, helping a local farmer, etc. Both parents stressed making good grades in school. I was an average student, but took top classes in HS. My parents insisted that I prepare for college. When I finished HS, my parents had saved $1,118 for my college education. They insisted that I attend a regional university in TN. I took out a loan from an local bank, and worked during college (every summer, Xmas break and part-time while in school).
By the Spring of my junior year, all my money had run out, so I started working construction. The company allowed me to work M-W-F. I took classes on Tuesday and Thursday and at night. During that time I lived in a trailer. Those years were very difficult. But, I earned my BS degree, and received a Fellowship to purse my MBA. During that time, I lived in the basement of an old home near campus. I did not have a reliable car. Two years later, I earned my Masters. During those 2 years, I worked 3 part-time jobs.
To this point, I felt that I had earned everything in my life. I was not “given” anything. except the $1,118. If I didn’t work, I didn’t eat.
After graduation, (my family did not attend), I wrote 92 letters to companies seeking a job. My girlfriend paid for the stamps. Only 5 companies responded. I went on 2 interviews wearing a blue blazer my landlord loaned me.
I received 1 job offer and moved to West Va. and started working in a salaried position. I had a 12 year old car and a 12″ B/W TV. The company I joined was excellent. I worked hard and was promoted many times. However, to pursue my career, I had to move to SC and then to Delaware. One of those moves came as a result of me being “replaced” by an “affirmative action person”. I had to move my family to make room for a black women. While working in Delaware about 11 years later, I was “transferred” again, to make room for another minority. That particular job change was very scary for me since I was moving to a less important role, one subject to downsizing, and I had a disabled son. I had to have family medical insurance. Those 2 job changes were unfair to me. And, my family.
I finally left that company after 27 years. I moved to NC to seek employment and did find work in Raleigh. And, continued to work for 10 more years with 2 companies. The last company required a move to Charlotte. Finally, I retired due to medical reasons.
Looking back on those 37years, I never felt privileged, nothing was “granted” to me, handed to me, or bestowed on me or available only to me. I got what I earned.
That is why, white privilege is hard for me to swallow. Lastly, my story is not unique. 1 know hundreds of people like me. Their story is the same.
High Truths and Low Lies 