Sunday Musings – September 16, 2018
It is a hot, humid morning - a morning sans the rain which is causing such destruction in parts of the United States, but particularly in those areas closest to the landfall of Hurricane Florence. Hurricanes, typhoon and other acts of nature are also visiting many other parts of the world. Here in Wheeling, West Virginia, the predicted major flood did not visit, although some did have some significant flood damage.
Last night I attended the opening Pittsburgh Symphony concert of the 2018-2019 season. A Gala/Soiree began prior to the concert and continued after the concert with dinner. The Gala was a black-tie event. When I arrived a bit early, I was able to observe elegantly dressed women and nattily dressed men arriving in their freshly washed, expensive cars which the valet parked. Most of the people I saw appeared to be Caucasian, although I did see some people of color. The fact that one needed to sponsor a table seating from 12 to 8 people ranging in price from $50,000.00 to $10,000.00 excluded many, although, to be fair, often an organization or business purchases a table for such events. Also, I want to be clear that the money raised is to be used for programs of the Symphony, the recipients of which are often the school age children of Pittsburgh. I am aware that despite the number of tickets sold just for the concert cannot cover the expense of one concert.
The fact that my ticket for the symphony places me high up in the balcony does, in no way, diminish my enjoyment. The acoustics of Heinz Hall, the home of the Pittsburgh Symphony home performances, are outstanding. Still I am acutely aware that I am one of the privileged ones who can afford to purchase a limited season ticket and to drive the 120-mile round trip in a safe, dependable car.
Eula Biss in our September 13, 2018 On Being conversation with host Krista Tippett reminds the listener that the word privilege implies that someone is getting something which someone else is not getting. If everyone could purchase a ticket to the Pittsburgh Symphony and pay the related expenses of attending then it would not be a privilege to attend. Of course, there is another level of privilege. The fact that I got introduced to classical music and learned to enjoy it means that I enjoy a luxury not available to everyone. It is also not just about classical music which not everyone enjoys. A friend is attending an Elton John concert tonight at a price which is not affordable for many of us.
As an apparent Caucasian male born in the United States to a family which was poor enough to be, at times, food challenged, I had opportunities which were not available to everyone. I won the lottery in terms of my perceived race (actually not even lose to 100% Caucasian), my gender and my perceived sexual identity. I also won the lottery in terms of some of the amazing teachers in the poor, regional school located in the small town of Kellyville, Oklahoma.
Since attending that country school. I have been able to take advantage of some opportunities which could have led to a career which allowed me to be one of those able to afford a table at last night’s gala. I have chosen, however, a path which allows me a better income than most of the people in the world, but which does not come close to being in the 1% which now has a large share of the wealth in the United States. The fact that I had a choice still places me in the ranks of the privileged.
Privilege is never earned or deserved. One might take advantage of it. One might use that privilege to serve others. One might even choose a life of relative poverty although poverty for religious orders or other intentional communities is often a relative term.
In the week to come I want to be more aware of the price that is paid for privilege; of the price that is paid for accepting privilege while not doing all one can to end privilege.
Written September 16, 2018
It is a hot, humid morning - a morning sans the rain which is causing such destruction in parts of the United States, but particularly in those areas closest to the landfall of Hurricane Florence. Hurricanes, typhoon and other acts of nature are also visiting many other parts of the world. Here in Wheeling, West Virginia, the predicted major flood did not visit, although some did have some significant flood damage.
Last night I attended the opening Pittsburgh Symphony concert of the 2018-2019 season. A Gala/Soiree began prior to the concert and continued after the concert with dinner. The Gala was a black-tie event. When I arrived a bit early, I was able to observe elegantly dressed women and nattily dressed men arriving in their freshly washed, expensive cars which the valet parked. Most of the people I saw appeared to be Caucasian, although I did see some people of color. The fact that one needed to sponsor a table seating from 12 to 8 people ranging in price from $50,000.00 to $10,000.00 excluded many, although, to be fair, often an organization or business purchases a table for such events. Also, I want to be clear that the money raised is to be used for programs of the Symphony, the recipients of which are often the school age children of Pittsburgh. I am aware that despite the number of tickets sold just for the concert cannot cover the expense of one concert.
The fact that my ticket for the symphony places me high up in the balcony does, in no way, diminish my enjoyment. The acoustics of Heinz Hall, the home of the Pittsburgh Symphony home performances, are outstanding. Still I am acutely aware that I am one of the privileged ones who can afford to purchase a limited season ticket and to drive the 120-mile round trip in a safe, dependable car.
Eula Biss in our September 13, 2018 On Being conversation with host Krista Tippett reminds the listener that the word privilege implies that someone is getting something which someone else is not getting. If everyone could purchase a ticket to the Pittsburgh Symphony and pay the related expenses of attending then it would not be a privilege to attend. Of course, there is another level of privilege. The fact that I got introduced to classical music and learned to enjoy it means that I enjoy a luxury not available to everyone. It is also not just about classical music which not everyone enjoys. A friend is attending an Elton John concert tonight at a price which is not affordable for many of us.
As an apparent Caucasian male born in the United States to a family which was poor enough to be, at times, food challenged, I had opportunities which were not available to everyone. I won the lottery in terms of my perceived race (actually not even lose to 100% Caucasian), my gender and my perceived sexual identity. I also won the lottery in terms of some of the amazing teachers in the poor, regional school located in the small town of Kellyville, Oklahoma.
Since attending that country school. I have been able to take advantage of some opportunities which could have led to a career which allowed me to be one of those able to afford a table at last night’s gala. I have chosen, however, a path which allows me a better income than most of the people in the world, but which does not come close to being in the 1% which now has a large share of the wealth in the United States. The fact that I had a choice still places me in the ranks of the privileged.
Privilege is never earned or deserved. One might take advantage of it. One might use that privilege to serve others. One might even choose a life of relative poverty although poverty for religious orders or other intentional communities is often a relative term.
In the week to come I want to be more aware of the price that is paid for privilege; of the price that is paid for accepting privilege while not doing all one can to end privilege.
Written September 16, 2018
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