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A Treatise on Entitlement
What do you actually deserve?
As a white woman, who’s actively working to unpack my participation in a racist, sexist, and inequitable society, I’ve been thinking a lot about entitlement. An energy that prompts us to believe we deserve X, Y and Z.
Give it to me, it’s mine!
Especially in the field of spirituality, where messages about that which is our birthright are spread widely. I’ve spread some of these messages myself.
Entitlement is the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. Privileges extended based on the color of your skin, your gender, the amount of wealth you were born into, or how much ass you’re willing to kiss.
The one I’ve been struggling with the most, is the idea that because I’ve worked hard, put in the effort, even sacrificed to achieve my dreams, that I deserve to be more successful than I already am. Surely if I’ve done all these things, I’ve earned the right for the Universe to provide for me?
Yet, I look out into the world and see millions of human beings who’ve made even deeper sacrifices than I, and still struggle daily to meet their basic needs. In comparison, I have so much, although I live, by American standards, a modest lifestyle.
