Superpowers of the Super World

Dear Super World,

Earlier this week someone told me, "It baffles me that Blacks were forced into slavery, torn from their culture, ripped from family, raped, and dehumanized by Whites BUT continue to be considered the greatest 'threat' to society"; this was their response after I asked about their thoughts on Ferguson. Talk about a powerful statement, it so eloquently wrapped up the racial disparity between Black and White America.

I don't have a stance on the Mike Brown incident - as NO ONE knows the entire story; be that the perspective of the media, police, witnesses, and Mike Brown. I do however have a stance on what it means to be Black in America today; it is HARD. For those who may be tired of hearing about racially charged incidents with law enforcement, believe me I am too. However, we are likely tired of the conversation for two different reasons. I can confidently say that the conversation on race will continue as long as there is a lack of willingness to accept and improve racial disparities in America.

I can only speak for myself when I say, just as it is uncomfortable for you to accept the ways in which you have it easier than me, it is equally as uncomfortable for me to accept the ways in which I have it harder than you - simply based on the color of my skin. Every negative assumption, stereotype, flaw, and weakness associated with Blacks have been handcrafted and forced onto us by White privilege since slavery. To be fair there are Blacks who reinforce the impoverished, uneducated, crime ridden, and sexually charged standard of Black America. However, reinforcement is likely committed by those who have been exposed to this "reality" for generations and lack the proper resources and support to overcome this sense of identity.

The strong, determined, educated, talented and unwavering Black America however are all characteristics Blacks have had to force on the entirety of multicultural America. We have had to work hard at convincing our fellow citizens that we too are capable of accomplishing anything. For many years the media has had a heavy emphasis on the injustices Blacks and rightfully so. The struggles of Black America is something to taken seriously and it is good that efforts are being made for everyone to hear our story.

While Blacks are the poster child of racial inequity other races have a similar story to tell. The struggles of any disadvantaged person is important. Just as no sin is greater than another, no disparity is greater than another. Whether someone is targeted because of their race, sexual orientation, gender, or whatever else these characteristics effect a person's quality of life. Black America is only one slice of the traditional American inequity pie. Almost EVERYONE'S identity is made up of privileges and disadvantages.


Here is my non-exhaustive list identity characteristics:
(Advantage and disadvantage is the way in which the norms, mores, and laws of America's society effect me)
Name: Alexandra (privilege)
Race: Black (disadvantage)
Gender/Sex: Woman/Female (disadvantage)
Sexual Orientation: Straight (privilege)
Ability: Fully Able physically and mentally (privilege)
Religion: Christian (privilege)
Age: Young Adult (privilege)
Weight: Under weight (privilege)
Nationality: American (privilege)
Socioeconomic Status: Middle Class (both disadvantage/privilege)
Education Level: Bachelor's (privilege)

Privilege comes in many forms and we must not ignore the different privileges that exist. Being Black is one of the many disadvantages that make up my identity, but I also have an overwhelming amount of privilege as well. Privilege does not automatically make you a bad person; but denying, justifying, or ignoring it as if it doesn't exist or matter does make you rather ignorant and selfish. Each of those actions contribute to the continued oppression and marginalization of people, you have the power to be the exception.

How we utilize our privilege to help grant equity to those who are marginalized is what matters. We must fix the socially unjust laws of America by equalizing privilege. Some of you have the racial privilege in helping break the mold that is White dominant norms and mores. Some of you have gender privilege and are able to break the mold that is Male dominant expectations and rules. Others have a sexual orientation privilege that grants you the ability to break the mold that is heterosexual dominant norms of marriage and relationships. Privilege and disadvantage is in all of us.

I don't expect this entry to change anyone's perspective on Ferguson, I only hope to challenge my community to be better. Is it possible to hold one another accountable of forgiveness, helping each other out, being honest, learning from mistakes, and moving forward? We all have a story that deserves to be heard and understood. Our privileges provide us the ability to pay it forward and make this place a little easier to enjoy for all who walk this very complicated life.


Sincerely,


Wander Woman

p.s. I guess one could technically call these privileges a superpower, right? 

Wander Woman & Wonder Woman

Dear Super World,

I'm writing to you today with a dilemma. People often call me Wonder Woman but that is not my sole identity. You see, Wonder Woman is strong, powerful, and unstoppable. She conquers and achieves all that she needs and desires. Talented in every way, she achieves greatness effortlessly through her natural superpowers of ambition and confidence; she is a "go-getter" by all means. In addition to that she loyally serves by the side of her Super Man. Metaphorically speaking Super Man is anything outside of herself; it is her romantic relationship, religion, work, family, school, really anything. She is dedicated to being the greatest Wonder Woman for all the world to see. But World, this is society's claim to womanhood.

I am torn for I am like Wonder Woman in many ways, but I am also like Wander Woman. Wander Woman is a superhero undisclosed, she is delicate, emotional, and introspective. She thoughtfully reflects on her actions both present and past and wanders this world seeking greater purpose everyday. Wander Woman walks alone to better understand her surroundings, to prevent clouded and polluted judgement. She  is selfish and self-centered, despite having a Super community rooting for her, her greatest fan and critic can only be she alone. Wander Woman is a working women, she is always working to be the greatest Wander Woman for herself to see. World, this is my claim to MY womanhood.

I guess the best solution to my dilemma is to confess... All too often I have applied pressure on myself to be perceived as only Wonder Woman. These controlled perceptions are accurate, I AM strong, ambitious, smart, intimidating, confident, outgoing, and many other "great" things. I am also weak, ignorant, scared, timid, insecure, and many other "opposing" things; I deem these qualities opposing because none of them are "bad". We control what we share and how we want others to see us. We limit the opportunity for others to have free judgement of us, by only sharing our achievements that have been accomplished by our great qualities; rather than share the opposing qualities that play a role in our weaknesses and hardships. But, ALL of these qualities are relative as they rarely, IF EVER, function at 100% 24/7.

The reality is that these opposites actually, create community. They create opportunity for us to share, grow, and learn from one another in our most troubling times. This of course is easier said than done but let me be the first to take a step in that direction. Most of you are already familiar with Wonder Woman as she relates to my life and many of the women in your life. Few of you know about Wander Woman and her relevance.

I present my blog "Letters from Wander Woman", a compilation of stories, thoughts, and/or life lessons based on the experiences of a 20-something year old woman seeking her life's purpose and soul searching in the times of technology, singleness, and youth.

Thank you for taking the time to read my first post.

Yours truly,

Wander Woman