By William Vilany, Liason of IVSA Americas
“Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” – Lao Tzu. After these words of wisdom I’d like to invite my readers to take a moment and reflect on their privileges, come up with their own questions and maybe think about those as well: Where do you stand in the world? (Literally and figuratively, pay attention to your surroundings and environment, be aware). Have you ever been targeted by violence in some way due to intolerance, to your gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, physical appearance or economic class? How has the history of the world, of your countrymen and family influenced your current position? Which of these privileges come as heritage? Does everyone in the world or even in your city have access to the same opportunities as you do? Is all of that fair? Would you like to trade places with others if you were granted the chance? Why is that so? How could YOU better other people’s lives with whatever powers were granted to you? How many strangers have you talked to on a deep level in the last month? And in the last year? How about the last five years then? When was the last time that you made someone’s life
better in some way by helping them out and you could sense their gratitude in such intensity that you even got a bit shocked, because to you, it didn’t even seem like it was that big a deal?
"It can be as simple as giving a sincere smile with a nod on the hallway, a warm greeting..." To me those are just some of the reflections that the PRIVILEGE project of SCoW can provoke. Just how aware are we of the reality of others and how much does it contrast with our own? By exploring the various questions that come up and also the answers on how one moves and acts to bring change to the world, I believe greater clarity, conscience and empathy can be achieved. I’m pleased to tell you that giving is better than receiving (there have even been scientific studies that showed that spending money to others´ benefit made the spenders happier than spending it on
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