On Monday, Reddit user u/IStanPegasus asked, "What do people not realize is a privilege?" People provided some super-interesting examples about things that Americans might not even realize are privileges.
Here's what they shared:
1."The ability to actually be a kid when young. It's heartbreaking how many children have to grow up/are hardened before they even hit puberty."
—u/fibagik
2."Drinkable tap water."
—u/pitt20
3."Having a safe place to sleep. I'm very privileged to have a safe place to live, and I understood it more since the start of the pandemic. Not having a safe, stable, comfortable home has to be hell when you are on lockdown."
—u/ClauMoir
Photographer, Basak Gurbuz Derma / Getty Images
4."Having a body where everything works properly."
—u/edpmis02
5."Having emotionally, financially stable parents that care about and support you."
—u/SolarisIX
6."Buying groceries without having to carefully consider prices."
—u/Apxm
Images By Tang Ming Tung / Getty Images
7."Hot showers. They're the best thing ever, and everyone takes them for granted."
—u/TheLegendofMikeHawk
8."A guaranteed next meal. Food insecurity is terrifying. I have been fortunate that coming from a poor family, I always had food. Thinking of all the kids who were out of school due to COVID that were on free and reduced meals breaks my heart."
—u/Danobing
9."Having a car: I've noticed that in the US, even poor people have cars. Here, in Venezuela, it is pretty damn expensive to have and maintain a car, and there's no credit option."
—u/Agile_Objective_2252
Westend61 / Getty Images/Westend61
10."Having a phone: There's rarely an American without a phone."
—u/Agile_Objective_2252
11."Some places in the South of the US might relate, but you do not get BUGS, BUGS, EVERYWHERE, like other places."
Philippe Turpin / Getty Images/Photononstop RF
12."Free K–12 education and literacy in general."
—u/Greentea503
13."Easy ability to travel internationally. The right passport will take you places."
—u/Xerxes2004
14."Pretty privilege. I was denied so many opportunities (in performances) in high school because multiple teachers all just said, 'People don't want to look at you.'"
—u/swagmain
15."Honestly, living life without any form of mental illness. It’s becoming less and less common, but a lot of the people that do don’t realize just how lucky they are."
—u/SmolAnxiousSprinkle
And lastly:
16."Being vaccinated. People from underdeveloped countries like mine have people dying from preventable disease. My moms mother crossed a war zone after a devastating earthquake so my mom could get a smallpox vaccine."
—u/NoAd3629