142. Half the battle is lost or won the moment you are born

These 12 words represent all inequality in the world.

I first learned this phrase from a mentor of mine. He had brought his daughter to a part of India where children were literally dying around them. Being raised in white America, where privilege could almost be considered an epidemic, this was shocking.

Think about the phrase. Being born is the first major decision of your life… and it’s entirely out of your control. You have no say when you’re born, who you’re born to or what colour you are.

The moment you take your first breath, you’re breathing in the values and stereotypes bestowed upon “your people”. You’re pure but by simply existing, you are corrupted by the words people use to describe you.

Privilege is a scary thing. All children are born equal, but it’s us that makes them unequal in our judgments.

The next time you think the world is against you, remember that half your battle was probably already won before you even existed.

Previously…

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