Debt of Privilege

“Privilege is not knowing when you’re hurting others.”

Recently, I had the opportunity to lie down and binge-watch Paatal Lok, a popular Hindi show. A very well made show which deals with everything wrong in the country from violence to caste-based discrimination to corruption, and how the rich and powerful will always get away with what they desire.

The thing that compelled me to come here and jot down my thoughts was the portrayal of Chitrakoot, a small town in MP. Rape, murder, crimes against Dalits, and what not. Everything is out in the open, and nobody bats an eye. I can’t help but believe that this world exists, and my privilege of being brought up by supportive and financially stable parents, in a metro has kept me far from knowing anything about it. It is also my privilege to be able to adopt a consumer mindset and spend an entire day binge-watching a show for entertainment.

I have worked hard to be studying in an elite institute, with the best brains of the country, to have the opportunities available to me and to be looked up to by younger kids, but my success isn’t mine at all. I am just the face of it. With the resources that I have been privileged to have, I am dishonest to everybody who has invested in me, when I sit in front of the screen for hours at a stretch consuming content. When I think about hefty packages, driving beautiful cars, and living extravagantly, I let down everybody who worked as hard but couldn’t make it big because they were born under different circumstances. I am weak when I complain about an unfair life.

At this point, all I can do is acknowledge every help I have received and work hard so that I can give back what I got, and pay off my debt of privilege. But before that, I apologize for my individualistic mindset, for using my unfair and lucky privilege to adopt a consumer mindset and for seeking instant gratification wherever possible. I will be a better man.