The privilege of semi-retired life

People ask me if I am busy (as in working) and I reply, "As busy as I want to be," which is sort of smug. The poor folks are getting up and getting to a job some miles away each day and are distorted by time and stress. It shows in their faces. They smile and say (under their breath) "You lucky stiff" or sometimes "You lazy slob." At least that is what I think they are saying.

Doing what I do is "the life" with one exception; I still have to make a few bucks for the next couple of years to make our budget work. So from time to time Aleene asks me if what I am doing is free (pro bono) or for pay. She just has to know. Two years ago I fretted about working or not for about the first month, then the calls started and I have never looked back. When we took the winter off this year I had to choke off some opportunities and then I am having to get the process moving again, but never fear, something always comes up. Some folks might say "...God provides." But I don't feel that way.

God has given me my talents and He jacks me up once in a while to get out and use them to the best of my ability, but I don't want to think that He makes people call me for work opportunities because I am not worthy of that kind of attention from Him. But, hey, if that explanation works for some folks, then that is fine with me. The point is we are called to do our best and when we do the doors begin to open. Our best is often not the most top notch performance, but rather the most sincere, empathetic, understanding and non-judgmental. People see you in that vein and that stimulates "business."

I have chosen to volunteer at two places...CDR as a mediator to try to bring people together because that is what humans who are blinded by anger need to do, and at the Woodrick Institute for Healing Racism, because I realize I am a person of privilege and want to help others understand how our system rewards some, but not others.

I said that to an acquaintance once and he said that Paris Hilton is a person of privilege...you worked for what you have accomplished. Well, Paris is a self absorbed young women (just an observation, not being judgmental, mind you).

But I am privileged:
I was born white that is worth about 30 yards in a 100 dash to success.
I was born male and while that is less of a factor today, it was probably worth 10 or 15 yard head start in the 1960s when I began.
I went to Penn State...not Harvard, but I can tell you that opened doors for me from the time I graduated through today...my first job at Campbell Soup had five Penn Staters in the HR corporate office...that was worth at least 5 yards in the race.
I also think that being over 6' tall was a plus and being over 6'2" was a bigger plus, but I am fortunate to be under 6'6" which then becomes a problem...do you agree? Let's see 6'4"...probably worth another 5 yards.
Lastly, I was a naval officer. To many that does not matter one whit, but again at CSC three of the top five corporate HR "guys" were ex-naval officers...and they recruited about three or four more of us (one was army) in the three years I was in Camden. I thnk that was worth maybe another 5 yard head start.
I could add that being Protestant in the old world was a plus. There were some very anti-Catholic companies around. Today that is muted, but there is discrimination by religion in lots of areas. I will not add any points for that...just to be safe.

So add them up. Tom gets to start 65 yards ahead of even the fastest runner and gets to the 100 yard mark first...dah. Some people start 95 yards ahead...that is some kind of privilege.

So you see why I have no problem with affirmative action? Too many folks are chosen for their positions still, today, because they have some status or ranking within our system. I think that once you get going it is up to you whether or not you make it, but getting through the door is still a problem in 2005.

Anyway, I tell my students that and they are taken aback. I don't think that hard working kids think much about the intangibles...it blows them away...and it should.

So I spread my message of mediation (Blessed are the peacemakers) to all who will listen and it is amazing how many are beginning to catch on. And by the way, Woodrick sometimes pays me for some of the stuff I do and so does the CDR...not because I deserve it, but because I have developed credibility with them and they love the message I send to their clients. If there is divine intervention in those contracts, then, thank you Lord...but I am still unworthy.