Reflections at the end of week 1 with MDS

By Parker Sullivan

 

Today, May 9, was another productive work day and the end of our first work week with MDS. Each of our three groups were working at the same separate sites as the rest of the week. My group spent the day finishing up our work at the Fitts house, installing doors, painting, and cleaning any areas that needed it. We also spent time playing with the Fitts kids with footballs we brought for them to play with as well as feeding a stray cat who is now known as “Garfield” or “Cheese” that was in need of a meal. Towards the end of the work day we got to see some other MDS sites and also worked on cleaning out the vehicles and our living quarters.

 

While I’m working or even just laying in bed I have been thinking a lot about privilege and what privilege is. The standard definition of privilege is “a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group”. This definition is how I have always thought of privilege and although it is not wrong I am now starting to think of privilege in a new way. It has been raining and storming off and on during our trip and I have always enjoyed the storms. After installing new windows earlier this week, I heard the Fitts family say they don’t have to think about water coming into the house and I realized enjoying the rain is a privilege that not everybody has. I also had some great conversations with other members of our group and MDS volunteers that have helped me truly realize what privilege is. I was talking to my group leader, Jonathon, this morning and he told me “Privilege is when you don’t have to think about something”. This definition, as simple as it may be, really stuck out to me. Privilege is when you don’t have to think about rain leaking into your house. Privilege is when you don’t have to think about walking down the street at night alone. Privilege is when you do not have to think about your next meal. Privilege is when you don’t have to think about where you can find a ball to play with. Privilege is when you don’t have to think about the color of your skin affecting how people treat you. Privilege is when you don’t have to think.

By Parker Sullivan