The Intersection of Resilience and Ignorance: A Reflection on Privilege

Understanding Resilience and Ignorance

It can be rather odd to compare the perceptions of both resilience and ignorance. Two drastically different concepts, yet when broken down, each can be equally used as tools for survival.

The reason I have mentioned the two, as well as combined them together in comparison, is to highlight what is often curated and experienced by those that are privileged, in contrast to those who are less fortunate.

The Nature of Resilience

Resilience requires hardship. It demands adversity and real-life situations that ignite trauma and inflame unrest.

The Nature of Ignorance

Ignorance requires insulation. It thrives in the absence of exposure, protected by comfort and shielded by privilege. It does not demand hardship or adversity. Instead, it feeds off detachment, the luxury of not having to know, not having to experience, and not having to care.

My Journey of Discovery

When I relocated to the United Kingdom, I used my privilege to create comfort in my new existence. Yet, it has been humbling to be reminded of how swiftly privilege can be taken away. One slight change in our journey, one choice, or one unexpected altercation can shift everything in an instant.

I began my career in human rights, working within a charity for some of the most vulnerable people in London. This line of work places me among those who have little to no privilege. Stripped of capacity due to deep traumas and systemic biases, these men are confined by structures that discriminate and limit their accessibility and freedoms. They are stigmatised, misunderstood, and neglected. I find myself working with some of the most complex individuals: reoffenders, substance misusers, and those burdened with severe mental health challenges.

Facing the Challenge

Often deemed the most unwanted in society, I initially felt out of place. I was a young 25-year-old female, thousands of kilometers away from my networks, tasked with supporting, caring, and facilitating change for these men.

Instinctually, I should have felt terrified, my very core screaming that I wasn’t safe. The unpredictability of this work is known, and incidents can be extreme. Yet, despite this, I find myself deeply invested in their well-being. It’s a complex and conflicting feeling to want to support these men while also grappling with the reality of their actions.

A Profound Moment of Reality

I see them fighting on the streets, their crises laid bare beyond the safety of the hostel walls. Bystanders film and laugh. I want to step in, to advocate for their dignity. They appear as violent men, yet underneath, they are really children that were never allowed to be children.

I once saw one of our men so deeply under the influence that he collapsed on the footpath in front of me. He surrendered to his sorrow and grief after being told his daughter no longer wanted contact. Just a week before, he had confided that he would die for his family, that without them, he felt there was nothing to live for.

As he curled into a fetal position, the public walked by. They asked if I was okay, but never if he was.

We were both not okay, but for very different reasons.

The Weight of Privilege

The hardest challenge I have had to overcome is the realization that I get to leave. I can remove myself each day and return to the sanctuary and security of my home, clocking off from their problems. This is their reality, and mine is one of privilege.

This stark truth struck me when I was cleaning a room for the arrival of a new client. Opening his door and bringing his items in for the first time, I saw his reality- four walls, a space that was his ‘home.’ Ten years of this cycle, moved from one support organization to another. This was not new to him. However, the unspoken words found in the hopelessness of his eyes said more than words ever could.

The Privilege of Vulnerability

This work is challenging, yet it is a privilege to be part of a space where vulnerability is allowed. A place where emotions can surface, sometimes through anger, sometimes through silence.

Even in their most volatile moments, I feel sadness for them. They are imprisoned by their trauma, reliant on heroin, crack, and alcohol to numb their thoughts. Grown men, desperate and vulnerable, often passing out in corridors.

Human Connection in the Face of Adversity

One day, I found myself in the communal kitchen, where three residents stood deep in conversation. They were vastly different in backgrounds, ages, and experiences, yet they were united in their current stage of life, sharing space in supported accommodation.

Hoping to be discreet, I intended to leave them to their discussion. However, I was immediately welcomed into the conversation by one of the men. They were discussing whether it’s still appropriate for adults to enjoy blowing bubbles. One resident had a bubble blower with him, and the three were engaged in a lively conversation about its suitability.

It struck me that here I was, surrounded by three grown men, laughing over the simple joy of blowing bubbles. Their laughter over the absurdity of the concept was infectious. Each shared thoughts and fond stories linked to this uncomplicated act.

In this moment, I saw the young child within each of these men. All three I had witnessed in crisis, yet for a brief moment, there was nothing more than shared laughter. That shared joy reminded me of our human experience.

The Search for Joy

At the core of everything, we desire and love to experience the simple joys of life, much like the innocent act of blowing bubbles. Despite our differences, we all need a good belly laugh.

There is delight in human connection. Even with varied struggles, we can share in simple pleasures. In these fleeting moments, no trauma, substance use, or chaos infiltrates us. We are just people, equal and understanding.

I see young men, often misunderstood. They contain many layers. Above all, they carry hope. Even if it is fleeting, this hope has immense power.

Reflections on Connection

How wonderful is this life and the connections we can make? I often reflect while walking alongside an unlikely character, me- a young woman in my 20s, sharing space with those society may overlook.

The curious looks from passersby do not hold weight. They do not know the beauty of these connections. The lessons and reflections they force upon us are profound. The mutual understanding, trust, and forgiveness create a humbling exchange.

This exchange is impartial and neutral, bridging two vastly different worlds of experience. Both sides are just trying to navigate life together.

Navigating Disparities

Working in the heart of the city presents a stark contrast in my everyday experiences. Sitting on a balcony in a client’s commissioned home, my view is of million-dollar terraces. Yet, here I sit, surrounded by a kitchen with no hot water, cupboards fallen off their hinges, and mold sprouting from the walls.

Brick and mortar form a barrier, not just physically but represent the immense disparity of wealth, privilege, and systemic inequality.

Nature and nurture intertwine here. Upbringing, circumstances, and trauma shape our paths in ways privilege often shields us from recognising. For many, it feels like potluck. Some are born into stability, while others face hardship before establishing a foundation. The difference isn’t always about effort or will, it’s about the hand we are dealt.

Using Privilege for Good

We must remind ourselves to use our privilege for good, to listen, to learn, and to bridge the divide. At the end of the day, we are all shaped by circumstances, seeking the same joys, understanding, and sense of belonging.

Privilege isn’t just about what we have; it’s about the choices we make with it.

In conclusion, as we navigate our lives, may we cultivate compassion and understanding for one another, embracing our shared humanity, even amidst our differences.