Emerald’s Gem Box…

When you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression

I recently saw a story on Facebook entitled "When You're Accustomed to Privilege, Equality Feels Like Oppression" and thought, "AMEN!"
Then I saw who had posted the story and felt sure that the meaning behind this headline would be something different than what I thought it would mean. So, I clicked on the link, which took me to HuffingtonPost.com and I proceeded to read the story.

The article started with a background story of how (the author) worked in a restaurant and didn't get along with another employee who thought he was better than everyone else.
This particular "bully" employee would walk a straight line and expected everyone else to move out of the way or be bumped into. The "bully" always expected to have the 'right-of-way.' So, one day (the author) decided he had enough and decided not to move and held his path straight. The two bumped into each other. The "bully" employee was furious and demanded to know why he had bumped into him. (The bully) then proceeded to try to pick a fight with him.
Management stepped in and (the bully) was reprimanded.

Then (the author) shifted gears to compare that memory to 'all the angry people who think "All Lives Matter,"' to 'all the people angry over Muslims,' to 'all the people angry about "Happy Holidays,'" to 'all the people angry about religious freedom,' (and the list went on). HIS comparison was to say that it boils down to (these) people who have grown accustomed to walking straight at other folks and expecting them to move. So, when the people in their path don't move and start standing up for themselves, then it feels like their rights are being taken away.
Thus, his scenario of "When You're Accustomed to Privilege, Equality Feels Like Oppression."
The article went on for a few more hundred words and the more I read, the madder I got.

I, for one, do believe All Lives Matter. I do say "Merry Christmas." I do believe in religious freedom. In all of those things, I don't consider myself a "bully." Because I stand up for my right to say a prayer in public; to be able to display the Ten Commandments on the courthouse lawn; to publicly proclaim and celebrate Christmas as a holiday for Jesus' birth; and stand up for business owners' rights, Clerk of the Court's right or Preacher's right to say no to something they don't believe in does NOT make me "Privileged," it means I have moral convictions and stand strong in defending them.
Because I think ALL LIVES MATTER does not mean I think one race is better than the other. It does not mean I think police brutality is a good thing. It means that I believe that ALL LIVES MATTER and all these people who apparently think they should "walk straight and not move" and are now going out and murdering innocent policemen have no place in our society or world.

When I finished reading this particular article, I understood what (the author) was actually trying to say.
I did/do see what his "moral" to his story was. But how he was trying to convey it – is just wrong.
If I put the Three Calvary Crosses on my property and someone is offended and demands that I take it down….. who exactly is it that is being the "bully?"

If I don't believe in something and choose not to participate in it (bake a cake, for example) and someone is offended and demands that I do what they want me to do or they will sue me…. who exactly is it that is being the "bully?"
If I wake up every morning at 4:00 a.m., do all my household chores, then go to work from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00–8:00 p.m., work hard all day and want to keep my money all for myself but, in doing so someone is offended that I have more money than them and demands that I share my money with them... who exactly is it that is being the "bully?"
No, ladies and gentlemen... to me, "When You're Accustomed to Privilege, Equality Feels Like Oppression" means "those people" are actually the ones that are rebelling against those of us who want them to be equal. Let's ALL be equal and quit expecting the "other people" to give us everything we want.

Don't like my cross? Then shut your eyes! But don't start "crying" because I wear one or put one on my property!
Don't like what I'm saying? Then don't listen! But don't start "crying" because I won't change my words to not hurt your feelings!

Don't like to see me pray? Then don't look! But don't start "crying" and demanding that I quit praying in public!
Don't like the song "Baby It's Cold Outside?" Then turn the radio off! But don't start "crying" and demanding the song be removed, so the rest of us quit listening to it too!

Grow up! Pay your own way through college like the rest of us did! Get up and go to work! Pay your own bills! Don't expect a hand-out!

"When You're Accustomed to Privilege, Equality Feels Like Oppression" means that when you are used to being handed everything in life and treated like a spoiled brat (privileged); but then one day you actually have to work for what you want/need and have to pay your own way through life, like the rest of us (equality); and it makes you feel oppressed … therein lies the problem.