Discussions of privilege have two frames of reference. One is that of those who feel held back, unheard or unseen by those with more power and privilege. The other is of those with power and privilege who use it toward their own ends. What do you do when you realize that you are part of the problem?

This is the story of how I came to realize that my use of power was negatively impacting my work with others, sometimes even causing them harm. When faced with my complicit engagement in the systems of patriarchy and racism, I realized that I had a lot of work to do. I will talk about how I am learning to use my own power, voice and skills to push back against those systems.

Perhaps, you are struggling to see a path through this work to a different future. Perhaps you are finding your way through your own biases and cognitive dissonance and are looking for empathy. Perhaps you are the one who feels held back, unseen or unheard by those with privilege and power. My hope is that sharing my own story can help us all feel a bit more optimistic that the world is on a slow, but steady, path toward change.