Risk Assessment
This risk I take each day,
as the sun rises
and I face the world
not knowing if I will
see the end of day,
or what awaits me
once the sun sets,
is of no consequence.
What do I know of risk
in the convenience
of my world of privilege
when considered
beside that taken daily
by those who are denied,
those who are judged
before they act?
This poem is my response to Poetics: Take a risk!,
the prompt from Tricia Sankey at dVerse Poet’s Pub.
Image source: Pete Linforth at Pixabay
rivrvlogr 
This is a sobering write … well done!!
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Thank you, Helen.
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This is such a great heartfelt poem Ken. You have reminded us both of privilege and risk that is around us all the time. And that many struggle under our stereotypes and judgements.
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Exactly. Thank you so much, Dwight.
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clear-eyed ~
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Thanks.
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A pertinent question which all those who live privileged lives should ask themselves.
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Thank you. Unfortunately, it’s so easy to take for granted all that we have.
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It’s a hard truth that too many are pre-judged. (K)
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It seems to be the default.
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A sober reminder of the haves and have-nots.
Makes you stop and think.
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Thank you.
And thank you for stopping by.
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Agree – my views/responses are conditioned reflexes, “given” through my exposures since birth. The challenge of maturity is to question ALL assumptions, approach EVERYTHING like a statue in a museum – walk around it multiple times, observing from different angles, pondering how the maker came up with this representation, how this encountered stance reflects my inner stance – allow it to CHANGE my inner stance.
Many seem focused on defending their inner stances without ever questioning them.
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Preconceived notions can lead to mistakes. I make too many, as it is. There’s caution, and there’s prejudice. I wove my way around the latter, long ago.
In 1972, when I was 19, I sold a car to the first people to look at it – a black woman and her teenage son. We lived in a suburb, and I agreed to drive the car to her home on Buffalo’s east side, a predominantly African American section of the city. My father about had a heart attack. He insisted that he and his friend be the ones to accompany me, take me back home in his car. I could have been more cautious, but nothing happened. My father wasn’t outwardly bigoted, never used the ‘N’ word, but I think he worried that I was too naive.
Later that year, I’d say that definitely was the case. I was on Buffalo’s west side at night with some friends when one of them had his face slashed with a razor. Even so, I’ve learned I can be cautious without being prejudiced.
https://rivrvlogr.com/2016/04/16/no-longer-innocents/
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I love the social justice advocacy in this, thank you Ken.
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Thank you, Paul.
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I always like when people raise awareness of privilege and challenge their own privilege; nicely done.
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Thank you.
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Ken,
Privilege is a risky thing: you may think you have it one day, and lose it the next. Revolutions are the turning points of history..
pax,
dora
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I’ve often wondered that in any of my past lives did a live some as a different race. I have great affinity for Native Americans and blacks. Your poem cranks up our sensitivity to our taken for granted privileges.
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Thank you, Glenn. There are plenty out there who could use a little self-examination.
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We are so blessed, knowing that for some every morning is a true risk of not making it to the next.
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Indeed. Thank you, Björn.
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Yes, the truly fortunate never understand the daily risks so many have to navigate just to eat and breathe and exist. It’s important to assess our privilege and your words are appreciated! 💝
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Thank you, Tricia.
And thank you for the prompt.
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You speak truth. For some the risk is great simply to survive the day, to have water to drink and food for the belly, to have shelter in safety. Our risk is small in comparison.
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Thank you, Beverly. It is, and, sadly, our charity could use a boost.
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We do live in a privleged world, but this takes awareness of what the risks mean to others who are not so fortunate. A good and timely perspective on our world.
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“What do I know of risk
in the convenience
of my world of privilege”
You got it right there!
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Thanks!
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This is incredibly deep and thought-provoking. I so wish the world would stop to think for a moment about where it stands when it comes to matters like this.
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Amen.
Thank you, Sanaa.
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