Speaking of white privilege

I need to check my check my self.  Seriously.



My lovely friend Matt called me this afternoon to ask “Where can I buy ice?”  I was confused by his question  “What do you mean ice?”  Matt repeated “Ice.  You know, ice!”  I thought I was mishearing him, why would he be calling me to ask about ice and so I switched into Spanish thinking this would help clarify the word I was mishearing.  “¿Quieres comprar hielo?  ¡¡SI  HIELO!! ICE!!  This man is bright man, a genius really I couldn’t figure out why he was asking me.   “Have you tried a grocery store?”



He started to laugh.  He was laughing at me!  “You know,” he continued “about half of the city is without electricity?”  I explained yeah I knew that.  I knew that electricity had gone out for most people on Sunday but I hadn’t been effected at all.  I had electricity, what did ice have to do with electricity?  Why did he need ice and why couldn’t he just go to a grocery store.



“A lot of grocery stores are closed because they don’t have electricity and those that do have electricity keep selling out.  People need ice for their food that is going bad.”   I hadn’t really thought about grocery stores not being open…I had gone shopping before the storm hit and my electricity had only been out a few hours so everything was still good.



I was a total Republican.  I was the white man with privilege. I hadn’t thought about anyone else actually suffering in anyway…what do you mean you don’t have electricity…I have electricity.   What do you mean you don’t have food I have food.  I finished by teasing Matt that if he were only slightly whiter like me that he could have white privilege and have had electricity too.



In a very much related topic,  If you receive food stamps in Ohio, you can receive replacement food stamps covering up to the cost of one month of food stamps if you lost food due to it going bad during this continuting electric outage.   Expect a long line at the opportunity centers when you go into ask for your food stamp augmentation…I was at the North Opportunity Center today and the line was out the door.



Additionally, the electric outage has effected food banks in that they have had to scramble to find storage for their food and have an increased amount of those seeking assistance.



More info on Food Stamp augmentation here  and on the Ohio food banks here.



On a note only related due to the fact there is no electricity, the Monster House is still having bands play tonight, guests are encouraged to bring flashlights as the venue as it is without electricity.