Most people want to believe that the success they’ve achieved is due only to their own capabilities and hard work. Which isn’t to say that hard work and talent do not play a role, but there are also economic and social disparities present in our system that lead to “winners” and “losers,” as in the aforementioned classroom example.

For this reason, I was glad to see The Durango Herald’s Jan. 26 story “It’s time to start the conversation.” However, I was disappointed in the online comments that accompanied this article (per usual). There were not any overtly hateful statements made, but quite a few people seemed to completely dismiss the need for a conversation about race, which in itself demonstrates how much this conversation is needed.

I would love to see the Herald do a follow-up story on the topic of privilege, and what it means from both an individual and a systemic standpoint. I hope that the people in this community will be willing to really think about privilege in their own lives, even though it may make them feel uncomfortable. Until people are willing to acknowledge that this privilege does exist, nothing will change.

Amanda Saunders

Durango