It Has To Be OK To Be Me

When I guest lecture at colleges and universities, my talk is geared around how it is important to look at what privileges society hands you, whether you like it or not, in order to synthesize ways you might utilize it to pass opportunity on to others. I do so through the lens of my own professional journey, looking at how I began as a performer, but now work as an interviewer and advocate.

It is not right that the United States gives me special privileges as a white, cis, nondisabled, neurotypical, educated, housed, wealthy, native English-speaking citizen, but, having accepted that it does for the present moment, I may be able to create ways in which others might benefit. If society has handed me wood, nails, and a hammer for no reason, I see it as my job to build pulpits for others from the stock.