I am privileged

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is motivational theory in psychology consisting of a five stage hierarchical model of human needs. For those of who went to college, we can probably remember this basic theory in Psych 101. Maslow (1943) theorized that people are motivated to achieve certain needs and some needs are more “important” than others.

This five-stage pyramid model indicates that the first four levels are referred to deficiency needs and the top level is known as growth needs (McLeod, 2016). The deficiency needs are theorized to motivate people when they are unmet and those unmet needs to be fulfilled; and the longer they are not fulfilled the stronger they become (i.e., the longer a person does not drink water they more thirsty they become). In addition, one must satisfy stage one before progressing to meet stage two, and so forth. Through life experiences (i.e. loss of job, death in family) people may move through the hierarchy uni-directional moving up and down through the pyramid.

The 5-stage original hierarchy of needs five-stage model are:

1. Biological and Physiological- air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep  

2. Safety needs- protection from elements, security, order, law, stability, freedom from fear

3. Love and belongingness needs- friendship, intimacy, trust, acceptance, receiving and giving affection and love. Affiliating, being part of a group (family, friends, work)

4. Esteem needs- achievement, mastery, independence, status, dominance, prestige, self-respect, respect from others

5. Self-actualization needs-realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences

This theory can transcend to various parts of our lives. For example, I had a person ask me why the Washington R******* issue was important because they deemed it as petty and that Natives have more important stuff to worry about (i.e, getting wood, affording food, getting clean water). At that moment, I thought that the person was thinking from a tunnel vision aspect and not understanding the bigger picture of how the mascot issues contribute to ongoing stereotyping and discrimination. Then, I had to re-think this from their perspective.

I had this epiphany a few months ago that I am privileged. I had this epiphany while I was debating with my White male colleague and told him he was/is privileged. As I was verbally stating that to him I realized that I am privileged too because we are both doctors, sitting in the same office, working for the same prestigious academic institution. I could not deny my new academic, economic, and professional status; although it still seems foreign to me majority of the time. I still consider myself a girl from the Rez and that will never change, however other people may see me different now.

With my newfound perspective, I have thought a lot. First, I have the luxury to worry about issues such as Native and stereotypes. I have the luxury to worry about and take action on so many Native issues because according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, I have my biological/physiological, safety needs, love and belongingness, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs met for the most part. Whereas Native people are worrying about obtaining their biological/physiological and safety needs, so they do not have the luxury to worry about other needs, such as self-actualization or love.

Further, it makes sense why domestic violence is a big issue in our communities. Many of our members are worried about those basic needs and love/belongingness is not their first priority compared to having food, water, warm house, etc…Many people in our Native communities worry about just getting through the day, the week, the month. I did not even think about my privileged status prior because I still feel I am the community and they are me and there is no separation. However, I could be more mindful and aware at times.