In New England, where I live now, poison ivy is commonplace. But in the UK, where I grew up, there is none. So unlike many New Englanders, I didn’t grow up with regular exposure to poison ivy; nor did I grow up looking out for it, or being able to identify it with a “leaves of three, let it be” chant as I walked through wooded areas.
In my last 20 years of living in the US, despite many hikes, and countless hours of yard work in areas with the plant, I haven’t reacted to poison ivy in the same way my wife and kids do. For most of my adult life I haven’t thought about it deeply, assuming I’d just somehow avoided touching it. But then a recent conversation with a friend got me thinking differently. She said that there’s evidence that if someone is not exposed to poison ivy before the age of five, they don’t react to it later in life. In doing some research, I haven’t found any studies online to back this up, but I have seen other research to show that at least 15% of people in the US are not allergic to poison ivy, and have no reaction to it. I’ve realized that I’m most likely part of that 15%. So over the last month – as we work on growing food in our yard and as my son works on building a treehouse in the woods behind our home – I have become the designated ‘poison ivy remover’ in our family. I’ve become much more adept at identifying it and diligent in working to remove it. And as I’ve been doing that, I’ve had time to reflect on how that connects with issues of privilege…
I thought I had always just avoided touching poison ivy and that others weren’t being as careful as me, but in fact, I might have been touching it often without realizing it, because it simply didn’t affect me. And just like so many areas of privilege, poison ivy is pervasive, with incredibly strong roots that are buried beneath the surface and strangle healthy growth over a large area. But once I became more aware of my own immunity – my own privilege – I realized that I am in the unique position within my family to do something about it; to do the work of exposing and removing the roots of this poisonous plant to change the conditions for everyone.
This Week’s Tip:
What is your own ‘poison ivy privilege’? As you go through your day, take a look at your own areas of privilege. Some you are already aware of, and may have become more aware of in recent weeks. But some privileges may seem small, such as my poison ivy example. Pay attention to those small privileges, and ask yourself how you can use your own privilege to improve the environment around you for those who are affected by their own ‘poison ivy.’
Try it out, and share your thoughts on our Facebook group!
Building Bridges Leadership 