What is the relationship between privilege and passion?

In class we have had some truly intense discussions about privilege and how it encompasses our lives even if we are unaware of it. I had to really think about the relationship between passion and privilege, because they seem to be so different. Just because someone is comfortable financially does not imply they they will be happy. That they will be fulfilling their passion. In the Chabot College film The Passion Project, we see that following your dreams is directly related to finding your happiness. Karina gave a good example of that when she said, "They'd rather me be a nurse because they get money or they're in high demand or something and I don't wanna do that." I have had people tell me what major they think I should get. Fortunately my family has always been very open to what I should do.

A big topic in the The Passion Project was that teachers who were once probably very passionate about what they are teaching, become bored, and it shows in the classroom. I think everyone can name at least one teacher who seemed bored. What I enjoyed about The Passion Project was that they gave some great ideas for teachers to fall in love with teaching again. Tiffany had an idea of getting closer to the students, "If you want to get in tune with your class then you are going to have to get personal with them." I love this idea, the students change even if the content is the same. Tiffany also added that incorporating projects that "let you know what type of person you are." When teachers do that, it makes them feel like they want you to succeed. When you feel so lost, having someone believe in you restores a lot of faith in yourself.

I do not know if this is a really out there idea, but I think privilege can hold you back. I know that we are going to start reading the novel Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer soon, and not to spoil it for anyone, but it is about someone who felt that privilege was holding him back. Living a very posh life might seem nice but it removes the element of risk. Ray put it as, "[...]Without taking risks you're stuck in one place. It's when you take these risks when you pursue, it makes you pursue different things to open doors to possibilities." Without stepping out of our comfort zones once in awhile it is harder to grow as an individual. Chris McCandless in Into the Wild, needed to get away from privilege to get to know himself, because being privileged can be distracting. Passion allows risk to happen so you can achieve some dream you have.