Megan Fadeley and Michelle Wise Gendusa's Privilege Activities and Assignments

[**Please note: this information is available as a importable Canvas module. Please contact the faculty creators or Angela Rasmussen for more details.]

For Instructors: Privilege Discussion Questions

A privilege walk, or assignment is an experimental activity to demonstrate how people benefit or are marginalized by longstanding societal systems. Participation in a privilege activity is not meant to make anyone feel guilty or ashamed of his or her privilege or lack of privilege. Instead the intention of the exercise is help us better understand intersectionality and privilege as it relates to social identities. Everyone has SOME privilege and by illuminating our various privileges as individuals, we can discover and become aware of ways we can use our privileges individually and collectively to work toward social justice.

Here are some questions to assist in facilitating a class discussion: 

Not all questions will be an appropriate fit for all classroom settings (online, on-ground, hybrid, synchronous zoom)

While encouraging students to share in effort to enhance a greater learning experience for the class, students should also be given permission to “pass” on any question that makes them feel uncomfortable.

  1. How are you feeling right now in this moment?
  2. What were your initial thoughts in the moment? And what is your perspective now?
  3. Would anyone like to share more about how their feeling?
  4. Did anyone think they had experienced an average amount of privilege, but it turned out to be more or less than they thought?
  5. How did it feel to be one of the students on the “back” side of the line?
  6. How did it feel to be one of the students on the “front” side of the line?
  7. Was anyone alone on one side? How did that feel?
  8. Were there certain sentences that were more impactful than other?
  9. If you broke contact with the person next to you, how did you feel in that moment?
  10. How will this experience improve your relationship with yourself and other?

Finer points on Privilege:

  • Many privileges are unearned
  • All are designed to be invisible to those who have them
  • Not all privileges are significant advantages
  • Nearly all people have some privileges
  • Privilege doesn’t necessarily produce success
  • “-isms” are not about individuals, there are about systems

 

 

For the Class

[NOTE: Many of these activities and assignments are available as an importable Canvas module. Please contact the project developers or Angela Rasmussen if you would like access to that format.]

What is Privilege?

Privilege is a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.  -Definition by Oxford Languages

An invisible package of unearned assets that I can count on cashing in each day, but about which I was ‘meant’ to remain oblivious.” In another part of the essay, she describes the effect: " - Peggy McIntosh Links to an external site.

 

"When we identify where our privilege intersects with somebody else's oppression, we'll find our opportunities to make real change."

— Ijeoma Oluo (So You Want to Talk About Race)

 

What is a Privilege Activity?

A privilege walk, or assignment is an experimental activity to demonstrate how people benefit or are marginalized by longstanding societal systems. Participation in a privilege activity is not meant to make anyone feel guilty or ashamed of his or her privilege or lack of privilege. Instead the intention of the exercise is help us better understand intersectionality and privilege as it relates to social identities. Everyone has SOME privilege and by illuminating our various privileges as individuals, we can discover and become aware of ways we can use our privileges individually and collectively to work toward social justice.

 

Course Materials: 

Peggy McIntosh's " Download White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

" file

Read the following piece by Gina Crosley-Corcoran, "Explaining White Privilege to a Broke White Person" published in the Huffington Post (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/explaining-white-privilege-to-a-broke-white-person_b_5269255)

 

Online Privilege Student Activity

Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to learn about our individual privilege. If you need a refresher on this concept, think back to the article by Peggy McIntosh that we just read. That article may have ignited some strong feelings in you because privilege can be a very polarizing concept. Not all privileges are equal and not all lead to significant advantages. However, this activity will help you see that all of us have some privilege even when some have more than others. Acknowledging our places (and lack) of privilege is not meant to make anyone feel bad for having more or less than someone else.  We have all faced obstacles and advantages in life and recognizing our areas of privilege will help us put them to good use. Ijeoma Oluo says it beautifully in her book, So You Want to Talk About Race, "When we identify where our privilege intersects with somebody else's oppression, we'll find our opportunities to make real change." - and that, folks, is why identifying our privilege is so powerful. 

This privilege activity provides a visual representation of privilege. To get the most out of this exercise, resist the urge to feel defensive and try to remain open to how you may have benefited from certain experiences outside of your control.

Required Supplies: Collect 20 of the same item that can be easily stacked, hooked together or piled high. A great option would be 20 paperclips, 20 lego bricks, or 20 beads that you can string. You'll be able to put these things back when you're done so feel free to ask a friend, neighbor or kiddo to share if you don't have any of these laying around. In a pinch, open up that box of penne noodles that are sitting in your cupboard and then make yourself a snack when you're done! 

Task:

  1. Watch this 4 minute video: 
  3. Gather your 20 paperclips (or legos, beads...whatever you have)
  4. Read through the questions listed below and for every "yes" answer, add a paperclip (lego, etc.) For some questions you will taken an item away if it pertains to you. 
  5. As you move through the questions, take note of how you feel when you get to add an item. How do you feel when you take one away? These observations will be useful for our follow up Discussion Post so jot them down as you go if you think that will be helpful. 
  6. When you have gone through all of the questions, please take a photograph of your paperclip chain, lego stack or string of beads, etc. Here is an example:

Evaluation: You will NOT be graded on how long or short your paperclip chain is. All I am looking for, without judgement, is your photo showing a visual representation of "privilege". If you cannot upload a picture I will accept a written description instead.

  • High success = clear photograph showing the finished paperclip chain/lego tower/string of beads, etc. - OR - a written description clearly describing how your finished chain turned out.
  • Low success = no photo or desciption :( 

Questions: 

  1. If you are right-handed, add an item.
  2. If you ever attended a private school or a summer camp growing up, add an item.
  3. If you grew up with more than 50 books in your home, add an item.
  4. If you feel safe walking alone at night, add an item.
  5. If you studied the history and culture of your ethnic ancestors in elementary and secondary school, add an item.
  6. If you or a family member have a mental illness or physical disability, remove an item.
  7. If you never had to worry about having enough space to fit on an airplane seat, a restaurant booth or auditorium chair, add an item.
  8. If you or your family never had to move due to financial struggle, add an item.
  9. If you almost always see members of your race, sexual orientation, religion, and/or class, widely represented on television, in the newspaper, and the media in a POSITIVE manner, add an item.
  10. If you were to walk into a business and asked to speak to the person “in charge” you will see a person of your race, add an item.
  11. If school and work is not in session during the major (religious) holidays or other cultural events that you celebrate, add an item.
  12. If you were ever discouraged from any personal goal or dream because of your race, socioeconomic class, gender, sexual orientation, or physical/learning disability, remove an item.
  13. If you feel that people do not interpret your personal onions as a representation of your entire race, add an item.
  14. If you almost always feel comfortable with people knowing your sexual orientation, add an item.
  15. If you feel certain that you will not be followed, harassed, or watched under close surveillance while shopping, add an item.
  16. If you would not hesitate to call the police for help, add an item.
  17. If you have ever been talked over or ignored in a meeting or class discussion because of your gender, remove an item.
  18. If bandaids from mainstream stores match your skin tone, add an item.
  19. If you always assumed you would go to college, add an item.
  20. If you started school speaking a language other than English, remove an item.
  21. If you have ever been the only person of your race/ethnicity in a classroom or place of work, remove an item.
  22. If you grew up in a two-parent home, add an item.
  23. If you have ever had to sacrifice personal interests for the responsibility of others or other circumstances, remove an item.
  24. If you have ever been called names regarding your race, socioeconomic class, gender, sexual orientation, or physical/learning disability and felt uncomfortable, remove an item.
  25. If you were ashamed or embarrassed of your clothes, house, or car and wished to change it to avoid being judged or teased, remove an item.
  26. If you have ever been hesitant to speak to avoid being ridiculed because of your accent or speech impediment, remove an item.
  27. If you have never been mistreated or served less fairly in a place of business because of your race or ethnicity, add an item.
  28. If you have never skipped a meal or went away from a meal hungry because there was not enough money to buy food, add an item.
  29. If anyone in your immediate family has ever served time in a state or federal penitentiary, remove an item.
  30. If anyone in your immediate family has ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol, remove an item.

[The instructors made this assignment worth 50 points.] 

 

Follow Up Discussion

Before completing this Privilege Discussion Board, you must complete the Online Privilege Student Activity (above).

Please keep in mind that other students will see your responses.  Please share only what you are comfortable with sharing.  You will not be marked down if you do not want to share certain things about yourself with the class.  Review our word cloud for a reminder of our class norms and discussion values. Challenge each other to question and stretch your thinking in a positive and respectful way.  Note to instructors: insert word cloud created in first week(s) of class from decided upon discussion norms - created at WordArt.com - see sample below. Ideally you will have your class contribute their ideas and then you can generate the word cloud for your specific class.

SampleWordCloud_GUID102-1.jpeg

 

1.  What is your definition of privilege?

2. What were your initial thoughts as you were doing this activity? And what is your perspective now?

3. How does it feel to think of your classmates being further ahead than you? What about those that are further behind? 

4. Which Privilege Activity question(s) surprised you?

5.  How can this experience improve your relationship with yourself? 

6. How can this experience improve your relationship with others?

7. How does privilege mold someone?

8.  Share your photograph of your Privilege (paperclips, lego tower, etc.) if you choose.

9.  Do you agree or disagree with your Privilege as determined through this activity?  Why?

 

Quiz: Virtual Privilege Walk

The following quiz will not impact your grade, but you need to complete it in order to answer the Privilege Discussion Board (below). 

Answer the questions honestly.  Your answers will be kept confidential between you and your instructor.  This quiz will give you a chance to see where you might have more privilege than someone else. 

We will "walk" virtually through this quiz.  Watch the video below to gain a better understanding of what it means to take part in a "Privilege Walk."

 

 

[This quiz is a series of True/False answers to the following questions. 

  1. You are right handed.
  2. English is your first language.
  3. One or more of your parents have a college degree.
  4. The band-aids at mainstream stores blend in or match your skin tone.
  5. You do not, or have never relied primarily on public transportation.
  6. You have attended previous schools with people you felt were like you.
  7. You feel safe walking alone at night.
  8. Your household employs help such as servants, gardeners, housekeepers, etc.
  9. You are able to move through the world without fear of sexual assault.
  10. You studied the culture of your ancestors in elementary school.
  11. You feel that your parents aren't too busy to spend time with you.
  12. You have never been made fun of or bullied for something that was out of your control.
  13. You would never think twice about calling the police when trouble occurs.
  14. You own a computer.
  15. Have you ever been able to play a significant role in a project or activity because of a talent you gained previously?
  16. You can show affection for your romantic partner in public without fear of ridicule or violence.
  17. You have never had to skip a meal or go hungry because there wasn't enough money to buy food.
  18. You feel respected for your academic performance.
  19. You do not have a physically visible disability.
  20. You do not have an invisible illness or disability.
  21. You have never been discouraged from an activity because of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, or ability.
  22. You have never tried to change your appearance, behavior, or mannerisms to fit in more.
  23. You have never been profiled by someone else using stereotypes.
  24. You feel good about how your identities are portrayed by the media. 
  25. You have been accepted for something you applied to because of your association with a family member or friend.
  26. You have health insurance.
  27. You have never been spoken over because you could not articulate your thoughts fast enough.
  28. Nobody has ever spoken for you when you did not want them to do so.
  29. There has never been substance abuse in your household.
  30. You come from a two-parent household.
  31. You do not live in an area with crime and drug activity.
  32. Nobody in your family has experienced a mental illness.
  33. You have never experienced sexual harassment.
  34. You have never felt uncomfortable about a joke related to your race, religion, ethnicity, gender, ability, or sexual orientation and felt unsafe to confront the situation.
  35. You have never been asked to speak on behalf of a group of people who share an identity with you.
  36. You can make mistakes and not have people attribute your behavior to flaws in your racial or gender group.
  37. You've always assumed you will go to college.
  38. You have more than fifty books in your household.

 

Privilege Discussion Board

Before completing this Privilege Discussion Board, you must complete the Virtual Privilege Walk (above). 

Please keep in mind that other students will see your responses.  Please share only what you are comfortable with sharing.  You will not be marked down if you do not want to share certain things about yourself with the class.  

1.  What is your definition of privilege?

2. Which Privilege Walk question(s) surprised you?

3.  How can we use this information when we are around others?

4. How does privilege mold someone?

5.  Share your privilege walk percentage with your classmates, only if you want to. 

6.  Do you agree or disagree with your Privilege Percentage from the Privilege Walk?  Why?