Introducing Privilege

Discussion Question

What does it mean to have privilege?

Privilege: 

a special right, advantage,
or immunity
granted or available
only to a particular person or group of people

Paper Toss Activity 

• Get out a scrap sheet of paper
• Tear off one corner of the paper and set it aside
• Crumple the rest of the sheet into a ball
• At the word GO, toss your paper ball
  into the recycling bin
• Now let's talk...

Multi-Dimensional Model

• Racial
• Gender
• Religion 
• Ability

• Aesthetic
• Orientation
• Citizenship
• Socioeconomic Status

Privilege Quiz

If you would like to learn
about the privilege you enjoy,
take this quiz. 

Privilege Quiz

• Write your score anonymously on your
  little scrap of paper
• Drop the scrap paper into the basket
• Wait patiently while your teacher redistributes
  the papers...
• Let's try that paper toss activity again
  • Line up in numerical order,
    highest number closest to the bin

Let's talk again...

Some final thoughts...

• You can't stop having privilege,
  so what should you do about it?
• How can you reduce the negative impact
  of your privilege on others?
• How can you use your own privilege
  to benefit those without?

Challenge

Choose one dimension of your privilege to be aware of and continue checking it.