Tapestry of Faith: Building the World We Dream About: An Anti-racism Multicultural Program

Activity 1: Considering Privilege and Advantage

Activity time: 15 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Newsprint, markers, and tape

Description of Activity

Invite participants to brainstorm a list of the advantages (e.g., benefits, perks, free passes, and so on) that people in each of the following groups enjoy. Write the list on newsprint, repeating the responses aloud.

  • People who write with their "right hand" (possible responses include chairs, tables, scissors made to fit them)
  • Tall people (possible responses include easier access to items in public spaces, "sexier," "more powerful")
  • People with college degrees (possible responses include higher-paying jobs and access to a "power" network)
  • Wealthy people (possible responses include less stress about basic needs and assumptions about being smarter)

Invite comments, observations, and discussion about the lists you have generated, with these questions:

  • Who decides that an advantage exists?
  • How does society perpetuate these advantages?
  • Did these people "earn" or "inherit" these advantages?