This provides participants an opportunity to understand the intricacies of privilege and to explore the ways that we enjoy privileges based on being members of social identity groups in the United States. Please note that this exercise is not meant to make anyone feel guilty or ashamed of her or his privilege or lack of privilege related to any social identity categories. Rather, the exercise seeks to highlight the fact that everyone has SOME privilege, even as some people have more privilege than others.
By illuminating our various privileges as individuals, we can recognize ways that we can use our privileges individually and collectively to work for social justice. The purpose is not to blame anyone for having more power or privilege or for receiving more help in achieving goals, but to have an opportunity to identify both obstacles and benefits experienced in our life.”
The goal of the exercise is to help participants to recognize how power and privilege affect their lives, even if they are unaware that it is happening.
Beyond the Privilege Walk It is imperative that participants are voluntary and wish to explore ideas, concepts & aspects of privilege with the intention of a growth in understanding themselves and others through the lens of privilege.
An in-person event consists of folks meeting in a central location with enough space for participants to step forward and backward at least 10 steps or more starting from a central starting line.
Participants should be limited to approximately 20 – 25 people at a time so that there is adequate time for discussion afterwards.
3) Space large enough for participants to form straight line with an arm's length between them and the person on their left; there should be space in front of the line to move forward 10 steps or behind to be able to move back 10 steps.
