(116) COLLEGE KIDS REACT TO PRIVILEGE

Introduction to Privilege

• The discussion revolves around understanding privilege and its implications on individuals in society.

• The emotional impact of recognizing personal privilege is evident as participants reflect on their backgrounds.

The Race Metaphor

• A race scenario is set up to illustrate the concept of privilege.

• Statements made by the host determine the privilege levels:

  • Examples include family structure, educational opportunities, financial security, and support systems.

• Participants step forward if the statement applies to them, visually demonstrating the disparities in privilege among them.

Key Statements and Reactions

• Statements cover:

  • Family structure: "Take two steps forward if both parents are married."

  • Educational access: "Take two steps forward if you had access to private education."

  • Financial security: "Take two steps forward if you’ve never worried about cellphone bills."

• Overall reactions include surprise and emotional responses as participants recognize their advantages over others.

Reflections on Privilege

• Participants express sadness over how life circumstances impact opportunities.

• A participant states, "It just makes me sad how these are factors... it’s just the situation and the cards they’ve been dealt."

• Another emphasizes the importance of recognizing advantages, concluding that winning a race doesn’t equate to deserving success, and privileges often dictate starting points in life.

Important Insights

• There’s an acknowledgment of the reality that some individuals have made it despite disadvantages.

• The host emphasizes the necessity of understanding the importance of those starting points and recognizing the efforts of individuals regardless of where they began.

Privilege Acknowledgment Exercises

• Participants take accountability for their backgrounds through a scoring system based on the privilege statements.

• Conversations and scores are shared, with many acknowledging their privileges and the different backgrounds of others.

Participants’ Scores

• Scores range from zero to eight, indicating the levels of privilege recognized by each participant.

• Some reflections include:

  • "I take ownership... I try to use the resources I have to help others."

  • "There are areas that I didn’t really think about where I am privileged."

• Participants express gratitude and understanding of their advantages.

Personal Experiences of Privilege

• Individuals share their personal stories related to privilege:

  • One shares the impact of attending private school and how it shaped their career trajectory.

  • Another discusses being a Mexican-American male and the duality of privilege versus minority status.

  • A participant reflects on growing up in a family receiving welfare and how it impacted their opportunities.

Understanding Disparities

• Discussion on how social privilege isn’t always visible and varies based on race, socioeconomic status, and family dynamics.

• Conversations highlight how systemic issues contribute to privilege disparities in opportunities and experiences.

Concluding Thoughts on Privilege Awareness

• The necessity of discussing privilege is reinforced as a means of understanding societal disparities.

• Emphasizes using resources wisely and generously to help others without privilege.

• The idea that continual discussion and acknowledgment of privilege can foster understanding and promote societal change.

• Ultimately, promoting awareness of privilege leads to better relationships and support for those less fortunate.