Cherry Creek Diversity Conference Privilege, Power, Influence, and Making a Difference Tracy Phariss GLSEN Colorado, Golden High School

Activity Dyad

Dyad Every year Time magazine picks the 100 most influential people in the World. What do we mean when we say someone is influential?

Activity How did the person you were talking with respect you?

Respect Looking in each other’s eyes. Active listening – nods, laughs, etc. Said each other's names, and knew how to pronounce them. Being honest / Shared private information. Others…..

Open & unthreatening discussion Why does the experience of "others" matter? What is the difference between privilege, power, influence, - isms and making a difference?

Influence Influence can be defined as the ability or power of someone to produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others.

100 Most Influential People in the United States 100 Most Influential People in the United States Time Magazine 2012 Time Magazine 2012

Discussion Questions 1. 1.What traits or qualities make us consider these people (or people like them) influential? 2. 2.Are each of these people influential in the same way? Explain.

Privilege Privilege can be defined as a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all.

Privilege Do some of these people (or people like them) have privilege that is not enjoyed by all? Are each of these people privileged in the same way? Explain

Privilege People with privilege are often so used to it, that they don’t even recognize that it is truly a privilege.

Privilege Although unearned, when benefits based on privilege are removed, people with privilege often feel that something unjust has occurred. Although unearned, when benefits based on privilege are removed, people with privilege often feel that something unjust has occurred.

Privilege, Power, Influence, and Making a Difference Part 2

Influence Influence can be defined as the ability or power of someone to produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others.

Privilege Privilege can be defined as a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

Activity What Multicultural Group do you belong or identify as being a member?

Everyone needs to feel the butterflies of inexperience that insecurity that makes one conscious of every word, body language, and nuance when dealing with peers the inability to articulate the questions we have

“All change is difficult” Allport, 1956

Activity The Chain of Privilege

Read Carefully

The Chain of Privilege Take about 15 minute to create your chain.

Privilege Chart Groups having Groups denied or less Privilege Privilege adult

Privilege Chart Groups having Groups denied or less Privilege Privilege adult youth rich

Privilege Chart Groups having Groups denied or less Privilege Privilege adult youth richpoor men

Privilege Chart Groups having Groups denied or less Privilege Privilege adult youth richpoor men women adults

Privilege Chart Groups having Groups denied or less Privilege Privilege adult youth richpoor men women adultselders white people

Privilege Chart Groups having Groups denied or less Privilege Privilege adult youth richpoor men women adultselders white people people of color heterosexual

Privilege Chart Groups having Groups denied or less Privilege Privilege adult youth richpoor men women adultselders white people people of color heterosexuallesbian/gay/bisexual

Privilege Chart Groups having Groups denied or less Privilege Privilege able-bodied

Privilege Chart Groups having Groups denied or less Privilege Privilege able-bodied differently-abled labeled “normal”

Privilege Chart Groups having Groups denied or less Privilege Privilege able-bodied differently-abled labeled “normal” labeled as “special ed” Christians/Gentiles

Privilege Chart Groups having Groups denied or less Privilege Privilege able-bodied differently-abled labeled “normal” labeled as “special ed” Christians/Gentiles Jews/Other religions English as a first language

Privilege Chart Groups having Groups denied or less Privilege Privilege able-bodied differently-abled labeled “normal” labeled as “special ed” Christians/Gentiles Jews/Other religions English as a first language other first language than English labeled as “normal” body image

Privilege Chart Groups having Groups denied or less Privilege Privilege able-bodied differently-abled labeled “normal” labeled as “special ed” Christians/Gentiles Jews/Other religions English as a first language other first language than English labeled as “normal” labeled “fat,”, skinny,” body imageetc

The Concern Privilege + Power used negatively → Oppression (-isms)

Racism White Privilege + Power used negatively = Racism!

The ISMS Racism Classism Sexism Heterosexism Sizeism Anti-Semitism Linguistism Ableism Adultism Ageism Alphabetism Elitism -isms

Examples

Our Lives - Sexism

Our Lives - Racism You’re not planning a terrorist attack are you?

Our Lives - Linguistism I can’t understand a thing she is saying!

Our Lives - Racism

Our Lives - Heterosexism That’s Sick!

Our Lives - Adultism

Our Lives - Ableism

Our Lives - Classism

Our Lives - Sizeism

Our Lives – Anti-Semitism So did you make a lot of money at the car wash? Yeah, except for the lady that jewed be out of $5.00 So, should I say anything?

The Hope Privilege + Power used positively → Change in the school climate

What can you do? Take action- INFLUENCE Listen/learn Use your privilege positively - INFLUENCE Talk with others - INFLUENCE Take a chance, make mistakes Get support, accept support

What can you do? Do Some Soul Searching Don’t be a bystander – be a change agent- INFLUENCE Be a Role Model for others- - INFLUENCE -isms can be “unlearned” React to personal, institutional and societal –isms - INFLUENCE Our collective responsibility

What can you do? BE AN ALLY INFLUENCE

Packet Your Homework

Packet 1.Article – White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack 2.Oppression of Target and Non-target Groups 3.Poem – An Ally’s Promise 4.Being an Effective Ally 5.Personal Exploration of Privilege

Let’s Talk! Questions? Photos by

Privilege a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all