Discussion : Privilege

As a step toward productively examining the effects of privilege in your own life, complete the following discussion exercise by Saturday.

1. Identify a form of privilege you experience (e.g., white privilege, male privilege, straight privilege...) based on a social category you occupy (e.g., white, man, straight...) and create a list of at least 10 ways in which that privilege affects your life.

Use McIntosh's guide as an example, but if you choose white privilege, you must come up with your own (new) examples.

2. Write a paragraph reflecting on this privilege in your life in a way that relates to the module material.

Here are some questions to think about as you reflect:

o Are you normally unaware of this privilege?

o How does it make you feel to examine your privilege?

o Are some of your examples "positive advantages," which we should work to spread so that they become the norm for everyone rather than special entitlements for the privileged?

o Are some "negative advantages" which should be rejected?

Remember that the strongest responses will directly and specifically reference module material, including specific terminology that's relevant to the discussion.

After you post your response, your classmates' responses will become available. Respond to at least one of your classmates' posts by Sunday. noting one or more of the following:

1. A specific point they made that you think is particularly relevant

2. A specific point they made that you (respectfully) disagree with

3. Something else they may want to consider in their analysis

Review the netiquette guidelines from Module 1 and the discussion board participation grading rubric in the syllabus, and remember to be as clear and specific as possible in your post and your responses:

• Instead of "You are clearly oblivious to the fact that..," "I think it's important to consider..."

• Instead of "I read somewhere that...," "McIntosh (p. 14) point out that..."