Privilege Playlist
by 2021 DPF Peace Intern Marisa Black
A Playlist is a way of engaging with an idea or topic. They can be used as small group discussion starters, for personal devotions, or as a place to jump into a subject.
On the subject of Privilege, here is:
…Something to break the ice
Uncommon Commonalities
In groups of two or three, students will get to know each other by attempting to find a commonality between them that is uncommon. For example, three students discover that they each have three older siblings. After finding an uncommon commonality, students in each group will attempt to find a unique trait/experience that they hold in the group. Time permitting, groups can share out their uncommon commonalities to see which group has the most uncommon, shared experience/trait. This can be repeated as many times as desired, switching partners every time.
…something to Watch
The Unequal Opportunity Race
This is an animated short film from the African American Policy Forum, showing metaphors for obstacles to equality which affirmative action tries to alleviate.
White Privilege Glasses
This video puts a white man in a black person’s shoes. We see just how different the day to day experiences can be.
…Something to Read
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
In this essay, the author takes a look at how her education gave no training in seeing herself as an oppressor - rather they taught racism only as individual acts of meanness. In order to become more aware, she creates a list of some ways she experiences privilege. This essay would best suit older readers
Colorblindness: The New Racism?
This article describes the struggle of Kawania Wooten with her son’s school. When his class created a timeline of civilization, the Greeks, Romans, and Incas were all included but there was nothing about Africa, and a lack of acknowledging minority students.
…Something to Wonder
I wonder what privileges I experience and/or lack….
…Something to Talk/Think/Journal About
What is privilege?
What can people with privilege do that people without it can’t?
How is privilege demonstrated in the media?
…Something to Do
Read Just Mercy - Bryan Stevenson
This is one of my all time favorite books - think of it as a real life To Kill a Mockingbird story. Bryan Stevenson shares true stories about the redeeming potential of mercy. As a young lawyer, he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending the poor, wrongly condemned, and those trapped in the furthest reaches of our justice system. He shares stories from fighting racism in our justice system to helping children and disabled people who were sentenced to die in prison. There is also a movie that could be paired as a study with the book.
Identifying Privileges
There are several ways to help participants identify their privileges or lack thereof, ranging from as simple as making a list to activities like a privilege walk. Being able to acknowledge our privileges is the first step to using that privilege to fight for others.
Here is an example.
Here is another one.
Check Out “A Parallel Journey”
The 2020 DPF Peace Interns put this together in partnership with Reconciliation Ministry. It is an interactive, online, choose-your-own-adventure, anti-oppression Bible Study. It is great for personal reflection or group conversations. You’ll find the discussion questions at the end.
Become an Ally
After recognizing your privilege, you can ask yourself questions about your environment and system, making more conscious decisions to become an ally to the BIPOC community. Think about the organizations you are a part of - do they reflect diversity?; Are they capable of becoming inclusive to all? Also ask yourself if your personal network contains a diverse group of people? When purchasing products, make an effort to support small businesses that support diversity and inclusion.
…Something to Pray
A Prayer for White People - Ellen Quaadgras
Sheltered in our homes,
Or going to work, at risk,
For week after week after week,
We’re edgy, tired, a little raw.
We are tender, vulnerable, Open.
A little more open than usual.
Those of us who are white,
Who, before, might have been distracted
Who, before, might have been too busy
Who, before, might have been preoccupied with our lives,
Are noticing the ways injustice has happened to people of color,
the same way, again and again and again,
Now, we have become aware.
Please, may we be aware.
May we not lose awareness.
May we not get distracted.
May we not turn away.
May we open—really open:
Accepting the invitation to change—
really change,
our minds,
our hearts,
our world.
When we encounter calls to defund the police
When we encounter calls for reparations
When we hear “follow our lead” from people of color
May we listen, may we learn, may we be open...
Even if it means rethinking everything
you thought you knew about the world.
We have, all of us, as humans
An enormous opportunity
To change one of the oldest injustices
In history, To change everything.
May we stay vulnerable
May we stay tender.
May we take action.
Eyes and hearts and minds, Open.