Privilege 101

HOW DOMINANT GROUPS USE THEIR

PRIVILEGE TO CONSTRUCT WHAT IS
NORMAL AND NOT-NORMAL IN
SOCIETY

I am ___________

My identities and experiences affect how you will

interact with me as a presenter and vice versa.

Session Objectives
Students will learn the critical social justice

definition of privilege.
Students will learn the external/structural and

internal/attitudinal dimensions of privilege.

Students will be able to identify examples of privilege

of different dominant groups (able-bodied, white,

Christian, etc).

Outline
Define Privilege

Everyday use vs. Social Justice use

Dimensions of Privilege
Dominant & Marginalized Groups
Activity: Your Privileged and Marginalized Identities

Group Activity: Create a Privilege Check List

Definition of Privilege
Everyday Use

a right or benefit that is given

to some people and not to
others
Lucky
Fortunate
Benefit from luck or
opportunity
This definition suggests that
privilege is a positive
outcome of happenstance.
Sensoy & DiAngelo (2011)

Social Justice Use

rights, advantages,
protections enjoyed by some
at the expense of and
beyond the rights,
advantages, and protections
available to others.
Not the product of luck or
fortunate, but rather of
structural advantages
granted to dominant groups.

Dimensions of Privilege
External/Structural
Integration of dominant

group norms into the

structures of society

Construction of whats

normal and not-normal

by dominant group

Invisibility of privilege

for dominant group

Sensoy & DiAngelo (2011)

Examples

Building & car design

Normal body size

Privilege is not

recognized because it is
seen as normal

Dimensions of Privilege
Internal/ Attitudinal

Belief that group had

the right to its position

The internalization of
messages of superiority
Lack of humility that
results from limited
knowledge of the
minorities group
Invisibility of privilege
Sensoy & DiAngelo (2011)

Examples

Meritocracy
Inspirational stories of

people with disabilities

Prove it
Counter examples (i.e.
Rags to Riches Bill
OReilly)

One automatically receives

privilege by being a member of a
dominant group

Dominant/Privileged Groups
Top of the social hierarchy
More highly valued
Set norms for what is normal/not normal (rules)
Greater access to power/resources

Benefit from inequality

Given the benefit of the doubt
Often unaware of dominant group membership
How far weve come

Marginalized Groups
A social group that is devalued in society
Limited access to resources/power

Seen as inferior or less than

Struggle to find voice
Punished if challenge status quo
Often assimilate to rules.. Fit in
Aware of dominant group privilege

How far we still need to go

Important Concepts
Privileged group is not always the majority

Visible and invisible dynamics

Innate and chosen
Even though you didnt ask for it you cannot give it back

Worksheet Activity &

Discussion
IDENTIFYING YOUR
PRIVILEGED AND
MARGINALIZED IDENTITIES

Activity
SPLIT UP INTO GROUPS
ASSIGNED TO PRIVILEGED GROUP

BRAINSTORM A PRIVILEGE CHECKLIST LIST

(SEE SAMPLE LIST)
SHARE OUT

Takeaways
What is privilege?

What is an example of an external/structural

dimension of privilege?
What is an example of an internal/attitudinal

dimension of privilege?
What next? Be a social justice ally