The Western New York 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge Day 3

Day 3: The meaning of privilege

It’s time to talk about privilege. Privilege is the unearned social, political, economic, and psychological benefits of membership in a group that has institutional and structural power (source). There are many types of privilege that different groups have in the US and most people can identify at least one privilege that they hold. We commonly hear about privilege because of race or gender, but privilege also exists for different groups based on religion, sexuality, ability, class, education level. Read more about 5 common types of privilege

The idea of privilege can be divisive, but at the core, it means a built-in advantage, immunity, or benefit that a person or group enjoys beyond what others have access to or experience. Having privilege can give you advantages in life, but having privilege is not a guarantee of success. 

Consider today’s challenge activities to identify ways that you could use your privilege to promote racial equity and justice in our community.

TODAY'S CHALLENGE:

  1. Watch this "What is Privilege" video. (2 minutes)
  2. Watch "Privilege/Class/Social Inequalities Explained in a $100 Race" (4 minutes)
  3. Listen to this Stateside episode with Eddie Moore, Jr., executive director of The Privilege Institute, about how the White Privilege Conference in Grand Rapids created a space for people to have "tough conversations". (8 minutes)

 

DAY 4: Talking About Race

 

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