In this section of the course, we have discussed intersectionality and the concept of privilege. This assignment is designed to help you begin to identify some of the daily effects of privilege in your life. Remember that recognizing privilege is not about blame, shame, guilt, or whether one is a “nice person.” It is about observing, realizing, thinking systematically and personally about circumstances and conditions that you and those around you experience but, (1) did not earn, and (2) you have been made to feel are your rights by birth, citizenship, or by virtue of being a conscientious law-abiding “normal” citizen. This includes not only “white privilege” based on race or ethnicity (as discussed in the article), but all types of privilege, i.e. advantages based on race, ethnicity, sex, class, culture, region, physical ability, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, etc. Here are a few examples of privilege statements: White Privilege * I can, if I wish, arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time. * I can always turn on the TV or go to the movies and be entertained by people of my race. Male Privilege * I can be as “promiscuous” as I want and not be labeled a “slut” or “whore”. Class Privilege * I can browse in a high-end store without being snubbed or suspected. Heterosexual Privilege * I can bring my significant other to office functions and not be afraid of being alienated, humiliated or fired. THE ASSIGNMENT 1. Beginning today, pay close attention to your social experiences. Think about the situations you are in, resources that you have available, and experiences you can count on because of the color of your skin, your sex, class, sexual orientation, physical ability, etc. 2. Think about your own personal reactions when you realized that your experience or situation was conferred upon you because of your dominant group membership. 3. In 1-2 paragraphs, describe your experiences of privilege. Include two privilege statements that come from these experiences (30 points). Here is an example of an experience and the related privilege statement: Experience: I overheard a Black woman telling her little boy to ignore and “rise above” the vicious racial taunts being hurled by a group of white boys at the park. Privilege statement: I do not have to educate my children to be aware of systemic racism for their own daily physical protection or mental well-being. 4. Address the following question in 1-2 paragraphs: How has privilege (yours and others) has shaped your life experiences? Explain. (25 points) 5. In approximately 1 paragraph each, describe the consequences of systemic privilege for racial/ethnic minorities (20 points), for women (20 points), for LGBTQA sexual identities (20 points), and for the lower classes (20 points). ** NOTE: This assignment should be developed around your own observations of various types of privilege. The work goes best when you draw on your own personal experiences, not your opinions. Opinions invite argumentation. Telling about experience invites listening. In the spirit of intersectionality, try to include different types of privilege, don’t stick with just one. For example, if you are a heterosexual white cisgender female, you may not experience male privilege, but you can address the privilege you have had based on race, cisgender identity, and sexual orientation. Or, a Black male may experience male privilege while buying a car, but not white privilege when walking through a predominantly white neighborhood. Be creative!! Your assignment should be typed, double-spaced, in 12pt font, and no longer than 4 pages. You will need to be concise. Write logically, with correct grammar and spelling. Please number the pages and leave one-inch margins on all sides. (Writing style: 15 points) References: Most of you will use readings from the course, especially Unit 4 (Breines, McIntosh, Wade and Sharp). You can use American Sociological Association (ASA) or American Psychological Association (APA style). You should include references on a separate page. References will not count as part of your 4-page limit. Grade Breakdown (150 points) 30 points Describe 2 experiences of privilege and privilege statements 25 points Describe how privilege has shaped your life experiences 80 points Describe the consequences of systemic privilege for racial/ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQA sexual identities, and lower-class individuals (20 points each) 15 points Writing style (grammar, spelling, logical flow)
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