Cherry Creek Diversity Conference
Privilege, Power, Influence, and
Making a Difference
Tracy Phariss
GLSEN Colorado, Golden High School
www.coloradosafeschools.net
www.coloradosafeschool.com
tphariss@jeffco.k12.co.us
Activity
Dyad
Dyad
Every year Time magazine picks the 100 most
influential people in the World.
What do we mean when we say someone is
influential?
Activity
How did the person you were
talking with respect you?
Respect
• Looking in each other’s eyes.
• Active listening – nods, laughs, etc.
• Said each other's names, and knew how
to pronounce them.
• Being honest / Shared private information.
• Others…..
Open & unthreatening discussion
• Why does the experience of "others"
matter?
• What is the difference between privilege,
power, influence, - isms and making a
difference?
Influence
• Influence can be defined as the ability or
power of someone to produce effects on the
actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others.
100 Most Influential People
in the United States
Time Magazine 2012
Discussion Questions
1. What traits or qualities make us
consider these people (or people like
them) influential?
2. Are each of these people influential
in the same way? Explain.
Privilege
• Privilege can be defined as a special
advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed
by all.
Privilege
• Do some of these people (or people like
them) have privilege that is not enjoyed by
all?
• Are each of these people privileged in the
same way? Explain
Privilege
People with privilege are often so used to it,
that they don’t even recognize that it is
truly a privilege.
Privilege
Although unearned, when benefits based on
privilege are removed, people with privilege
often feel that something unjust has occurred.
Privilege, Power, Influence,
and Making a Difference
Part 2
Influence
• Influence can be defined as the ability or
power of someone to produce effects on the
actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others.
Privilege
Privilege can be defined as a
special advantage or immunity
or benefit not enjoyed by all
Activity
What Multicultural Group do you
belong or identify as being a
member?
Everyone needs to feel
• the butterflies of inexperience
• that insecurity that makes one conscious
of every word, body language, and
nuance when dealing with peers
• the inability to articulate the questions we
have
“All change is difficult”
Allport, 1956
Activity
The Chain of Privilege
The Chain of Privilege
Read Carefully
The Chain of Privilege
Take about 15 minute
to create your chain.
Privilege Chart
Groups having
Privilege
adult
Groups denied or less
Privilege
Privilege Chart
Groups having
Privilege
adult
rich
Groups denied or less
Privilege
youth
Privilege Chart
Groups having
Privilege
adult
rich
men
Groups denied or less
Privilege
youth
poor
Privilege Chart
Groups having
Privilege
adult
rich
men
adults
Groups denied or less
Privilege
youth
poor
women
Privilege Chart
Groups having
Privilege
adult
rich
men
adults
white people
Groups denied or less
Privilege
youth
poor
women
elders
Privilege Chart
Groups having
Privilege
adult
rich
men
adults
white people
heterosexual
Groups denied or less
Privilege
youth
poor
women
elders
people of color
Privilege Chart
Groups having
Privilege
adult
rich
men
adults
white people
heterosexual
Groups denied or less
Privilege
youth
poor
women
elders
people of color
lesbian/gay/bisexual
Privilege Chart
Groups having
Privilege
able-bodied
Groups denied or less
Privilege
Privilege Chart
Groups having
Privilege
able-bodied
labeled “normal”
Groups denied or less
Privilege
differently-abled
Privilege Chart
Groups having
Privilege
able-bodied
labeled “normal”
Christians/Gentiles
Groups denied or less
Privilege
differently-abled
labeled as “special ed”
Privilege Chart
Groups having
Privilege
able-bodied
labeled “normal”
Christians/Gentiles
English as a
first language
Groups denied or less
Privilege
differently-abled
labeled as “special ed”
Jews/Other religions
Privilege Chart
Groups having
Groups denied or less
Privilege
Privilege
able-bodied
differently-abled
labeled “normal”
labeled as “special ed”
Christians/Gentiles
Jews/Other religions
English as a
first language other
first language
than English
labeled as “normal”
body image
Privilege Chart
Groups having
Privilege
able-bodied
labeled “normal”
Christians/Gentiles
English as a
first language
labeled as “normal”
body image
Groups denied or less
Privilege
differently-abled
labeled as “special ed”
Jews/Other religions
first language other
than English
labeled “fat,”, skinny,”
etc
The Concern
Privilege +
Power used negatively
→ Oppression (-isms)
Racism
White Privilege +
Power used negatively
= Racism!
The ISMS
•
•
•
•
•
•
Racism
Classism
Sexism
Heterosexism
Sizeism
Anti-Semitism
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Linguistism
Ableism
Adultism
Ageism
Alphabetism
Elitism
-isms
Examples
Our Lives - Sexism
Our Lives - Racism
You’re not planning a
terrorist attack are you?
Our Lives - Linguistism
I can’t understand a
thing she is saying!
Our Lives - Racism
Our Lives - Heterosexism
That’s Sick!
Our Lives - Adultism
Our Lives - Ableism
Our Lives - Classism
Our Lives - Sizeism
Our Lives – Anti-Semitism
So did you
make a lot of
money at the
car wash?
So, should I
say
anything?
Yeah, except for
the lady that jewed
be out of $5.00
The Hope
Privilege +
Power used positively
→ Change in the
school climate
What can you do?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Take action- INFLUENCE
Listen/learn
Use your privilege positively - INFLUENCE
Talk with others - INFLUENCE
Take a chance, make mistakes
Get support, accept support
What can you do?
• Do Some Soul Searching
• Don’t be a bystander – be a change
agent- INFLUENCE
• Be a Role Model for others- - INFLUENCE
• -isms can be “unlearned”
• React to personal, institutional and
societal –isms - INFLUENCE
• Our collective responsibility
What can you do?
BE AN ALLY
INFLUENCE
Packet
Your Homework
Packet
1. Article – White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible
2.
3.
4.
5.
Backpack
Oppression of Target and Non-target Groups
Poem – An Ally’s Promise
Being an Effective Ally
Personal Exploration of Privilege
Let’s Talk!
Questions?
Photos by
http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/index.html
Privilege
a special advantage or immunity
or benefit not enjoyed by all