White Privilege
Use these activities to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.
Activity 1: “Exploring Privilege Through Personal Reflection and Discussion”
In this activity, students will reflect on their own experiences with privilege and engage in a discussion about how privilege impacts their lives and society.
To begin, students should read Peggy McIntosh’s essay “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” and reflect on the following questions:
Next, students should engage in a group discussion about their reflections. Encourage students to share their thoughts and listen respectfully to others.
Finally, students should write a short reflection about what they learned from the activity and how it has impacted their understanding of privilege.
Teaching Suggestion: Facilitate the discussion in a way that encourages all students to participate and share their thoughts. Remind students to be respectful of others’ experiences and perspectives. This can be a sensitive topic, so it’s important to create a safe and respectful environment for discussion.
Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or those with attentional learning differences, consider providing additional resources or scaffolding to help them understand the concept of privilege.