This document summarizes a workshop on privilege and prejudice's impact in the college classroom. The workshop will explore prejudice scenarios through role-playing exercises and discussions. Participants will take a privilege walk exercise to understand how privilege exists beyond race and gender. They will also take a quiz to assess their own behaviors and prejudices to gain awareness of how biases unintentionally impact classroom experiences. The goal is for educators to use their privilege to better serve and benefit others.

1. Privilege and Prejudice's Impact from
the College Classroom
Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters
Western Michigan University
03.9.17
A’Kena LongBenton, ABD, EdS
Wayne State University
akenalong@gmail.com

2.  As minorities, we all have stories of being a victim of prejudice.
 Yet, ALL humans prejudge others. How aware are we of our
own subconscious prejudice behaviors towards others?
Workshop Abstract

3.  Brace yourself and come prepared to laugh, cry, or
become angry as we explore prejudice scenarios
(http://goo.gl/5bBfRI ) and learn how to effectively
respond to them (http://goo.gl/AJtWYS ).
Abstract cont.

4.  Don't think that a minority can be privileged in any
way? Grab your coat and come and take the Privilege
Walk (http://goo.gl/STsp4V ) with us.
Abstract cont.

5. Abstract cont.
 You will be surprised at the results. As students and
professors, we unknowingly take our prejudice
mindsets into the classroom, and they unfortunately
impact our classroom experiences.

6.  At the conclusion of this session, the presenter will
have participants take a college counseling-based
prejudice, bias, and hate quiz (http://goo.gl/lI9Zni ) to
assess their own behaviors.
Abstract cont.

7.  When you have or can enjoy an advantage over
others
 To be free from certain obligations or liabilities
Privilege Definition

8.  How you treat those who can do nothing for you
Character Definition

9.  To form an opinion beforehand without reasonable
thought
 Usually, it’s unfavorable, but can be occasionally
favorable
Prejudice Definition

10.  To show partiality for or against a certain person or
thing based on external factors instead of merit
 To deny access to something
Discrimination Definition

11.  Characteristics that we discriminate against:
 Fat people
 Short men
 Ugly people
 Acne-faced people
 Bald or short-haired women
 Outspoken women
 Big-nosed women
 Flat-chested women
 Quiet people
 Bubbly women
 Tall women
 Flat booty women
Discrimination Thoughts

12.  Parallel-constraint-satisfaction theory (Kunda &
Thagard, 1996)
 impression of an individual can sometimes be
dramatically changed by the addition or subtraction of a
single piece of information
Research Theories

13.  developmental intergroup theory (Bigler & Liben,
2006)
 Examines how stereotypes and prejudice are formed
and controlled among children.
 Furthermore, Ward (2004) asserted that “frequent
exposure to stereotypical images of Blacks as lazy,
unintelligent, and criminal will lead viewers of all races
to believe that these attributes characterize Blacks in
the real world” (p. 285).
Theories cont.

14. Why do people discriminate?
What happens when you judge someone based on how
they look?
Should all people—regardless of race, ethnic
background, religion, gender, disability or
socioeconomic status—have the same opportunities to
apply for and be hired for jobs?
Thought-provoking Questions

15. What would you do if you knew a restaurant in your
town gave people certain jobs because of the color of
their skin?
Should businesses be allowed to hire based on an image
or message they are trying to promote?
Questions cont.

16. http://www.understandingprejudic
e.org/pdf/roleplay.pdf?logged=true
Role-playing Exercise (2000)

17.  http://www.socialpsychology.org/action/pdf/e
ffectiveness-top2010.pdf?logged=true
Effectiveness of Role-playing
Research Study (2010)

18. http://www.prejudicenoway.com/d
ownloads/Y3_handout_8.pdf
Biased Scenarios Handout

19. http://s.spachman.tripod.com/A
rgument/discrim_scenarios.htm
Scenarios on Discrimination

20.  http://www.tolerance.org/supplement/d
iscrimination-menu-high-school
 Ambercrombie and Fitch experience
Questionable Hiring Practices

21. http://goo.gl/AJtWYS
Effectively Responding to Racism

22.  10 Wads of Paper
 Have participants line up in rows.
 Shoot for the basket.
 How did you feel to make it or not?
 To be in the front row?
 To be in the back row?
Privilege Activity

23. http://goo.gl/STsp4V
Privilege Walk

24.  Regardless of where your final position is on the Privilege
Walk, you still have some form of privilege.
 Privilege exists beyond white male privilege.
 You are in higher education.
 Only 30-33% of Americans have Bachelor’s degrees, which
is a privilege.
Privilege and Character

25.  Are we using our privilege to benefit others?
 Do we use our privilege for good or evil?
 We can’t help our gender, birth order, parent’s
finances, etc.
 However, we can use our privilege to impact others.
Privilege Thoughts

26.  Are we serving others well?
 Are we serving others faithfully?
 Are we using our position to serve others?
Service Thoughts

27. http://goo.gl/lI9Zni
Prejudice, Bias, & Hate Quiz