The Privilege Pendulum



Objective(s) & Context

1. Identify “What is privilege?”

2. Examine the reality of how privilege impacts our daily lives.

 

Exploring and understanding how people experience privilege in their lives is important in working across differences. Privilege in society indicates an advantage or benefit that is not available to everyone. These advantages are usually enjoyed by a relatively small group of people, usually as a result of wealth or social status. Privilege also indicates a special status or honour that is not afforded to everyone equally. It sometimes expresses itself socially as special treatment or benefits to groups of people with easier access to positive life choices.

 

Duration

1 hour

 

Group Size

10–30

 

Age Group

17 +

 

Skills

Information, social, co-operative, self-management, comprehension skills, reflection

 

Format(s) & Technique(s)

Call and response, pair work, large group discussion/debrief

 

Materials

Pendulum Statements: Reference Sheet

Masking tape

Paper

Markers

 

Facilitation Tips

This activity should be done only with a group that already knows each other well, or has been working together and has a strong group dynamic and high level of trust in you and among themselves.

Remind participants that they are individuals with different identities based on where they come from, and with that, they all have the equal right and responsibility to dignity and respect for themselves and to others. Therefore, it is best to review the group agreement at this stage.

It is very important for the group to trust each other in this exercise, as otherwise it can negatively affect participants’ self-esteem.

If everyone in the group is not comfortable participating, it would be best not to do this activity.

 

Popular Education Prompts

This activity is likely to bring up topics that will need further discussion.

Be prepared to bring the level of the conversation up from individual experiences of privilege to the systematic roots of those privileges.

Try to ensure that there aren’t topics that are left unaddressed.

Be available for individual check-ins if possible.

The goal for this workshop is not for some participants to come out of it feeling powerless! It could be useful to brainstorm/have a discussion about the creative and positive ways we can resist these kinds of oppression, whether we are privileged or not.

 

Leading the Activity: Steps to Take

Preparation:

  1. Create a sign titled “Privilege Line.”

  2. Divide the room into two by making a line out of masking tape on the floor.

  3. At the centre of the line of masking tape, stick the sign titled “Privilege Line.”

 

Workshop:

  1. Before beginning this activity, let participants know what it is about.

  2. Explain to them that this activity is focused on the concept of privilege.

  3. Tell the participants that you have divided the room into two.

  4. Show them the line of masking tape on the floor marked with the sign “Privilege Line.”

  5. Ask participants to stand on the line facing you.

  6. Tell participants that you will call out a statement. Refer to the Pendulum Statements: Reference Sheet for examples.

  7. If this statement relates to them, they should respond according to the instructions (for example, step forward or back).

  8. Once all of the statements have been called out and the participants have now dispersed on opposite sides of the line, tell them to remain where they are and look at their position in the room or space in relation to the positions of the other participants.

  9. Ask participants to pick someone from an opposite position (from the opposite side of the line dividing them) with whom they can process the exercise.

  10. Tell participants to reflect on and discuss with their partners:

    • How they felt about their position.

    • How they felt about the position of others.

    • One realization that has come from this activity.

  1. Once all of the pairs have finished discussing the questions, ask the participants to form a circle.

  2. Lead a large group discussion to debrief the activity using the suggested questions provided below. Do not wait until another session to debrief the activity, it should be done at the same time.

    • What are your thoughts and feelings about this exercise?

    • As a whole, were you surprised by anything in the activity? Why?

    • Would your placement have been different if the exercise included questions about disability or religion?

    • Was there a time that you were told you step back that you felt like stepping forward? Why?

    • Along the same lines, can you think of ways that you find strength or confidence in the situation where you might have been “behind the privilege line.” For example, speaking a language other than French or English at home allows you to exchange with more people.

 

Debrief

Thank the group for participating.

Ask if there are any questions or desire to follow-up on a particular issue.

 

Success Indicators

    • Participants are able to make the link between systematic oppression and individual privilege

    • Participants are able to name instances in which they hold privilege