Individuals who are privileged are often unaware of the unearned advantages that they have. Because of this lack of awareness, individuals with privilege may attribute poor performance of a non-privileged individual to that individual’s lack of effort or ability, rather than recognizing that the non-privileged person may not have had sufficient opportunities or resources. Without fully being aware of such privilege, it can be difficult for students to appreciate the diversity surrounding them, both in the classroom and in the workplace. This experiential exercise and suggested debrief strategies illustrate the concept and consequences of privilege.
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