Privilege Exercise (Arnie Kahn, adapted from Peggy McIntosh)
Have students stand in a straight line (quite close together) and request that
they hold hands with the person on either side of them for as long as possible
and refrain from speaking during the exercise. Then ask:
If you were ever called names because of your race, class, ethnicity, gender,
or sexual orientation, take one step back.
If your parents were professional, doctors, lawyers, etc., take one step forward.
If you were raised in an area where there was prostitution, drug activity, etc., take one step
back.
If you ever tried to change your appearance, mannerisms, or behavior to avoid being judged or
ridiculed, take one step back.
If there were more than 50 books in your house when you grew up, take one step forward.
If you ever had to skip a meal or were hungry because there was not enough money to buy food
when you were growing up, take one step back.
If your parents brought you to art galleries or plays, take one step forward.
If one of your parents was unemployed or lad off, not by choice, take one
step back.
If you attended a private school or private summer camp, take one step forward.
If your family ever had to move because they could not afford the rent, take one step back.
If you were ever discouraged from academic pursuits or jobs because of race, class, ethnicity,
gender or sexual orientation, take one step back.
If you were ever encouraged to attend a college by your parents, take one step forward.
If prior to age 18, you took a vacation out of the country, take one step forward.
If one of your parents did not complete high school, take one step back.
If your family owned your own house, take one step forward.
If you were ever offered a good job because of your association or connection
with a friend or family member, take one step forward.
If you ever inherited money or property, take a step forward.
If you ever had to rely primarily on public transportation, take one step back.
If you were generally able to avoid places that were dangerous, take one step forward.
If your parents told you that you could be anything you wanted to be, take one step forward.
This exercise has been contributed to APA for the Resources for the Inclusion of Social Class in Psychology Curricula. It may have been edited for length.
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For additional resources, visit apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/social-class-curricula.aspx
