Privilege Circle Activity

Northeastern University | Department of Residential Life |

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Best for:
Groups of 15-30
1-2 Facilitators
Open room with little chairs/tables cluttering space
Instructions:
1. Set expectations.
2. Opening script.
3. Conduct activity.
4. Debrief discussion.
5. Thank participants for sharing.
Example Expectations:
This is a silent activity. Please keeps your thoughts to yourself until the
closing discussion.
Modified Vegas Rules. Observe the tone of the room. You should take
away lessons from the people around you.
Be respectful of the statements and people around you.
Challenge by choice. We want you to feel comfortable stepping in the
circle, but it is your choice to share what you feel comfortable sharing.
One diva, one mic. During discussions, please respect those who are
talking and wait your turn.
Using I statements. Talk about examples from your own perspective
and not behalf of a group of people.
Opening Script:
1. Each individual person has different experiences that has shaped them
growing up. This activity is intended to learn about each others
backgrounds to better understand perspectives other than your own.
Everyone in this room has been afforded things that others have not;
sometimes based on parts of their identity. Right now, we all have
some things in common: we are part of the Northeastern community,
and have chosen to be student leaders that impact our community.
Allow this activity to teach you the different paths people have taken
to become the student and the leader they are today.
Directions for Facilitator(s):
Organize students into a circle formation, single line and side-by-side
facing inwards. Listen carefully to statements read by the facilitator.
Students should step into the circle when statements are read. Some
statements will ask you to retrieve a post-it from the middle of the
circle. Please do so quietly and place the post-it somewhere on your
body where you feel comfortable.

 Facilitators
should read each statement twice to assist students in
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processing and reflecting. Please allow time between statements for
further reflection and observation.
Activity:
1. Step into the circle if your ancestors were forced to come to the United
States not by choice. Grab a post-it.
2. Step into the circle if prior to age 18, you took a vacation out of the
country you were born in.
3. Step into the circle if you have been called names because of your
gender, sexual orientation, ability status, class, ethnicity, or race. Grab
a post-it.
4. Step into the circle if there were people who worked in your household
as cleaners, gardeners, etc.
5. Step into the circle if you were ever ashamed or embarrassed because
of the brand or quality of your clothes, house, car, etc. Grab a post-it.
6. Step into the circle if at least one of the people who raised you held a
college degree.
7. Step into the circle if you were raised in an area where there was
prominent violence, prostitution, drug activity, etc. Grab a post-it.
8. Step into the circle if you ever tried to change your appearance,
mannerism, or behavior to prevent being judged or ridiculed. Grab a
post-it.
9. Step into the circle if you ever had to skip school or take a day off from
work to celebrate your cultural or religious holidays. Grab a post-it.
10.
Step into the circle if you study the culture of your ancestors in
elementary school.
11.
Step into the circle if you went to school in the United States
speaking a language other than English. Grab a post-it.
12.
Step into the circle if you are a citizen of the United States.
13.
Step into the circle if you or someone in your immediate family
has ever feared being deported. Grab a post-it.
14.
Step into the circle if there were more than 50 books in your
household.
15.
Step into the circle if you ever had to skip a meal or were hungry
because there was not enough money or food growing up. Grab a postit.
16.
Step into the circle if you were ever taken to art galleries or plays
by the people who raised you.
17.
Step into the circle if one of the people who raised you was
unemployed or laid-off not by choice. Grab a post-it.
18.
Step into the circle if you attended private school or summer
camp.
19.
Step into the circle if your family ever had to move because they
could not afford the rent. Grab a post-it.

20. | 3 Step into the circle if you were told that you were smart,
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beautiful, and/or capable by the people who raised you.
21.
Step into the circle if you were ever discouraged from academics
or jobs because of your gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion,
socioeconomic status, ability status, or race. Grab a post-it.
22.
Step into the circle if you were encouraged to attend college by
the people who raised you.
23.
Step into the circle if you were raised in a single-parent
household. Grab a post-it.
24.
Step into the circle if you identify as having a disability, seen or
unseen. Grab a post-it.
25.
Step into the circle if your family owned the home where you
grew up.
26.
Step into the circle if you were offered a position because of your
association with a friend or family member.
27.
Step into the circle if you were paid less or treated unfairly at a
job or co-op because of your gender, ability status, sexual orientation,
socioeconomic status, religion, ethnicity, or race. Grab a post-it.
28.
Step into the circle if you have ever or will ever inherit money or
property.
29.
Step into the circle if you have ever had to rely primarily on
public transportation. Grab a post-it.
30.
Step into the circle if you have ever been stopped or questioned
by the police because of your race, ethnicity, gender, sexual
orientation, socioeconomic status, ability status, or religion. Grab a
post-it.
31.
Step into the circle if you are afraid of violence because of your
race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status,
ability status, or religion. Grab a post-it.
32.
Step into the circle if you have ever been offended because you
heard a joke related to your race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation,
socioeconomic status, ability status, or religion. Grab a post-it.
a. If you have ever felt unsafe or uncomfortable confronting one of
these jokes related to your identity step into the circle and grab
another post-it.
33.
Step into the circle if you were generally able to avoid places
that were dangerous.
34.
Step into the circle if you have ever been the victim of violence
related to your race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation,
socioeconomic status, ability status, or religion. Grab a post-it.
Closing Discussion Suggested Questions:
1. How are you feeling right now (general reactions)?
2. Did anything surprise you?
3. Why do you think we chose this activity to facilitate? (What do you
think these statements represent?)

4. What
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5. What
6. What
a.

did you learn about yourself through this activity?

did you learn from your peers?
is privilege? What does privilege mean to you?
After some answers, read definition and allow students to reflect:
Privilege is unearned and there are some things that seem
unfair, but are out of our control. Even though we all started
with no post-its, some people have to carry a load that others do
not.
7. What are some privileges we saw displayed (i.e., white privilege,
heterosexual privilege, male privilege, seen and unseen privileges)?
8. How does this activity affect the way you communicate with your
residents? Peers?
9. Why would it be important for you to not be a bystander if you are in a
privileged group?
a. Close question and activity with this statement: Though privilege
is out of our control, everyone in this room has a responsibility to
recognize privilege or lack thereof in others. It is our duty to
help in achieving equity and fairness in the communities we
belong to.
10.
Thank everyone for their participation and willingness to share
with the group.