WALK OF PRIVILEGE

Privilege walks are designed to help participants better understand privilege, diversity, and inclusion. As a result of engaging in an exercise such as this, we can recognize the hidden and varying levels of privilege beneath our public persona. Creating a more inclusive and equitable work environment requires us to learn about ourselves and about each other.

The Privilege Walk is generally conducted in person in a large open area. To respond to 16 statements read aloud, each participant lines up in a straight line and takes one step forward or backward. These statements are related to a variety of factors, including socioeconomic status, race, and upbringing. Everyone kept track of his or her own score, adding or subtracting points based on how the statement applied to the individual.

1. Take a step back if you have ever been bullied or made fun of for reasons you cannot change.
2. You should take a step back if you have ever been the only person of your race/gender/socioeconomic/sexual orientation in a classroom or workplace setting.
3. Take one step forward if you have ever travelled outside of India.
4. Take one step back if you felt uncomfortable about a joke or a statement that you overheard that may have impacted your race, ethnicity, gender, appearance, or sexual orientation but felt unsafe to confront it.
5. Consider taking one step forward if you were ever offered a job because of your association with a friend or family member.
6. Take one step backward if you have ever skipped a meal because there was no food available in the house.
7. Take one step forward if you attended (grade) school with people that you felt were like yourself.
8. Take one step backward if you have been discriminated against based on gender, ethnicity, age or sexual orientation.
9. Take one step back if you have ever been passed over for a job position because of your gender, ethnicity, age, or sexual orientation.
10. Take one step forward if you are satisfied with how your culture is depicted in the media.
11. One step forward if you have parents or guardians who attended college.
12. Consider taking a step forward if you grew up in a supportive family environment.
13. You should take one step forward if you are reasonably certain that you will be hired because of your skills and qualifications.
14. Take a step back if you have ever attempted to gain credibility by changing your speech or mannerisms.
15. Take one step forward if you attended a private school.
16. Take one step backward if you have ever felt unsafe walking alone at night.