We are going to connect today to our previous discussion on intersectionality. We are working within a framework that validates and recognizes the multiple facets of each individual's identity, recognizing that these different identity markers can carry varying levels of oppression, marginalization, and privilege.
Privilege refers to the advantages that individuals and groups are afforded in systems of power (communities, organizations, countries, families, etc.). Often, conversations about privilege become ones where stark lines are drawn between "haves" and "have-nots"; we're aiming for a slightly different discussion today, where we'll focus on how privilege and oppression affect our relationships with each other and how we can navigate these dynamics to work better together.
Reminder/Check for Understanding: Intersectionality: an analytic framework that attempts to identify how interlocking systems of power impact those who are most marginalized in society. Marginalization: treatment of a person or group as powerless, insignificant or peripheral. Oppression: the systematic mistreatment of people within a social identity group, supported and enforced by the society and its institutions, solely based on the person’s membership in the social identity group.
Depending on the cohort that you're in, Facilitator should pull up the attendance spreadsheet and quickly take attendance. If in a mixed group, pass around a sign-up sheet.
The cohort introduces their norms from Mod 1 to the Facilitator.
Here's what we're going to do today:
1. Review a list of statements that describe the different ways people in our society may experience privilege or marginalization.
Everyone will interact with these statements differently because we all walk in the door today with different experiences. That diversity of experiences is a strength of our community.
These statements help illustrate how varied our experiences of privilege/marginalization/oppression are, and will help every individual in the session connect with different sides of the power dynamic.
2. Write/reflect on how, as an individual, your unique experiences of privilege and oppression have affected your sense of connection to those around you.
Inevitably, everyone will have some experiences that roughly fit in the category of being oppressed, and everyone will have some experiences that roughly fit in the category of being privileged. One thing that these experiences share is they both seem to have a pretty profound effect on people's feeling of connection to those around them. We will set aside a period of time to write and reflect on both types of experiences.
Today's discussion will rely on taking the academic topic of privilege and relating it to our day-to-day lives. While the first exercise helps people connect personally to the topic, writing provides everyone some space to more fully process the effect of those experiences on our relationships with each other.
We'll organize in groups of 4-5 to review the material we wrote on and work together to explore the topic with one another.
Sharing and listening are both an important part of processing this material. We learn by figuring out how to articulate complicated experiences respectfully; by listening, we have a chance to learn from others and appreciate how our experiences connect us.
We'll continue discussion in the same groups, but pivot to some new questions focused specifically on ways in which privilege and oppression shape our experience at Turing.
Today's exercise is intended to help all the individuals in your class develop awareness and empathy around privilege so that you can make meaningful changes to how you interact in your remaining 5 months together. Pivoting the discussion towards real life, right now, helps us continue to direct this conversation from something cerebral to something that makes a difference in people's lives today.
We'll take a few minutes to tie all this back to what we can each do, as individuals, to stay connected.
Ultimately, today's conversation should lead to individuals' ability to connect with others in spite of experiencing privilege differently in the dynamics they share. Individuals need time to tie this really complex topic back to what they can do, today, to connect and do right by others who are affected by privilege, oppression, and marginalization.
Chairs and tables available for small group discussions. Students start out seated in their groups. Print the statements and reflection questions for students. Print
The facilitator will kick off the session by reviewing the overview described above. After that overview, small groups will do whip around to each member: every individual should share briefly how they're feeling (concerns about the session, lunch coma, TGIF).
Walk through the session overview (above) and what you will do today. Before we begin, we want to make sure that we have some norms for the conversation. Everyone has different experiences and different perspectives. As we start to engage, remind ourselves of our Gear Up Norms.
Review the following list of statements that describe the different ways people in our society may experience privilege, oppression, or marginalization. Put a check mark next to statements that are true for you. When you finish the list, respond to the questions listed below.
- ___ Someone has made assumptions about you based on how you look.
- ___ You come from a single-parent household.
- ___ You can make mistakes and not have people attribute your behavior to flaws in your racial or gender group.
- ___ You have always assumed you’ll go to college.
- ___ You have an invisible illness or disability.
- ___ You have experienced sexual harassment.
- ___ You rely, or have relied, primarily on public transportation.
- ___ You do your best work when you are in a quiet space.
- ___ You studied the culture of your ancestors in elementary school.
- ___ You often feel/felt that your parents are/were too busy to spend time with you.
- ___ You feel personally safe to call the police when trouble occurs.
- ___ English is your first language.
- ___ There was never substance abuse in your household.
- ___ You've ever felt uncomfortable sharing your political attitudes because they would be held against you.
- ___ You constantly feel unsafe walking alone at night.
- ___ Someone in your household experiences mental illness.
- ___ You were ever made fun of or bullied for something you could not change or was beyond your control.
- ___ You have ever been spoken over during a professional conversation.
- ___ You can show affection for your romantic partner in public without fear of ridicule or violence.
- ___ You ever tried to change your appearance, mannerisms, or behavior to fit in more.
- ___ Your religious holidays were/are celebrated in school/work.
- ___ You feel good about how your identities are portrayed by the media.
- ___ Others have assumed you were not tech-savvy because of your age.
- ___ You have seen an aspect of your identity caricatured as a Halloween costume, mascot, or party theme.
- ___ You see yourself well-represented in the current tech industry.
Once finished reviewing the list, respond in your notebook to these questions.
- What were some factors that you have never thought of before?
- What statement made you think most? If you could add a statement, what would it be?
- Select one of the statements that describes a seeming disadvantage that you would feel comfortable discussing.
- What did that/those experience(s) feel like?
- If you were trying to describe that experience to someone else, what would that person need to do to help you continue to feel connected/trusting of them, even if they didn't share the experience?
- Select one of the statements that describes a seeming advantage/privilege that you would feel comfortable discussing.
- What did that/those experience(s) feel like?
- If you were trying to describe that experience to someone else who hadn't shared that experience with you, how would that affect your trust with them? What could that person do to help you sustain trust? What could you do?
We'll meet in groups to discuss what came up during our writing. Please be attentive to being respectful, active listeners.
Final Prompt: Connect your experience in this activity, our previous discussion on empathy, and your perspective-taking homework assignment from Mod 1.
- How can we at Turing work together to create a more inclusive environment?
- Think of three specific action items you and your group are willing to take.
Take time to share out some reflections from the group and share any reflections you have from the conversations.
Please have students complete the Gear Up reflection in their personal Gear Up gist, answering these questions:
- What are you left thinking about from today's session?
- How do you think the concepts covered in Gear Up today will impact you as a software developer? 3-5 sentences
- Any additional thoughts on the session today?
These reflections will take the place of Gear Up Surveys, and students should continue using that same gist to reflect throughout the module.
Facilitator: Close with a few final thoughts to summarize the group discussion