Privilege Exercise

Did your parents work nights and weekends to support your family?

Are you able to move through the world without fear of sexual assault?

Can you show affection for your romantic partner in public without fear of ridicule or violence?

Have you ever been diagnosed as having a physical or mental illness/disability?

Was the primary language spoken in your household growing up English?

Did you come from a supportive family environment?

Have you ever tried to change your speech or mannerisms to gain credibility?

Can you go anywhere in the country and easily find the kinds of hair products you need and/or cosmetics that match your skin color?

Were you embarrassed about your clothes or house while growing up?

Can you make mistakes and not have people attribute your behavior to flaws in your racial/gender group?

Can you legally marry the person you love, regardless of where you live?

Were you born in the United States?

Have you or your parents have ever gone through a divorce?

Do you feel like you had adequate access to healthy food growing up?

Are you reasonably sure you would be hired for a job based on your ability and qualifications?

Would you ever think twice about calling the police when trouble occurs?

Can you see a doctor whenever you feel the need?

Do you feel comfortable being emotionally expressive/open?

Have you ever been the only person of your race/gender/socio-economic status/ sexual orientation in a classroom or workplace setting?

Did you take out loans for your education?

Do you get time off for your religious holidays?

Did you have a job during your high school and college years?

Do you feel comfortable walking home alone at night?

Have you ever traveled outside the United States?

Have you ever felt like there was NOT adequate or accurate representation of your racial group, sexual orientation group, gender group, and/or disability group in the media?

Do you feel confident that your parents would be able to financially help/support you if you were going through a financial hardship?

Have you ever been bullied or made fun of based on something that you can't change?

Were there more than 50 books in your house growing up?

Did you study the culture or the history of your ancestors in elementary school?

Did your parents or guardians attended college?

Did you ever go on a family vacation?

Can you buy new clothes or go out to dinner when you want to?

Were you ever offered a job because of your association with a friend or family member?

Were one of your parents ever laid off or unemployed not by choice?

Were you ever uncomfortable about a joke or a statement you overheard related to your race, ethnicity, gender, appearance, or sexual orientation but felt unsafe to confront the situation?