TEDxEMU - Justin Ford - Pedagogy of Privilege

Summary

In this engaging presentation, the speaker addresses the challenging topic of privilege, explaining its definition and implications. They emphasize a multi-dimensional model of privilege, highlighting various types such as gender, racial, and socioeconomic privileges. The speaker argues for internal reflection on one's own privileges rather than pointing fingers at others, aiming to foster understanding and equality. Interactive exercises like the stand-up activity and the privilege pledge are suggested to raise awareness and promote responsible actions toward equalizing privileges.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is excited about presenting and hopes to engage the audience on the topic of privilege.
• 🤔 The concept of privilege is often uncomfortable and not commonly discussed, making it a challenging subject to address.
• 🔑 Privilege is defined as access to or enjoyment of rights or advantages by belonging to a certain group or identity, often unearned and undeserved.
• 🌟 The speaker admires Howard Booth and uses his charisma to entertain the audience, despite technical difficulties with the presentation format.
• 👥 The 'single group target approach' to teaching privilege can polarize and alienate people, which the speaker aims to avoid.
• 💡 The 'multi-dimensional model of privilege' is introduced to address privilege from a more holistic and less polarizing perspective.
• 🌈 The model suggests that privilege exists on a continuum and is not confined to discrete categories like race or gender.
• 🤝 Privilege is always interacting with our identities, and we should be aware of how we unconsciously exert it in various situations.
• 📝 The 'stand-up activity' is a method used to make participants more aware of their own privilege by physically standing or sitting in response to statements.
• 🏳️‍🏫 The 'privilege pledge' encourages individuals to commit to being more aware of a specific dimension of privilege for 30 days and to act on it.
• 🌍 Recognizing and understanding one's privilege is a responsibility that should be followed by actions to equalize opportunities for others.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the presentation?

The main topic of the presentation is the pedagogy of privilege, discussing the concept of privilege and how to teach it effectively.

Why is the subject of privilege considered tricky to broach?

The subject of privilege is considered tricky because it can make people uncomfortable as it implies that they benefit from certain advantages simply by belonging to a particular group, which is not something they earned or did anything to deserve.

What is the definition of privilege given in the script?

Privilege is defined as access to or enjoyment of rights or advantages simply by membership or belonging to a certain group or identity.

What is the 'multi-dimensional model of privilege' the speaker introduces?

The 'multi-dimensional model of privilege' is a model created by the speaker that strips away the single target group approach and broadens the concept of privilege to include various dimensions such as gender, race, religion, and others. It emphasizes that privilege is not discrete but exists in a continuum and is always interacting with our identities.

Why did the speaker choose to create their own model of privilege?

The speaker chose to create their own model to avoid the single group target approach that can polarize and threaten people, and instead wanted to present a more holistic and non-threatening perspective on privilege.

What is the 'stand-up activity' mentioned in the script?

The 'stand-up activity' is an exercise where participants stand up or sit down in response to statements related to various dimensions of privilege, aiming to make them more aware of their own privilege and how it interacts with their daily life.

What is the purpose of the 'privilege pledge' exercise?

The 'privilege pledge' is an exercise where participants commit to being more aware of a specific dimension of privilege for 30 days and to interact with it differently, with the goal of working towards equalizing the playing field.

What does the speaker suggest is our responsibility once we recognize our privilege?

The speaker suggests that once we recognize our privilege, it is our responsibility to work to extend that privilege to those who do not have it, in order to equalize the playing field.

How does the speaker address the issue of inequality in the script?

The speaker addresses the issue of inequality by encouraging individuals to recognize and understand their own privilege, and then to take active steps to use that privilege to work towards greater equality.

What is an example of privilege mentioned in the script?

An example of privilege mentioned in the script is the ability for men to take off their shirts in public without it being questioned, whereas women do not have the same privilege.

What is the role of the 'Sneetches' example in the script?

The 'Sneetches' example is used to illustrate the concept of privilege, where some individuals are favored simply because they belong to a certain group, without having done anything to earn or deserve it.