Wednesday, February 27, 2008

m&m power/privilege activity

Today we did an activity to simulate the earned and unearned priveleges/powers of an assumed person in our fieldwork community. While doing the activity, my assumed person's perspective was that of a caucasian female so that I could see where we may differ while still having similarities. She enjoyed the privileges of being American and having free thoughts and beliefs-she was not held to one religion or system. However, she did not enjoy the privileges of the white man nor believe in that system of inequality.
I had fewer m&m's than most of my neighbors and I wasn't sure how to feel about it. I couldn't decide whether it meant that my person was more limited or more free in their privileges and ideas. The activity surprised me because in various volunteer groups there were so many different perspectives, privileges, factors, and ideas that impacted them-when at first glance volunteers just seem to be volunteers. In re-creating the power/privilege activity, I would use vegan chocolate so that I could eat it too:) Otherwise, I think the activity was very effective as it was. And in order to add more chocolate to the napkin, I don't think much could change. Maybe get a smaller napkin.

1 comment:

Lauren said...

hey megan! i saw your post when i was looking for an activity with M&Ms to learn about racism and power. I was wondering if you could email me what you did in class, I vaguely remember doing this activity a long time ago, but I can't remember the details. thank you! lauren lemarlotte@gmail.com