Case Studies and Reflective Tools
Reflective Tool: Unpacking Your Privilege
The following a list of the most privileged identities in the United States. You’ll notice that these are the identities that make up the “mythical norm.”
(Print-Only PDF) PERSONAL REFLECTION_ Unpacking Your Privilege
For each identity, consider the following questions:
- If you share this identity, what barriers has it insulated you from having to overcome?
- If you don’t have this identity, what are some of the barriers that being outside of this group has created for you?
- How do you think that this privilege impacts daily life? What are some example of factors that people with this identity just don’t have to think about during their day?
Privileged Identities in the United States
- Male
- Cisgender
- White
- English Speaking
- Heterosexual
- Christian
- Middle to Upper Middle Economic Class
- American Citizen
- Able-bodied
- Neurotypical
- Healthy
- Young
- Formally educated (bachelor’s degree or higher)
- Pretty/Attractive
- Thin
- Light-Skin (if you are a person of color)
- Passing (if you are person with a marginalized identity that others may not immediately notice when they met you)
