Session III b: July 26-28, 2010

38. Dealing with Privilege: Thinking Clearly and Acting Effectively Carlos Cortés “Oh, so you’re neutral on that topic. Then whom are you neutral against?” Mark Twain What is privilege? How does it affect our lives? What ethical dilemmas does it raise concerning equity and inclusion? What can we do about it, both in our personal lives and within organizations? These questions and others will be addressed in this workshop, which goes beyond raising awareness to examining critical issues related to dealing effectively with the complexities of privilege.

Designed for Objectives Learning Activities Carlos Cortés Educators, trainers, consultants, counselors, change agents, organizational leaders, and others involved in diversity initiatives or who work in multicultural contexts. Participants will have the opportunity to examine: The concept of privilege from a variety of perspectives The effect of privilege on themselves and others Structures that maintain privilege How privilege operates within organizations Skills for addressing diversity-related privilege Ways that organizations can reduce privilege-based inequities Dilemmas that arise when addressing privilege Strategies for teaching others about privilege Examining privilege models and case studies Analyzing structures that support privilege Sharing and exploring individual challenges Applying practical change and coping strategies Considering the role of personal values Using media in teaching about privilege   Dr. Carlos Cortés is a Professor Emeritus of History at the University of California, Riverside. Recipient of the American Society for Training and Development’s National Multicultural Trainer of the Year Award, he lectures throughout the world and serves on the faculties of the Harvard Institutes for Higher Education and the Federal Executive Institute. Carlos is creative/cultural advisor for Nickelodeon’s “Dora the Explorer” and “Go, Diego, Go!” and also performs his one-person autobiographical play, “A Conversation with Alana: One Boy’s Multicultural Rite of Passage.” His books include The Children Are Watching: How the Media Teach about Diversity and The Making—and Remaking—of a Multiculturalist.