Intercultural Communication Institute

SIIC 2009 Description

37 | Dealing with Privilege: Thinking Clearly and Acting Effectively

“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
Educators, trainers, consultants, counselors, change agents, organizational leaders, and others involved in diversity initiatives or who work in multicultural contexts.

Objectives
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

Learning Activities

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

Faculty: Carlos Cortés

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.