A tool to identify a lack of diversity and inclusion, and to help individuals know their own privileges to help others.

ABOUT THIS TOOL

The Privilege Web is based on the great power literacy work of Maya Goodwill in her Field Guide to Power Literacy.

The Privilege Web defines key privileges and can be used for several purposes:

• Assess an experience for diversity and inclusion and brainstorm improvements
• Identify your own privileges and brainstorm ways to use them to help others less privileged

PLEASE NOTE:

• This exercise can feel quite confronting and personal for some. People who have used this have felt guilty about how much privilege they have, while others are saddened by how little they have. This is also why it’s an important exercise, because it helps us think about things that have a great negative impact but are easier not to think about.
• The exercise may also be difficult and/or dangerous depending on where you live in the world. For example, one privilege you’ll be asked about is your sexuality and gender, as heterosexual cis people have the most privilege. As a gay man myself, I understand people may not be ready to share this sexuality at this stage in their lives. Also, in some countries, homosexuality, being transgender, etc, is punishable by prison time, social ostracism, and/or death. So if you have to, for any reason, don’t declare that on the tool to maintain your privacy and safety, and you will still be able to see in your mind the privilege difference, and you can keep it to yourself.

WHY THIS TOOL IS IMPORTANT

Privileges are the unearned, identity-based benefits we inherit just by being part of one group and are enjoyed at the expense of others. The more privileged we are, the more unaware we can be. Knowing our place in the world can help us rebalance equity by:

• Recognising the lack of diversity and representation in design
• Recognising our privileges and using them to help the less privileged

The fact that this exercise can be confronting and/or dangerous shows just how much privilege can negatively impact others.