Scene Three: Thursday, May 10, 2007:
Including and Engaging people of all socio-economic levels
Working with the unmentionable difference - Class

The following exercise was supplied by presenters of this session, Evangelina Holvino of Chaos Management, Ltd., Boston, MA, and Maureen Scully of the University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA.

The exercise is intended to represent the various levels of privilege that influence class.

Form one line at the center of the room.

STEP FORWARD IF... STAY IN PLACE IF... STEP BACK IF...
You are a man. You are a woman. You identify as a woman or man of color.
In terms of race or ethnicity, you can "pass" for the majority group. You are not sure. You cannot "pass."
Both parents finished college. One of your parents finished college. Neither parent finished college.
Your parents helped you pay for college.   You worked more than 20 hours a week while attending college.
Graduated from an Ivy League or top-ranked college. Graduated from another college. Did not finish college.
You have always found a place to live, one that you could afford, one that felt safe and comfortable.   You have had to live in places that felt unsafe or uncomfortable to afford a place to live.
Your ancestors got land under one of the Homestead Acts. You are not sure. Your ancestors lost land due to conquest by European colonizers or the U.S. government.
You had a phone in your home when you were growing up.   You did not have a phone in your home when you were growing up.
Your parents helped you with the down payment for your first house.   You do not own real estate.
You have investments in mutual funds, 401Ks, IRAs, etc.   You do not have investments in mutual funds, 401Ks, IRAs, etc.

Scene Three was the third session of the 2007 NW Diversity Learning Series, Life Theater - Inclusion and Engagement: Challenging and Expanding My Diversity Competency: Moving Beyond My Comfort Zone. The Series, held in Seattle, WA, is organized by The GilDeane Group, publishers of DiversityCentral.com.