X-block – Schluntz Gymnasium: Privilege Walk

One of the two activities planned for X-block was a “Privilege Walk” in Schluntz Gymnasium, similar to an activity done in advisories a few weeks ago. Students started in a line at one end of the gym with linked arms. They then stepped forward or backward based on their response to statements written by Amnesty International’s Field Director Kalaya’an Mendoza. These statements were about their identities and caused the group to unlink arms as they took different paths across the gymnasium.

Sophomore Komal Wasif presented the activity on behalf of her sister senior Nawal Wasif, who planned the activity but was out sick. Senior Julianna Yue led a discussion afterward. She said that the goal of the activity was to expose the reality of White privilege.

“We wanted to make room for a block to show that White privilege is real and that it exists,” Yue said.

Social studies teacher Malcolm Cawthorne added that the point of the activity was to show people’s starting points in society and the amount of opportunity they have based on their unchangeable identities.

The statement categories varied widely, ranging from race and gender to religion and economics. “If you are relatively sure you can enter a store without being followed, take one step forward,” one question read. “If the members of your gender are portrayed on TV in degrading roles, take one step backward,” read another.

View more of the questions here.

The following discussion focused mostly on opportunity, with some students saying that it was interesting to see a visual representation of privilege.

The Walk, attended by about 35 students, was dominated by female students, with only one White, cisgender male present.

“It’s disappointing that the most privileged group is not here to discuss this with us,” one student said.