We had a group of ethnically diverse college students
participate in an activity
to show ways in which society privileges
some people over others.
Take a look.
(dramatic band music)
I'm gonna be askin' you a series of 35 questions.
If your parents worked nights and weekends
to support your family, take one step back.
If you are able to move
through the world without fear of sexual assault,
take one step forward.
If you can show affection
for your romantic partner in public,
without fear of ridicule or violence,
take one step forward. (suspenseful band music)
The experience, today, definitely helped me see
the world in a different perspective.
I kept stepping forward.
And as I was keep going forward,
it was like, "Am I really that privileged?"
I didn't feel like I deserved to be out there.
(suspenseful band music) If you have ever been
diagnosed as having a physical
or mental illness.
If the primary language spoken in your household,
growing up, was not English.
If you have ever tried to change your speech
or mannerisms to gain credibility.
I'm from a small town in Connecticut.
So I've heard like, I live in a bubble.
Because I am white or because I have blonde hair
doesn't mean I should in front of them.
(suspenseful band music) If you can go
anywhere in the country
and easily find the kinds of hair products you need,
that match your skin color.
If you were embarrassed about your clothes or house,
while growing up.
If you can legally marry the person you love.
If you would never think twice about calling the police
when trouble occurs, take one step forward.
I'm already a double minority,
being African American and also being a homosexual male.
I'm always like, expecting myself to be further back.
(suspenseful band music) If you can see a doctor
whenever you feel the need.
If you have ever been the only person of your race,
gender, in a classroom or workplace setting.
It felt like those who were in the front
were more uncomfortable.
There was one female behind me.
It felt like bein' a woman,
possibly coupled with an extra challenge.
(dramatic band music) If you get time off
for your religious holidays. If you had a job
during your high school and college years.
If you have ever felt like
there was not adequate or accurate representation
of your racial group, sexual orientation group.
I think one of the biggest things that I have
counting against me, it would be just sexuality.
It taught me that there's still a long ways
that we, as a society, need to go.
(suspenseful band music) If you have ever been
bullied or made fun of,
based on something you can't change, take one step back.
Looking at the people behind you,
it just makes you think about why
people don't get the opportunities that I do.
(dramatic band music) If there were more than
50 books in your house, growing up.
If you studied the culture
or the history of your ancestors in elementary school.
If you were ever offered a job
because of your association
with a friend or a family member.
If you were ever laid off or unemployed, not by choice.
If you were ever uncomfortable
about a joke you overheard, related to your race,
ethnicity, gender, appearance, or sexual orientation,
take one step back. (dramatic band music)
Thank you all, for participating today.
(zooming tones)
I'm very aware of my white privilege.
But it really showed through (chuckles)
when I looked behind me.
And most of the people in the very back
were people of color.
I was in the back.
I'm not ever in the back of anything that I do.
Being in the front made me feel uncomfortable.
It's an awkward feeling to like, be up there
and know that everyone behind you
can look at you, right, but you can't look at them.
(dramatic band music) I landed in the very back
of the crowd.
I was a bit surprised.
I didn't have very much, growing up.
But I've always thought that
there are other people who had less.
I didn't know I was gonna end up in the front.
The way I was raised, by the border of Mexico,
that I would be less privileged,
though it's weird to know that I am actually doing good.
(suspenseful band music) I think talkin' about
white privilege in a room
full of white people is awkward.
But in a room full of different ethnic groups,
I think it's necessary. (dramatic band music)
It's a very sensitive topic.
You don't wanna offend anyone, but it's true.
There are racial and social disparities in America,
and these issues need to be talked about.
(dramatic band music)
Okay, I found that really interesting.
And I wanna talk to a few of the people
that were involved in it.
Ryan, you wound up very much in the front, correct?
Yes, I did. When you looked
over your shoulder, what was your reaction?
When I turned around,
and I saw everyone, like everyone behind me,
it was like, "Whoa."
It was kinda; it really did prove the point
that it does exist.
Did you, then or now,
feel like you've done anything wrong?
It felt like I had done something wrong,
even though I couldn't like, pinpoint.
It felt like I shouldn't be here.
Randy, stand up, if you will.
You were in the back, correct?
Yes. How'd you feel?
Well, it definitely felt like,
bein' in the back, you got to see everyone else.
But those in front of us didn't get to see us.
Wow. (audience murmurs)
Yeah, interesting.