Using Metaphor to Teach about Privilege

• In Event: 125 - Section on Teaching and Learning in Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Table 04. Inequality and Change

Abstract

As many sociologists who teach about inequality can attest, we often encounter a great deal of student resistance to such teaching. Specifically, while majority students are often open to learning about how others are oppressed, they seem more resistant to learning about how part of inequality is the privilege members of majorities enjoy. In this paper, I describe a vignette I share with students, which introduces a metaphor to help them better understand privilege. Drawing from an experience I had while running, I explain how privilege is like having the wind at your back – those who are running into the wind are very aware of its existence, while those being aided by it think they are just really fast on their own merits. I explain how I have used this metaphor to illustrate to students that while they may work very hard, as I had to become a runner, that does not negate the impact of privilege on their experiences. I argue that such metaphors can help students learn, particularly re: concepts they are reluctant, or even hostile, to consider.

Author

• Elizabeth J. Clifford, Towson University