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This module introduces the concepts of privilege and marginalization and encourages you to consider the complexity and intersectionality of identity: your own and the patients you care for.

Introduction | 4 minutes

Assignment
Videos
Podcasts
Readings
Additional Resources

Assignment

See learning objectives and parts 1 - 4 below. Click here to access the assignment submission portal. Before submission, please be sure to watch the introductory video above.

Learning Objectives

Students will understand the concepts of power and privilege, marginalization and stigma and intersectionality.
Students will self-reflect on their own areas of privilege and marginalization.

Part 1

Read White Privilege - Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack (McIntosh, 1989) and answer the following:

This was a seminal paper at the time identifying and discussing the concept of white privilege. What do you think the author means by interlocking hierarchies in our society? How does the concept of 'color blindness' reinforce hierarchies of privilege?

Part 2

Choose 1 video or podcast from the collection provided and answer the following:

Which video or podcast did you select?
After reviewing, what struck you about what you viewed and how will this impact your future practice as a physician?

Part 3

Reflection, please answer the following:

What are your areas of privilege (headwinds) and marginalization (tailwinds)?

Part 4

Participate in small group discussion using Tools for Discussing Identity and Privilege Among Medical Students, Trainees, and Faculty (2019).

Videos

What is white privilege? | 3 minutes
John Aemichi | BBC Bitesize

Psychologist and former NBA player explains white privilege.

Your Privilege is Showing | 13 minutes
Lillian Medville | TEDx Talk

Lillian Medville, the developer of a unique experience-based card game that allows for conversations about privilege and social justice, discusses her own evolution with understanding culture and power.

Life of Privilege Explained in a $100 Race | 4 minutes

One example of a privilege walk highlighting unearned privilege and inequities.

How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion | 18 minutes
Peggy McIntosh | TEDx Timberlane Schools

Podcasts

Unpacking White Privilege (Part 1) | 30 minutes
Peggy McIntosh | Safe Space Radio

Peggy McIntosh, the author of the groundbreaking essay “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” published in 1988, talks about how encounters with the sexism of well-meaning men helped her see that she too had blind spots about her own racism.

Unpacking White Privilege (Part 2) | 30 minutes
Peggy McIntosh | Safe Space Radio

Peggy McIntosh talks about the five phases of understanding white privilege.

Readings

White Privilege - Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack (McIntosh, 1989)

Peggy McIntosh's landmark 1989 paper describing white privilege.

Perceived Discrimination and Privilege in Health Care The Role of Socioeconomic Status and Race (2017)

In this American Journal of Preventive Medicine article authors Stepanikova and Oates, examine how perceived racial privilege and perceived racial discrimination in health care varied with race and socioeconomic status.

The coin model of privilege and critical allyship: implications for health (2019)

In this BMC Public Health article author Stephanie Nixon discusses how considering structural inequities leading to health disparities without also considering the structural unearned advantages or privileges which result leads to a limited understanding of the problem and to limited solutions. She describes the practice of critical allyship.

Additional Resources

Tools for Discussing Identity and Privilege Among Medical Students, Trainees, and Faculty (2019)

In this MedEdPortal article by Chow et al. The authors review workshops over six months with medical students, residents/fellows and faculty around identity workshops. See the attached resources below.

A. Identity Wheel Instructions

B. Identity Wheel Handouts

C. Group Reading

D. Marshmallow and Pretzel Activity

E. Survey

Inclusive Language in Medical Education

Check out this living document which promotes inclusive language in Medical Education.

Individual Knapsack Role Play Exercise

This facilitator guide walks you through the Invisible Knapsack Role Play exercise. This exercises provides an engaging introduction to the idea of white privilege.