Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

High School Teacher Taught His Class A Simple Yet Powerful Lesson About Privilege
35.9K

High School Teacher Taught His Class A Simple Yet Powerful Lesson About Privilege

ADVERTISEMENT

If you’re reading this, you’re probably enjoying  quite a few privileges that you may not even be aware of. You may even take what you have for granted: such is the nature of privilege.

It can be a hard thing to understand, even for adults. But one high school teacher found a wonderfully simple way to explain it so that all of his students got the message. Don’t miss this brilliant lesson!

More info: buzzfeed (via: boredpanda.es)

One high school teacher decided to teach his class about privilege, so he made a simple exercise. First, all the students received a piece of paper and crumpled it into a ball

Then, the recycling bin was placed in front of the classroom

“You represent the country’s population, and everyone has the chance to become wealthy and reach the upper class”

“All you must do is throw your paper balls into the bin while sitting in your seats”

ADVERTISEMENT

Of course, students in the back of the room had it worse than the ones in front, and complained about this unfairness

Everyone threw their ball and many (not all) students in the front made it, and only a few in the back made it, as expected

“The closer you were to the recycling bin, the better your odds: this is privilege. Did you notice how the only ones who complained were in the back of the room?”

ADVERTISEMENT

“But people in front of room were less likely to be aware of their privilege. They only saw 10 feet between them and their goal”

ADVERTISEMENT

“You are students receiving an education, and your job is to be aware of your privilege. Use this privilege called ‘education’ to try to achieve great things, but also to advocate for those who are behind you.”

Share on Facebook
Lokkie

Lokkie

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

Not a bored panda... I'm an angry turtle! :P

Read less »
Lokkie

Lokkie

Author, BoredPanda staff

Not a bored panda... I'm an angry turtle! :P

What do you think ?
Add photo comments
POST
UllaSutton
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it is brilliant and a very important lesson! i will try this in my classroom, so thank you for inspiration

DaisyWallflower
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What if someone from the back of the room passed their paper up to the front line and trusted an individual to make it happen?

CarnotRomero
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Thank you for passing me this lovely piece of paper, but it does not have a picture of Benjamin Franklin on it. Please pass one that does."

Load More Replies...
MariaLazoura
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The people in the front could have passed the bin to the back rows to help those in a less privileged position.

Load More Comments
UllaSutton
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it is brilliant and a very important lesson! i will try this in my classroom, so thank you for inspiration

DaisyWallflower
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What if someone from the back of the room passed their paper up to the front line and trusted an individual to make it happen?

CarnotRomero
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Thank you for passing me this lovely piece of paper, but it does not have a picture of Benjamin Franklin on it. Please pass one that does."

Load More Replies...
MariaLazoura
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The people in the front could have passed the bin to the back rows to help those in a less privileged position.

Load More Comments
You May Like
Related on Bored Panda
Related on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda