5/22/2018 Step Forward, Step Back Racial Equity Activity

1/4

Step Forward, Step Back1Activity

(40-50 minutes)

Introduction:

This activity shows some of the advantages and disadvantages related to skin color andorganizational power and privilege. The activity is used to show how long-term accumulation ofadvantages ased on skin color and!or organizational privilege can produce gaps among groupsand create ine"uities in the communities we hope to serve. #e will see visually howdisadvantages and privileges have played out for us as individuals and we will see how ourpositions within the organizations we work have privileged us$ some perhaps more than others.The central "uestion at the end is$ what does our positioning reveal and how may we use thisunderstanding to close these gaps%

Instructions:

This activity should e conducted in a large open area where participants can move

around easily.

&sk participants to stand and form a line in the middle of the room. They should e

touching shoulders with the people on oth sides. ('se your udgment aout askingpeople to stand so close together. f you think it would e awkward for the group$another way to do this is to ask everyone to hold a piece of string with the person ne*t tothem. &s the activity progresses$ they will hold the string for as long as possile$

dropping it when they are too far apart to hold onto it). f participants are not ale to takea step (e.g.$ if they are in a wheelchair)$ invite them to +move forward or ack.,

ead each statement to the group. articipants will respond accordingly to what is true

for them / personally and in the position they hold within their organization / that is$they will step forward$ or step ack. f the statement doesnt apply$ participants willstand still.

1ive people time to think efore they move.

&sk people to oserve how others move as you read the statements.

&dvise people that$ if their parents e*periences were different$ they should do this

activity with one parent in mind.

2et participants know that this activity may ring up strong emotions$ and thats 3. 2et

them know they will have a chance to talk aout how they feel at the end of the activity.

1This activity is adapted from Everyday Democracys Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation,discussion guide, pp.16-21.http://everyday-democracy.org/resources/facing-racism-diverse-nation

http://everyday-democracy.org/resources/facing-racism-diverse-nationhttp://everyday-democracy.org/resources/facing-racism-diverse-nation

5/22/2018 Step Forward, Step Back Racial Equity Activity

2/4

To egin$ form a line in the middle of the room. The facilitator will read a series of statements.

Think aout how the statements apply to you. Then take one step forward$ stand still$ or take onestep ack.

Part A: Personal Identity:

. f you were ever in a situation where you were the only one according to your racial orethnic identify$ take one step ack.

6. f you were ever called names ecause of your racial or ethnic identity$ take one stepack.

7. f your relatives (ancestors) were forced to come to the '.8.$ take one step ack.

4. f you e*pect an inheritance from a family memer (property$ cash$ onds$ etc.) take one

step forward.

5. f you purchased your first home with help from your parents$ take one step forward.

9. f most of your teachers were from the same racial or ethnic ackground as you$ take oneforward.

:. f your parents spoke ;nglish as a first language$ take one step forward.

. degree$ take one stepforward.

?. f '.8. laws prevented memers of your same racial or ethnic identify from voting$ takeone step ack.

0. f you come from a racial or ethnic group that have ever een considered y scientists as+inferior$, take one step ack.

. f you$ or a relative have een detained since the 8eptemer thattacks in the '.8.$ takeone step ack.

6. f your ancestors land was made part of the '.8.$ take one step ack.

7. f you elieve you have een harassed y the police ecause of your skin color$ take onestep ack.

4. f you see people from your same racial or ethnic ackground as @;3s in most Aortune500 companies$ take one step forward.

5. f you can have a candid conversation aout racism at your family dinner tale withouteing shut down$ take one step forward.

Facilitator: Areeze the group and ask people to look around the room to see where everyone isstanding. &sk the following "uestionsB &t what point did you stop touching shoulders% #hy didpeople end up where they are%

5/22/2018 Step Forward, Step Back Racial Equity Activity

3/4

Facilitator: 2isten to a few answers from the group. &fter people have e*pressed their feelings

aout where they are$ then move the group onto the ne*t set of "uestions.

Part B: Organizational/positional Identity:

. f your organizations grant making portfolio is etween C5-C5 million annually$ takeone step forward.

6. f your organizations grant making portfolio is more than C50 million$ take one stepforward.

7. f you have discretionary grant making authority for funds etween C00$000 and

C600$000$ take one step forward.4. f you have discretionary grant making authority over C600$000$ take one step forward.

5. f your organization has e"uity elements written into employee competencies$ take onestep forward.

9. f your organizations grant making authority is national and!or international$ take onestep forward.

:. f past strategic planning in your organization has een done y a small group of+e*perts, selected y top management and with little to no input from your grantees$ takeone step ack.

5/22/2018 Step Forward, Step Back Racial Equity Activity

4/4

FacilitatorB

#hat patterns$ if any$ did you notice aout where everyone ended up in the room from

oth activities%

#hen you think aout where everyone ended up$ what does this say aout our country%

#hat does it say aout our work% #hat might it mean for the communities we serve%

Eow does it feel to have gone through these two activities%