Box 12 - Unlearning Our Privilege

Over the last academic year and the beginning of this year I have attended many AIGA meetings. There are very few issues that would make me under privileged in the group. All of age, nationality, gender, skin color, race, ethnicity, and religion do not affect how the groupd treats them. There are other things that may give you more power in the group. If you are an upper class man with much higher education and experience, you are looked up to as a leader in the group. I may have power in the group because of my past in web design and years of experience in the fields. I am already on the list to help out with the web site. Social support may have a small effect on a persons experience in the group. The more people the person knows in the group, the more chances they may have to share ideas and opinions.

As I study the group I do want to find out more about where the power lies and how privilege affects that power. Since the group is not as controversial as other groups there are not many biased opinions in the group about things. Most opinions are spoken only only small detail such as meeting time, t-shirt designs, guest speakers, restaurants to eat at etc.