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Overview
Video Run Time: 21:25
Facilitation Time: 1hr 8m
The Brave Spaces OD Immersive offers participants a deep dive into the challenging yet crucial conversations surrounding privilege, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). Based on a real case contributed by Tonya Wilson, a renowned DE&I consultant and thought-leader, this immersive simulation places participants in the role of a facilitator leading a Privilege Walk—an exercise designed to reveal the layers of privilege and inequality present in our workplaces and communities.​
Participants will explore the diverse dimensions of privilege, including race, class, and gender, while learning how to guide discussions that can provoke a range of emotions, from discomfort to resistance. Through this experience, participants will practice how to foster empathetic, brave spaces where honest dialogue can unfold without fear of judgment.
Participants will leave this immersive simulation with advanced facilitation techniques, a deeper understanding of their own biases, and the ability to better lead inclusive and compassionate conversations about privilege and inequality in their own organization.
Privilege Walks are experiential activities designed to illuminate the often unseen advantages and disparities present within a group. Participants stand side by side and are asked a series of questions related to various forms of privilege, such as race, gender, class, and ability. Based on their answers, they either take steps forward or backward (or in web-based versions, move a representative object forward or backward) visually representing the cumulative impact of privilege on their life experiences. The walk reveals the nuanced ways in which societal structures shape opportunities and challenges for individuals, fostering a deeper understanding of systemic inequities. It encourages participants to reflect on their own position relative to others, while cultivating empathy and awareness of the different realities faced by their peers.
Facilitation
Part 1 3:22
Tonya Wilson, the facilitator, introduces the purpose of the immersive and the importance of engaging in authentic, transparent conversations around privilege and diversity. She invites participants to reflect on their own journeys and lived experiences, highlighting how these shape our perspectives on identity. The discussion centers on creating psychologically safe and equitable spaces where everyone feels valued and understood.
Starter Question: “When you imagine yourself in Tonya’s shoes, how would you feel opening up such a sensitive and emotionally charged conversation? What fears or anxieties would surface for you in trying to guide others through a discussion about their personal stories and vulnerabilities?”
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Follow-up Questions:
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"What memories or experiences come to mind when you think about times you felt unseen or unheard? How did those moments shape your understanding of inclusion?"
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"In this space, what does authenticity mean to you, and how do you think it will influence the way we engage with each other today?"
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"What are your initial feelings about participating in this dialogue? Are there any apprehensions or hopes you have for our time together?"
Part 2 1:01
Participants are invited to set personal intentions for the immersive, reflecting on why they chose to engage in the Privilege Walk and what they hope to gain. Tonya encourages participants to remain mindful of these intentions throughout the experience, whether it's to deepen their understanding of privilege, empathize with others, or contribute to building a more inclusive community.
Starter Question: “As Tonya asks participants to reflect on their intentions, consider how you would set the tone for such a deeply personal and challenging conversation. How might your own expectations or biases influence the space you create for others? What unspoken goals or fears would you carry with you into this exercise?”
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Follow-up Questions:
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"Why did you choose to participate in this exercise today? What personal insights or growth are you hoping to achieve?"
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"What emotions arise when you reflect on privilege and how it has shaped your life? How do these emotions influence your desire to engage in this discussion?"
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"How do you hope to use this experience to contribute to fostering empathy and inclusion within your community or workplace?"
Part 3 3:31
Participants watch Jane Elliott’s Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes exercise, a pivotal moment that sparks reflection on how arbitrary characteristics like eye color can create divisions and inequality. The video evokes a range of emotions, from discomfort to hope, as participants see children quickly adopt feelings of superiority or inferiority based on physical traits. This exercise serves as a mirror for participants to examine their own biases and privileges.
Starter Question: “Imagine leading others through the Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes experiment and watching them respond to such stark, visible inequality. How would it feel to witness those dynamics unfold, knowing that participants may not yet fully recognize their own biases? What discomforts might you anticipate as you facilitate this raw and emotional discussion?”
Follow-up Questions:
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"As you watched the video, what emotions surfaced for you? How did it feel to see such young children absorb the messages of superiority and inferiority so quickly?"
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"Have there been moments in your life where you noticed similar divisions being made based on arbitrary traits? How did these moments affect you or others around you?"
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"What reflections do you have on your own privileges or biases after watching this? How do these realizations make you feel about your role in promoting inclusivity?"
Part 4 2:31
​Tonya facilitates a conversation about the meaning of privilege, with participants sharing their reflections on how privilege has manifested in their own lives. Discussions revolve around the often invisible nature of privilege and how it provides unearned advantages to some while creating barriers for others.
Starter Question: “As Tonya facilitates a conversation on privilege, what would it feel like to invite others to confront something that might be invisible to them? If you were in her shoes, how would you manage the tension between wanting to make others aware of their privilege and fearing that they might reject or resist that understanding?”
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Follow-up Questions:
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"What does privilege mean to you personally? Can you recall a time when you recognized an advantage or head start that you had without realizing it at the time?"
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"How has your understanding of privilege evolved over time, and what moments or experiences triggered that growth?"
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"In what ways do you see privilege impacting your everyday interactions, whether at work, in your community, or in personal relationships?"
Part 5 5:10
Participants engage in the Privilege Walk, moving forward or backward based on their lived experiences. The exercise visually demonstrates the disparities that exist based on race, gender, socioeconomic status, and more. As participants reflect on their positions, the discussion shifts to how privilege can be both invisible and deeply impactful. Emotional exchanges occur as participants come to terms with their place in the exercise.
Starter Question: “What does it mean to truly listen without judgment, and how can this practice transform the relationships within a community?”
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Follow-up Questions:
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"How did it feel to physically move forward or backward in the privilege walk? Were there any surprises or emotions that arose as you observed your own position relative to others?"
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"How did the privilege walk change the way you think about the advantages or challenges that others may face, often without your awareness?"
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"What steps can you take moving forward to address the disparities you observed today, both within yourself and in the spaces you influence?"
Part 6 4:06
Tonya leads a reflective discussion after the Privilege Walk, encouraging participants to acknowledge the range of emotions that the exercise stirred. Some participants express surprise at seeing how many others faced challenges, while others acknowledge the discomfort of confronting their own privileges. Tonya reinforces that the exercise is about fostering empathy, not assigning blame, and encourages participants to continue reflecting on the complexities of privilege.
Starter Question: “When you hear diverse voices coming together, what do you notice about the space that is created, and what might be possible in such a space that cannot be achieved alone?”
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Follow-up Questions:
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"What emotions are you left with after completing the privilege walk? How do these emotions inform the way you view privilege and inequality moving forward?"
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"How can recognizing your privilege help you become a more active ally in creating spaces where others feel valued and included?"
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"In what ways can you carry forward today’s lessons to foster empathy and understanding in your workplace or community?"
Part 7 1:48
As the session wraps up, Tonya reflects on the connections built through shared experiences and tough conversations, reminding participants that ongoing dialogue and action are key to fostering inclusivity. After most log off, one participant stays behind to share how a past Privilege Walk left them feeling emotionally adrift, without space to process, and thanks Tonya for allowing time to reflect.
Starter Question: “How would you feel if a participant stayed behind to share their personal feedback with you?
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Follow-up Questions:
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What anxieties might arise as you listen to someone compare their previous experience to yours?
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How would you ensure that this dialogue fosters trust and continued growth?”
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“As a facilitator, how do you process feedback from participants? What might you carry with you from the feedback you’ve received as you move forward in your journey of facilitating difficult conversations?”
Purpose
The purpose of this simulation is to equip participants with deeper insights and increased confidence to facilitate difficult, transformative conversations about privilege, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). Participants will learn to navigate heightened emotions and conflicts that arise in such discussions, while maintaining a balanced, empathetic approach.
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This simulation explores the following core concepts:
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Understanding Privilege: Participants will explore how privilege manifests across different dimensions, including race, gender, and class, and how these privileges impact interactions and opportunities within organizations.
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Navigating Emotional Conflict: The immersive will provide opportunities to develop skills in managing heightened emotions and tensions during DE&I dialogues, enabling participants to stay grounded and empathetic.
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Creating Safe and Brave Spaces: Participants will learn strategies for fostering environments where employees feel supported, allowing for courageous conversations that address sensitive topics without fear of judgment.
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Mitigating Anxieties and Assumptions: Participants will reflect on the common anxieties and assumptions that surface during DE&I discussions and learn techniques to address these challenges with compassion and care.
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Developing Reflective and Compassionate Communication: The immersive will guide participants in facilitating conversations that are reflective, non-judgmental, and rooted in compassion.
Debrief
After navigating the emotionally charged scenarios of the Privilege Walk and related conversations in the "Brave Spaces" simulation, it’s crucial to help participants connect their lived experience to deeper themes of privilege, equity, and inclusion. This debrief session is designed to integrate those emotional responses with a broader understanding of the dynamics of privilege, empathy, and social justice, allowing participants to internalize the lessons and apply them to their work and personal lives.​
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Seeing Privilege in Real Time:
During the Privilege Walk, participants were asked to step forward or backward based on their lived experiences, creating a stark visual representation of how privilege manifests in society. Watching the gaps widen between participants revealed how deeply embedded privilege can be, often invisible to those who benefit from it. This exercise allowed participants to feel the weight of both their own privilege and the disadvantages others face, offering a powerful illustration of systemic inequality.
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Reflective Questions:
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“What emotions did you feel as you observed the physical distance grow between yourself and others? How did that make you reconsider your assumptions about privilege in your own life?”
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“How has this experience shifted your understanding of the ways privilege can manifest in everyday life, both seen and unseen?”
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Fostering Vulnerability and Dialogue:
Throughout the simulation, participants were invited into vulnerable spaces, whether it was through witnessing the powerful emotions in the Privilege Walk or the open reflections that followed. Many expressed discomfort, surprise, or even resistance to the exercise, which reflects the natural difficulty of these conversations. Yet, it was in these moments of vulnerability that deeper understanding and empathy began to take root, as participants were asked to listen and engage with the stories of others.
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Reflective Questions:
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“How did you navigate your own emotional responses during the Privilege Walk? What surprised you about your reactions?”
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“In what ways did hearing others’ experiences change your perspective, or bring a new level of empathy to your understanding of privilege?”
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The Role of Safe and Brave Spaces:
As a facilitator, Tonya emphasized the importance of creating brave spaces where people could explore difficult topics with both honesty and respect. This balancing act—allowing for raw emotion while maintaining psychological safety—is key in DE&I work. Participants were not only encouraged to reflect on their own privilege but also to listen without judgment to the lived experiences of others. This exercise reinforced the importance of fostering environments where these types of conversations can take place regularly, without fear of blame or guilt.
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Reflective Questions:
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“How do you think creating brave spaces for difficult conversations contributes to real change? What challenges might arise in trying to foster such spaces in your own organization or community?”
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“What role do you see yourself playing in promoting ongoing, open dialogue about privilege and equity in your life? How can you ensure that you maintain empathy while still holding people accountable?”
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Staying Engaged in the Process:
One of the key challenges participants faced was staying engaged despite the discomfort, emotional intensity, or resistance they felt. This is a common obstacle in DE&I work. However, resilience—both in the facilitator and the participants—proved crucial in moving through these challenging moments to arrive at deeper insights. The ability to hold space for difficult conversations, even when emotions run high, is essential for fostering meaningful, long-term change.
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Reflective Questions:
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“What challenges did you face in staying engaged with the discomfort during this immersive? How did you overcome them?”
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“How can you build resilience in yourself and others to continue this kind of work, especially when it becomes difficult or emotionally draining?”
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Taking the Lessons into Action:
As participants reflected on the Privilege Walk and the overall immersive experience, many began to see the ways in which they could use this knowledge to create more inclusive environments in their workplaces and communities. Recognizing privilege is the first step, but action is required to dismantle the barriers that privilege creates. By the end of the simulation, participants were not only more aware of their own position but also more equipped to advocate for equity and justice.
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Reflective Questions:
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“What steps can you take to bring this awareness of privilege into your everyday life and work?”
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“How will you use what you’ve learned today to support marginalized voices and foster inclusion in your community or workplace?”
Resources
Email Invite
Set expectations for your participants with this email invitation.
Syllabus Snippet
Introduce the theoretical and practical benefits of this experiential learning tool. Copy, paste, and edit the following description into your course syllabus or workshop description.
Certified Facilitators​
Tonya Wilson
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Silvia Zhang
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Key Readings
Give discerning participants the chance to dive deep into the literature with these key readings.
Rethinking DE&I Chapter 1
Conscious Inclusion OD Review Article