AIBU to think that everybody should watch this? It opened my eyes

[almutasakieun]

As for where I'd be in the race, I'd probably have gotten a couple of headstarts, but by no means all.

I just thought it was interesting.

I didn't move off the start line! But I think there are so so many factors that influence people he could have gone on and on :) not sure why he picked single parents to start with. Interesting I guess

Seen this once before, recently. It’s very clever. Really made me think. I think it would be great if they showed it in every school. Along with the cup of tea/rape analog one. Both so simple. So moving. So eye opening. So easy to understand. So hard to ignore.

I don't consider myself privileged. But that video made me realise that I'm a few steps ahead of some people. A sobering thought when I'm moaning about my lot!

I saw this a long time ago and loved it. What really struck me and made me want to cheer were the black guys, far behind at the start who still started running as if their lives depended on it. There is a lot to be learnt from them and their sense of self and drive.

It’s brilliant isn’t it? It really makes you realise how hard it is that some people have so much making up to do to even reach the starting point of others. That’s something far too many people (usually the ones with the head start) are unable to understand.

I thing the video simplifies things and doesn't look at both sides of the coin. Your parents (I mean generic you) might not have divorced but they should have. Being a child of a loveless marriage is as tough, if not tougher, than having divorced parents. You might have had private tutors but experienced no real love and support from parents as they delegated everything. On paper, you family might look great but the reality is as bad as divorce and poverty and I don't see how it is a privilege.

Yes I have seen it before, it is so true I may have got a few steps but not far.
Unfortunately some folk don't consider this when they're judging others.

It's a great idea for a video. But would have been more realistic if the males took 5 more steps forward and then the white people 5 steps forward. And a couple of steps for the heterosexuals. And no mention of any kids with disabilities...they weren't even there.

Privilege is much more complex than this.

Just - as always - don't read the youtube comments. The profound denial and ignorance there is breathtaking.

My friend did this as part of her Psychology masters and it caused an uproar because the people left at the back found it deeply humiliating, as, it seems, did these guys.
The point is well made, but at the expense of the people with no advantages

I think the point is excellent...so many people act smug and superior when in fact they are privileged without doing a single thing to earn it.

Interesting.
good point about the winner doing something about the inequality.

I found it very moving and will be showing to my dds and sharing. Thanks op

He addressed all his messages to the privileged though. The lesson was for them. Its as though the others were just there for the point to be made.

Brilliant video. I agree I'd have changed the questions. Male 2 steps forward, white 2 steps forward, parents married 2 steps forward, working family, private education and so on.

The lesson is to lie and you'll be in with a better chance than simply following the rules. That's what I'm going to take from this video.

It's a good way of explaining the basics of privilege but nobody wants to admit they've had a headstart or had it easier than others. "yes I went to private school, don't have physical disabilities, grew up with wealthy parents and had exposure to a range of experiences and support others can't easily afford. But my parents fought so I'm not privileged"

It's more complicated than in the video that's for sure.

It would be even more realistic if half the "privileged" one didn't bother to start because they don't need the $100
And half the under-privileged didn't bother to start because they get their $100 from the state

and half of the remaining privileged and under-privileged were running like crazy because they are both ultra driver, either because they have been raised to always win, or because they want what they never had.

Everybody should watch it to see what a simplistic and patronising view of things it is.

I have shown this in assembly for Year 9 pupils.

Simplistic and patronising view. Also seems to aim to make those who have had opportunities feel guilty - why one earth should you applogise for that!?

Privilege is much more complex than this.
Yep. This.

We do this on some courses we run at work. Different criteria sometimes but similar message.

It's not about expecting people to apologise for their lives at all. It's a technique to illustrate the power of circumstances and background.

This is very US centric where race advantage is more binary. In the UK, being a working class boy with a single mum in a deprived urban postcode is hard to overcome - whether that boy is white or black.
I find that a hard watch because the kids at the back look uncomfortable and one is seen jogging away. Did they sign up knowing they’d be called out?

Thought provoking

I'm going to watch this later.

Hmm, I think it makes the point very effectively but I'm not sure about showing it in schools. It could be very upsetting/humiliating for the least privileged kids and I'm not sure that it really helps to tell them how much of a head start they have missed out on. The lesson is much more effective for those who are privileged and may not realise it.

I agree that issues like sex, race, disability and sexuality should have been addressed too. That would have given a more rounded picture.