The Amazing Immigration & Privilege Race

At our school, fostering understanding, empathy, and curiosity is just as important as instilling an excellent academic base in our learners. 

To that end, the Latinos in the Lehigh Valley course participated in the "Amazing Immigration & Privilege Race." In this activity, students each randomly drew a card with a fictional identity described on it. As different scenarios were called out to the group, students stepped forward or backward due to the opportunities or challenges a person with the identity on their card might face.

Identity Card Examples:

Scenario Examples:

• If you are a woman, take a step backward
• If you are an indigenous Latino take a step backward
• If you speak only Spanish take a small step forward 
• If you have a high school diploma, take a step forward; if college, take 2; if graduate school, 3
• If you speak fluent English with no discernable accent, take three steps forward

Once all scenarios were called, students raced (about a 50-yard dash), starting from wherever the opportunities or challenges ended up positioning them. This activity served as a metaphor for the support systems that exist (or do not) for immigrants and native-born peoples from all walks of life, helping students to better understand how privilege functions within our society.  

Afterward, students regrouped in class to reflect and journal about the activity, while also expanding on their knowledge by reading articles and studying immigration data from over the last few decades.