Training for Moderators
Canadian Council for Refugees
Power, Privilege, Inclusion,
Powerlessness, Oppression, Exclusion
• Power and privilege are part of the social structures
in which we all participate, and we all are at times
advantaged or disadvantaged by these power
imbalances.
• We are all affected by power imbalances, sometimes
negatively and sometimes positively.
• Power imbalances create situations of privilege that
inherently favour some and disadvantage others
• Privilege that negatively affects those not in a
position of power is oppression.
• Much of the power of privilege comes from its
invisibility – it seems normal and even natural.
• Different power imbalances cause forms of
oppression that interlock to make individuals’
experiences different.
• The oppression may be felt as negative
attitudes towards her/his skin colour, religion,
ethnic identity, gender, sexual orientation,
language skills, education, physical limitations,
etc.
• Systemic responses to individuals affect entire
groups within our society
• Exclusion is the result of power imbalances.
Examples of privilege leading to oppression:
Area of
Privilege
Colour
Gender
Who is
Examples of how you are privileged.
privileged
?
White
Men
English
Language as a first
language
A whole array of benefits in this society
including:
Being given the benefit of the doubt
Not subjected to racial profiling
You benefit from a whole array of privileges
throughout society. E.g. political and
corporate leaders, higher wage levels…
You are able to understand and express
yourself without any special effort. You
may presume that French-speakers should
make the effort to speak English. Believe
that newcomers should learn English in
order to participate.
Sexual
Orientation
Heterosexual
You don’t fear that your sexual
orientation may be discovered.
Religion
Christians
Christianity is reflected all around us.
Physical
Ability
Able bodied
No need to worry about how you will
get to the meeting room or reach the
microphone. You will be able to see and
hear what takes place.
Experience in Long
the CCR
experience
You know how to move forward an
issue within the organization.
Knowledge of People with
refugee and
lots of
immigration
knowledge
law and
policies
You can understand some points more
quickly than others, and may assume
that you don’t need to listen to others.
and
involvement
Civil servants are welcome too!
• At a CCR consultation,
government reps may feel in the
minority.
• Criticism of policies must not
undermine respectful attitudes
towards all individuals.
Responses to Oppression in Workshops
• At all times, be aware of power dynamics and
difference, and be prepared to support the
person(s) who is marginalized/has less power.
• Address a concern/issue immediately, and
preferably during the session.
• Refer to ground rules and the CCR antioppression policy.
• If necessary, use a ‘timeout’.
• The complaints procedure is available if
necessary.