Are you curious about who has privilege and who doesn’t, or how privilege shapes advantages and disadvantages? Perhaps you’re wondering how privilege across identities ties into systems of oppression or seeking to understand core human identities like race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality.
In a world shaped by interconnected systems of power, privilege, and oppression, understanding your positionality—the unique combination of identities and experiences that define how you navigate the world—is essential. The Positionality Reference Guide is a high-level tool to summarize and frame some of the most common social and cultural identities around privilege and oppression. An intersectional lens is used throughout the guide to explain how overlapping identities, such as race, gender, and class, interact to shape individual experiences and systemic dynamics.
While it doesn’t deliver exhaustive details, it is an excellent starting point for reflection and awareness, helping readers begin their journey toward understanding positionality and systemic dynamics. To deepen your understanding of systems, explore our 4-I Framework for analyzing oppression, and read Magic Mirror: Nine Practices to Be a Better Leader, Colleague, Educator, Neighbor, Friend, and More.
The downloadable reference guide at the end of this page is an excerpt from Magic Mirror Workbook: A Reflective Journey through the Positionality Prism’s Nine Practices. It is an excellent resource for educators and facilitators teaching privilege, oppression, and positionality.
Here’s what’s inside the guide:Â
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Dimensions of Identity Table
Outlines 25 identity dimensions, such as race, gender, class, and ability, with examples of advantages and disadvantages that reflect privilege and systemic barriers. -
Definitions
Offers 38 essential terms, including racism, sexism, classism, and ableism, to clarify key concepts. -
Core Concepts
Summarizes foundational ideas around identity, such as how race and ethnicity intersect, what it means to navigate gender norms, the diverse experiences of ability, the role of class in shaping opportunity, the spectrum of sexuality, and the complexities of immigration and citizenship.Â
Why Positionality Matters
Understanding positionality isn’t just about identifying where you stand—it’s about recognizing the systems that shape our experiences and those of others. This awareness enables us to challenge stereotypes, disrupt inequities, and build stronger, more inclusive communities. As the Positionality Reference Guide emphasizes, identities are dynamic, evolving, and multi-faceted. Learning to navigate this complexity is a vital skill for both personal and professional growth.
Our Positionality Articles and Resources
Take the Next Step
Learning about your positionality is just the beginning. Pair the insights from the Positionality Reference Guide with hands-on experiences by:
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Read Magic Mirror
Explore the concept of positionality through an engaging narrative that blends storytelling with lessons about personhood, perception, and power. -
Complete the Magic Mirror Workbook
Reflect on your identities and biases using guided exercises designed to foster deeper understanding and accountability. -
Join a Workshop or Course
Dive into practical strategies to apply this knowledge in your life and work, whether you're an educator, leader, or lifelong learner. Make sure you are on our mailing list!
Download the Guide
Ready to begin your journey toward understanding and action? Download the Positionality Reference Guide PDF and start exploring today. Together, we can create spaces where everyone can thrive.
Download the Positionality Reference Guide
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