Cartoon of 10 people sitting around a dining table, each with varying numbers of plates in front of them, from multiple to none

Activity: On a plate

Examine privilege and systemic inequality.

In Aotearoa, the difference between those that have plenty and those that have less is getting very wide. Inequality affects our social wellbeing, justice, education and health. Analyse this cartoon strip by Toby Morris which explores how big the problem is and the ways it is affecting us all.

Read The Table by Toby Morris below either with a friend or in a group. (Best viewed in full-screen.)

Gather ten friends and sit them around a long table, like in the cartoon. Have ten items, such as ten pens or pencils. Share out the ten items as outlined in The Table: One person will have six items. Four people will have one item each. The remaining five people will share the last item.

The ten items represent the wealth distribution in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Discuss together:

What words would each person use to describe their life?
How does it feel to be where you are at this table?
What feelings do you have about the other people at the table?
What are the big differences between each persons’ experience of life if this is the amount of money they have?

Alternatively, you might like to write a diary entry as one of the characters at the table. Compare your diary entry with someone who chose another character.

At the end of this activity discuss, write, or record your thoughts in response to these questions:

What is the cartoonist, Toby Morris, trying to tell us?
Who would you guess is more satisfied with the way things are and who would you guess is more frustrated with the way things are?
Do you think most of the people who are in power come from the end of the table with a lot of wealth, or the end of the table with not a lot of wealth. Why do you think this is? Why might it be important to think about this?
How did this inequality happen? What might we do about it?