Community Organizing for Social Justice Teach-Out

A. Stereotypes and Discrimination

Stereotypes are oversimplified generalizations about groups which are perpetuated by the cycle of socialization. Unless they are challenged, however, they can become normal and people behave as if they are. What have you heard about the following?

Write the following words as headers on separate sheets of notepaper. If in a group, post the words on to separate sheets of newsprint and post around the room.

• Write what you have heard about the group either individually on notepaper or as a group on the newsprint.
 
• When the writing is done, reflect individually or in a group, read aloud the words on each newsprint.
 
• Discuss with others:

• What stands out to you? Are there any surprises?
 
• Are there stereotypes about a group to which you belong? How does it feel to see that in print?
 
• Is there an experience with being stereotyped that you would like to share?
 
• Is there a time in which you have challenged a stereotype and if so, how did it feel?
 
• Select one stereotype to discuss with others, brainstorm some specific actions which people might take and share them here.

Everyday Discrimination

Discrimination is when people receive unjust or prejudicial treatment because of their race, sex, age, or other identity with which they were born, for example:

• African-American students are told that they cannot hang out in the hallways.
 
• Latin youth are targeted because of their national origin.
 
• Muslim girls are told to remove their hijab.
 
• Arab immigrants are stereotyped in school.
 
• A girl feels excluded from sitting at a table because she is overweight.

• Have you experienced, observed, or heard about discrimination in your school or community and, if so, where?
 
• What is one step you might take to challenge discrimination?

Pride and Discrimination