Contents
Actions:
Introducing Identity: “My Fullest Name”
Understanding Privilege and Systems of Power: “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack”
Gender and Sexuality Workshop: Creating Gender-Free Nouns
Race and Ethnicity: Diversity Profile
Intersection Identity and Privilege: Crossing the Line
Closing and Recommended Resources
Introduction
This toolkit is supposed for anybody who feels there’s a lack of productive discourse round problems with range and the function of identification in social relationships, each on a micro (particular person) and macro (communal) degree. Maybe you’re a instructor, youth group facilitator, pupil affairs personnel or handle a crew that works with an underserved inhabitants. Coaching of this type can present historic context in regards to the politics of identification and the dynamics of energy and privilege or assist construct better self-awareness.
The next actions are meant for teams of 10 to 60 individuals. For bigger teams, you possibly can break into a number of periods with further facilitators to make sure the conversations and actions stay targeted. The variety toolkit outlined right here could also be used as a tenet and will be modified to raised suit your group’s distinctive wants.
A observe on facilitators: Facilitators must be effectively versed within the subjects and themes we can be discussing, however they don’t have to be consultants. This workshop is organized as a preferred training exercise the place nearly all of the outcomes are realized from the experiences and data of the people collaborating slightly than a instructor/pupil relationship.
Facilitator Sensitivity
Facilitators can be experiencing and addressing the emotions that include confronting members’ notions of identification, privilege, race and sexuality. Some members could also be required to attend this workshop (by way of work or faculty, and many others.), so facilitators must be clear that members are there as a result of these are points that have an effect on everybody and that there won’t be private judgment of anybody’s emotions a few explicit concern. Facilitators ought to remind members that:
- They won’t be lectured or instructed what to consider.
- This isn’t an indoctrination.
- It is a participatory workshop that’s meant to assist information all members to raised understanding and to handle troublesome points.
Privateness
Facilitators ought to emphasize that what’s shared throughout the workshop is personal and confidential. Members can speak about how the workshop affected them personally and what they realized usually, however they need to respect the privateness of the non-public data of the opposite members.
What Is Social Justice? Setting a Stage for Dialogue
Earlier than starting, it’s vital that everybody have a primary understanding of two core ideas associated to privilege and identification. This can enable everybody to start out the conversations on the identical web page and be sure that the members have a basis upon which to construct future data.
The primary core idea is tradition, which is:
- The built-in sample of human data, perception and habits that relies upon upon the capability for studying and transmitting data to succeeding generations.
- A set of shared attitudes, values, objectives and practices that characterizes a bunch of people or an establishment or group.
The second core idea is identification, which is:
- Distinguishing traits.
- The situation of being the identical with one thing described or asserted.
Everybody Has Many Identities
Age, gender, spiritual or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and socioeconomic standing are all identities. Some identities are issues individuals can see simply (like race or assumed gender), whereas different identities are internalized and should not at all times simple to see (like a incapacity, socioeconomic standing or training degree). There are two sorts of identities that have to be outlined with a purpose to spark a dialogue on social justice. The primary sort offers with identities which might be a part of a majority standing — or “agent” — whereas the second consists of identities which might be a part of the minority standing — or “goal.”
Agent: Members of dominant social teams privileged by delivery or acquisition who knowingly or unknowingly exploit and reap unfair benefit over members of the goal teams.
Goal: Members of social identification teams who’re discriminated towards, marginalized, disenfranchised, oppressed, exploited by an oppressor and oppressor’s system of establishments with out identification aside from the goal group, and compartmentalized in outlined roles.
After members perceive the distinction between agent and goal teams, the facilitator can start a dialogue on oppression. The important thing options of oppression are:
- An agent group has the ability to outline and identify actuality, and decide what’s regular, actual and proper.
- Differential and unequal therapy is institutionalized and systematic.
- Psychological colonization of the goal group happens by way of socializing the oppressed to internalize their oppressed situation.
- The goal group’s tradition, language and historical past is misrepresented, discounted or eradicated, and the dominant group tradition is imposed.
- Oppression (the “ism’s”) occurs in any respect ranges, bolstered by societal norms, institutional biases, interpersonal interactions and particular person beliefs.
- Particular person — emotions, beliefs, values.
- Interpersonal — actions, behaviors and language.
- Institutional — authorized system, training system, public coverage, hiring practices, media pictures.
- Societal/Cultural — collective concepts about what’s “proper.”
However keep in mind:
- Most people are each a goal and an agent of oppression, on account of:
- Internalized subordination.
- Internalized domination.
- Due to these internalized components, people have “unearned privilege.”
When the facilitator talks about these ideas with the group, it’s useful to start out with an understanding that everybody skilled being a goal or agent sooner or later of their lives. This helps create a dialogue of understanding. This isn’t to say that some goal statuses are extra salient (for instance, individuals can see I’m a girl, or a Black lady, earlier than they even communicate with me) and others could also be simpler to hide (for instance, if I’m lesbian). However every creates a burden on the person and every has its personal set of challenges to beat.
Communal Agreements
Earlier than initiating any exercise, it’s important that the group builds communal agreements. Quite than naming these “guidelines” which might be then positioned upon the group, we are going to name these “agreements” as a result of these are the rules constructed by the group that every one members comply with comply with throughout the course of the workshop. As soon as an settlement has been put ahead, the facilitator ought to then ask for a definition of what that settlement means to make sure that there’s a communal language. Under are a number of prompt agreements.
- Respect. Although this time period is used extensively, “respect” means various things to completely different individuals. Facilitators ought to ask their crew what respect means to them.
- “I” Statements. It’s important to attract a line between particular person expertise and communal expertise to stop alienating somebody whose expertise could also be completely different. When a member of the neighborhood speaks of non-public expertise or emotions, it’s of utmost significance that he/she/they makes use of the “I” assertion. Facilitators ought to encourage the participant to take duty for his/her personal expertise slightly than projecting it onto fellow members.
- One voice, all ears. When one particular person speaks, everybody else listens.
- Confidentiality. Every participant throughout the neighborhood must really feel that he/she/they’ll belief that what’s shared with friends won’t be shared outdoors of the group. Although members are inspired to debate what they’ve realized and share reflections on conversations, it is very important preserve names and particular person experiences personal.
Icebreaker: Respect Exercise
Supply: Critical Multicultural Pavilion
Ask members to seek out somebody within the room they don’t know and make an introduction. Speak for 5 to 10 minutes about respect. What does it imply to you to “present respect?” How do you present respect to others? After the allotted time, ask all members to take a seat and open the dialogue. How did individuals outline respect? What had been a number of the core ideas mentioned?
Widespread responses will possible embody:
- The “Golden Rule.”
- Trying individuals within the eyes.
- Honesty.
- Accepting/appreciating somebody’s concepts, even if you don’t agree with them.
All responses are worthy of reflection when it comes to their cultural and hegemonic influences. Ask members the place their concepts of respect come from and whom they’re meant to guard. If the group raises any of the frequent responses above, problem them to reply the next questions:
- Does everybody actually wish to be handled the identical manner you wish to be handled?
- Is eye contact throughout dialog respectful in each tradition?
- If somebody’s concepts are oppressive, ought to we nonetheless respect them?
The purpose of the dialogue is to replicate critically on assumptions and socializations relating to respect. The purpose is to not agree and to study from one another’s variations.
This exercise helps to determine a foundation of respect throughout the group, serving to the members take the primary steps towards creating and sustaining a constructive dialogue of social justice and fairness. On the very least, members meet somebody new and trade concepts with that particular person. The group additionally will get its first have a look at the similarities and variations between members, doubtlessly in ways in which replicate privilege and energy.
Exercise One: Introduction Id
Definition
Everybody has a private and social identification. Private identities embody a person’s identify, distinctive traits, historical past, character and different traits that make one completely different from others. Social identification consists of affinities one has with different individuals, values and norms that one accepts, and the methods one has realized to behave in social settings.
Exercise
“My Fullest Identify” Supply: Awareness Activities, Critical Multicultural Pavilion
Goal
The next exercise is especially helpful when working with members who don’t know each other very effectively. The purpose of this exercise is to heat up members to sharing about themselves and begin revealing a bit about every participant’s background.
Supplies
Markers and 8-by-10-inch sheets of paper folded horizontally.
Directions
Write out your fullest identify and inform your story. On the again of the piece of paper write the highest three identities you are feeling closest to. The facilitator encourages members to go across the circle to share any meanings, significance, tradition, vital ancestors and the highest three identities they maintain dearest. Everybody can have an opportunity to share and be heard by the group.
Steered questions if members need assistance getting began:
- Who gave you your identify? Why that identify?
- Have you learnt the ethnic origin of your identify?
- Do you’ve any nicknames? In that case, how did you get them?
- What’s your most well-liked identify?
Facilitators ought to encourage college students to be inventive. Make it clear that it’s acceptable to put in writing poetry, checklist adjectives that describe them, embody humor, and many others.
In case your group is giant, break into numerous small teams of 5 – 6 to ensure everybody has a chance to share their story. Ask for volunteers to get the group began and inform members they’ll share their tales from reminiscence, or learn them.
Facilitator Notes
- Some people will embody private data of their tales and could also be reticent to learn them. Typically it’s simplest for facilitators to share their tales first — making your self susceptible will make others extra comfy doing the identical.
- Enable time for each participant to share (whether or not or not it’s with the entire group or with their small group).
Dialogue
When everybody has shared, ask members the way it felt to share their tales. Why is that this exercise vital? What did you study?
Exercise Two: Understanding Privilege and Methods of Energy
Definition
Privilege is a proper or exemption from legal responsibility or responsibility granted as a particular profit or benefit. Oppression is the results of using institutional privilege and energy, whereby one particular person or group advantages on the expense of one other.
Exercise
“Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack”
Goal
The target of this exercise is to confront entrenched programs of energy and privilege, and determine frequent conditions when privilege just isn’t acknowledged, to the detriment of the deprived and oppressed.
Learn
Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, by Peggy McIntosh (PDF, 94 KB)
Watch and Hear
YouTube clip: Tim Wise: On White Privilege
Dialogue
What’s privilege? All of us have privileges. What are yours? Had been you shocked by any of the privileges you present in your invisible knapsack?
Exercise Three: Gender and Sexuality
Definition
Gender is a socially constructed idea of “applicable” qualities and expectations surrounding masculinity and femininity. This shouldn’t be confused with the organic female and male sexes.
Group Definition
Have the group describe what they consider to be the definition of the phrases “gender” and “sexuality.”
Exercise
“Creating Gender-Free Nouns” Supply: Writing for Change, Teaching Tolerance (PDF, 1 MB)
Goal
The target of this exercise is to rethink male-gendered nouns that we think about “generic.” Producing gender-free nouns and pronouns will assist members incorporate extra inclusive language of their every day speech and writing.
Directions
Break members into small teams and provides them a printout of the chart under. Instruct members to transform the suffixes of the nouns into gender-free, inclusive phrases by altering the noun root phrase or substituting a non-gender-specific root phrase from one other language. Inform members that since male endings are so pervasive, it’s OK to invent new phrases by changing the endings of present phrases with one thing non-gendered.
Dialogue Questions
- How do the adjustments within the phrases’ constructions change the connotation?
- How does familiarity have an effect on our notion of a phrase’s correctness? For instance, do we predict the phrases “teachman” or “runman” are extra right than “instructor” or “runner”?
The facilitator ought to ask the next questions of the group whereas additionally encouraging them to share private experiences that talk to their level. What are traits of what society believes a [woman/man/girl/boy] must be? What are the norms for look/habits? What occurs when somebody falls outdoors of this norm? How do the phrases we use affect the way in which we take into consideration sure professions?
Exercise 4: Race and Ethnicity
Definition
Race is a social building that has actual penalties and results. Race is colloquially used to discuss with an individual’s pores and skin shade, faith or space of origin (e.g., Black, Jewish or African). Technically, nevertheless, race relies on nationwide origin, sociocultural teams and self-identification. The U.S. authorities, together with the Census Bureau and Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, doesn’t try and determine race in accordance with biology, anthropology or genetics. Non secular perception just isn’t thought-about a race, however generally is a consider figuring out one’s sociocultural group. (For a full clarification of how every racial class is outlined, discuss with the U.S. Census About Race page). In a historic context, race has performed a big half in how our society has advanced, and it shapes the way in which we see others and the way we expertise our lives. (For extra on race from a historic perspective, learn “A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America,” by Ronald Takaki.)
Exercise
“Variety Profile” Supply: College Committee for Diversity, Equity and Affirmative Action
Goal
The target of this exercise is to assist members take inventory of the multicultural range of their lives. It ought to assist members get a transparent picture of how numerous or homogenous their environment are and determine methods to enhance their publicity to multiculturalism every day.
Directions
Fill within the applicable bins:
Exercise 5: Intersectional Id and Privilege
Exercise
Crossing The Line
Goal
The aim of this exercise is to discover the variety among the many members of our neighborhood. How an individual identifies can have an effect on many sides of his or her life. We are going to use this exercise to get to know each other on a deeper degree. What are our values, backgrounds, and visual and invisible labels? This exercise requires everybody to step outdoors of his or her consolation zone. Members being susceptible might help the group study extra in regards to the identities they don’t share.
Directions
Have all members line up in a straight line going through the facilitator. If the room is just too small to have every participant standing shoulder to shoulder, an alternate is to have the group stand in a circle and step into the circle. The facilitator ought to clarify that they’ll learn an announcement. If the assertion describes you, then silently step throughout the road. Everybody ought to quietly discover who stepped throughout the road and who didn’t. After a second, the facilitator will thank those that stepped ahead and can then have everybody step again in line.
- I’m a girl.
- I’m a person.
- I determine as transgender.
- I’m shut with most of my household.
- I determine myself as Jewish.
- I determine myself as Buddhist.
- I determine myself as Christian.
- I determine myself as Muslim.
- I determine myself as Hindu, Sikh.
- I determine myself as Mormon.
- I determine myself as Baha’i’.
- I determine myself as agnostic or atheist.
- I determine myself as religious, however not spiritual.
- I’ve attended a spiritual or religious service that’s not of my very own spiritual and religious identification.
- I determine as a citizen.
- I determine as an immigrant.
- I determine as undocumented or have an in depth member of the family who’s.
- I had “sufficient” rising up as a baby (nevertheless you outline “sufficient”).
- I had “greater than sufficient” rising up as a baby (nevertheless you outline “sufficient”).
- I had “lower than sufficient” rising up as a baby (nevertheless you outline “sufficient”).
- I’ve felt responsible by the amount of cash my household has or by the scale of my home or by what sources or belongings my household has (both an excessive amount of or too little).
- I’ve skilled the dying of an in depth member of the family or shut buddy.
- I’ve or somebody in my household has a bodily incapacity.
- I’ve a hidden incapacity (bodily or studying).
- I’m comfy with my physique.
- I’ve felt ashamed of myself due to my physique, my mind or training, or my household.
- I determine myself as Black or African-American.
- I determine myself as Asian or Asian-American.
- I determine myself as white or European.
- I determine myself as Pacific Islander.
- I determine myself as biracial, triracial, mixed-race or of mixed heritage.
- I’ve needed to verify “different” on varieties that ask my race or ethnicity.
- I’ve an in depth buddy who’s an individual of shade.
- I really feel comfy speaking about race and ethnicity with people who find themselves not of my race.
- Somebody in my prolonged household (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) lives in my home with my household.
- I or somebody in my household is LGBTQ.
- I do know somebody who’s LGBTQ.
- I’m an ally to LGBTQ individuals.
- I or somebody in my household has had an issue with alcoholism or drug abuse.
- I’ve felt discriminated towards on the idea of my gender; race or ethnicity; faith; means or incapacity; sexual orientation; or socio-economic standing.
- I’ve felt guilt due to my gender; race or ethnicity; faith; means or incapacity; sexual orientation; or socioeconomic standing.
Dialogue
- What was your response to this train? How did you are feeling afterward?
- What did it really feel wish to step into the circle? What was it like to not be within the circle?
- What did you uncover about these round you?
- Had been you shocked about something? Did anybody break a stereotype for you?
- Had been there questions you had been hoping wouldn’t be requested? Any you want had been requested?
- How may such points/components have an effect on your relationships?
- What did you study your self or what did you consider that you simply’ve by no means thought of earlier than?
- What function does privilege play on this? What function do satisfaction and disgrace play?
Exercise Six: Recap and Closing Exercise
This toolkit was designed to handle human points that everybody faces and assist members acknowledge how they’ll higher perceive and work towards fixing, or at the very least enhancing, these points. Members had been typically compelled to confront socialized and entrenched notions of privilege, identification and social justice. Something that was troublesome to confront throughout the coaching can be much more troublesome to confront in follow, but when these had been simply solvable points, they wouldn’t be points for lengthy. Members ought to really feel higher outfitted with newfound data and empathy, and ready to use the teachings they realized in their very own lives and communities.
Exercise
Affirmation Mingle Supply: 350.org
Goal
To follow giving constructive suggestions and to have members go away the workshop feeling energized.
Directions
Have members mingle randomly in a big group after which instruct them to cease and share with the particular person in entrance of them a technique by which that particular person “shined” throughout the workshop. Repeat a number of instances so that every particular person will get suggestions and help from completely different individuals within the group. If there are an odd variety of members, the facilitator ought to handle the odd particular person out every time.
Closing
Finishing this coaching just isn’t the tip, however merely the start. Hopefully, this toolkit has helped to create new understanding amongst your members. People ought to have realized about their very own identification and of these round them, in addition to the implications of socially constructed labels and stereotypes of a person’s expertise. These enthusiastic about this sort of work could also be enthusiastic about a profession in social work, facilitation, advocacy or sociology. On the finish of the coaching, facilitators must be ready to supply further sources for members who wish to study extra about problems with identification, energy and privilege. Under we cite a number of sources that can assist you get began.
Advisable Assets
Assets for Extra Actions
Quotation for this content material: The MSW@USC, the online Master of Social Work program on the College of Southern California.
