Open Mind GamesOpen Mind GamesLessons in Tolerance

Session 3

A mind is like a parachute, it works best when open.

Open MindsOpen Minds• Prejudice is a not problem of the past. • Incidents of prejudice and discrimination

occur every day.– Called hurtful names– Excluded from participating– Unfairly paid less– Unfairly excluded from jobs, neighborhoods,

bank loans, educational opportunities, social events and clubs.

– Are attacked and beaten– Homes, places of worship, or cemeteries are

vandalized

Open MindsOpen Minds• If we are to have a just society, it is up to

each of us to take a stand against such unfair practices and attitudes.

Open MindsOpen Minds• Stereotype=

– Oversimplified generalization about a group of people. • When people say that all members of a specific

nationality, religion, race or gender are "cheap," "lazy," "criminal" or "dumb," they are expressing stereotypes.

– To label an entire group based on the actions of some is to engage in stereotyping. • All groups have both cheap and generous

individuals. All groups have individuals who commit crimes.

Open MindsOpen Minds• What is the impact of stereotyping?

• What was it like to think about stereotypes of the groups?

• What was it like to hear stereotypes of cultures or groups to which you belong?

• What can we learn from this? Why do you think we did this exercise?

i.What was it like to think about stereotypes of the groups? Hard, easy, fun, were you laughing, did it make you sad?ii.What was it like to hear stereotypes of cultures or groups to which you belong?iii.What can we learn from this? Why do you think we did this exercise?

What is the impact of stereotyping?

Open MindsOpen Minds• Everyone notices differences. This is

natural and appropriate and, by itself, not a problem.

• But when negative values are attached to those differences, problems occur.

Open MindsOpen Minds• Discrimination =

– When people act on the basis of their prejudices or stereotypes, they are discriminating.

– Discrimination may mean putting other people down, not allowing them to participate in activities, restricting their access to work or to live in certain neighborhoods, or denying them something they are entitled to by right and law.

Bias

Individual Acts of Prejudice

Discrimination

Bias-Motivated Violence

Genocide

Pyramid of Hate2005 Anti-Defamation League

Pyramid of Hate

It’s All in a NameIt’s All in a Name• Name-calling? I didn't mean anything!

What is the difference between…

Being Mean-spirited /Hurtful

And

Being Naïve of the impact

(I was just kidding)

________________________

Good natured teasing

And

Hurtful teasing

How to take a standHow to take a stand

1. Assume good intent and explain the impact.

2. Ask a question

3. Interrupt and redirect

4. Broaden to universal human behavior

5. Make it individual

6. Say “ouch!”

Anti-Defamation League, 2009

A guided imagery lessonA guided imagery lesson• What would it be like to be in a school

where no one calls anyone a name?

Post-intervention SurveyPost-intervention Survey