ETHNICITY AND RACE
KEY TERMS
Immigration: the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country. Ethnic group: membership based on one’s national origin or the national origin of one’s ancestors when they immigrated to the United States Race: the concept of dividing people into populations or groups on the basis of various sets of physical characteristics Ethnocentrism: the view that one’s cultural group is superior to all others Multiculturalism: the condition in which different cultural groups can maintain their unique cultural identities while participating equally in the dominant culture |
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
Who I Am Poems
This activity begins an active introspective process while continuing to provide opportunities for individuals to make connections with each other. Participants write short poems, starting each line with "I am," encouraging them to describe in their own words who they are and what's salient to their identities.
Objectives:
In any attempt to increase awareness and encourage self-development, it is crucial to engage participants in activities that call for introspection and self-reflection. It is also important to provide opportunities for participants to make connections across, and even within, identity borders. The "Who I Am" activity can provide a non-threatening starting point for encouraging self-reflective thought and introspection. It is a safe way for participants to think about and share the influences that have shaped their identities. Also, it continues the connection-making process as participants find unexpected similarities and differences between themselves and others in the group.
This activity also can be an excellent closing activity, allowing folks to re-connect at a self-defined and human level at the end of an experience in which they are discussing difficult issues.
Instructions:
Ask participants to take ten to fifteen minutes to write a poem called "Who I Am." Instruct them that the only rule is that each line should begin with the words "I am..." Leave it open to their interpretation as much as possible, but suggest that they can, if they wish, include statements about where they're from regionally, ethnically, religiously, and so on; memories from different points in their lives; interests and hobbies; mottos or credos; favorite phrases; family traditions and customs; and whatever else defines who they are. Be sure to let them know that they will be sharing their poems.
Source: http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/activities/poetry.html
STRATEGIES FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS:
1. Find positive role models that students can look up to and admire from their own race.
2. Have family discussions about current events about racism and teach children the importance of diversity
3. Use literature written by culturally diverse authors
Who I Am Poems
This activity begins an active introspective process while continuing to provide opportunities for individuals to make connections with each other. Participants write short poems, starting each line with "I am," encouraging them to describe in their own words who they are and what's salient to their identities.
Objectives:
In any attempt to increase awareness and encourage self-development, it is crucial to engage participants in activities that call for introspection and self-reflection. It is also important to provide opportunities for participants to make connections across, and even within, identity borders. The "Who I Am" activity can provide a non-threatening starting point for encouraging self-reflective thought and introspection. It is a safe way for participants to think about and share the influences that have shaped their identities. Also, it continues the connection-making process as participants find unexpected similarities and differences between themselves and others in the group.
This activity also can be an excellent closing activity, allowing folks to re-connect at a self-defined and human level at the end of an experience in which they are discussing difficult issues.
Instructions:
Ask participants to take ten to fifteen minutes to write a poem called "Who I Am." Instruct them that the only rule is that each line should begin with the words "I am..." Leave it open to their interpretation as much as possible, but suggest that they can, if they wish, include statements about where they're from regionally, ethnically, religiously, and so on; memories from different points in their lives; interests and hobbies; mottos or credos; favorite phrases; family traditions and customs; and whatever else defines who they are. Be sure to let them know that they will be sharing their poems.
Source: http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/activities/poetry.html
STRATEGIES FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS:
1. Find positive role models that students can look up to and admire from their own race.
2. Have family discussions about current events about racism and teach children the importance of diversity
3. Use literature written by culturally diverse authors
This book is a celebration of all the things that make us unique and special. Fold-outs, flaps, and wheels gives each reader an interactive experience. At the end of the book, a mirror allows children to look at themselves, along with a page to record their own special characteristics.
Damon, Emma. All Kinds of People. London: Tango Books, 1995. Print. |
The word black is commonly used with negative connotation, such as a black eye, being the black sheep of the family, and wearing black to a funeral. This illustrated story is about Montsho, a young African American boy who asks his grandpa about his skin color. Montsho learns that black is beautiful, just like all the other colors.
Holman, Sandy Lynne. Grandpa, Is Everything Black Bad?. California: Culture Coop, 1995. Print. |
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE, CONTACT THE FOLLOWING:
Hispanic Center
501 Washington Street Reading, PA 19603 Tel: (610) 376-3748 http://www.centrohispano.org/ |
Pennsylvania Interbranch Commission
for Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Fairness U.S. Steel Tower, Suite 4830 600 Grant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Tel: (412) 261-0679 http://www.pa-interbranchcommission.com/ |
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
101 S. 2nd Street, Suite 300 Harrisburg, PA 17101 Tel: (717) 787-4410 http://www.phrc.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/phrc_home/18970 |