Prejudice
 



Kids Can... Take a Stand

Against Prejudice & Discrimination
 

 

 

Sometimes people are mean to those who seem different.   Maybe they think everybody has to act a certain way to be cool.  Or maybe they feel scared or angry about people who are different (about the things they do, the way they look).   Treating people unkindly because they are different is called prejudice.  

Being the victim of prejudice doesn't feel good.  Being stared at or called names (or being left out of the fun) hurts.  Being the victim of prejudice can make a person feel very sad and very angry.  And, sometimes prejudice leads to terrible violence.  People have been killed just for having skin that is darker (or lighter) than another group's -- or for having a religion that another group doesn't like.  Prejudice has created a lot of sadness in the world.

But just as bad, prejudice keeps us from working together to get things done.  If we can't get along, we can't cooperate, and we can't help each other, or share our ideas.  How can we work together to protect our Earth if we can't be respectful of one another's differences? 

What's more the great thing about being different is that being different can help us come up with ideas that no one has ever had before!  Maybe the person who could solve the climate crisis or invent a really efficient solar car is that boy or girl you know that is "different".   So who cares if his hair cut is weird or her socks don't match.  Does that stuff even matter?

Besides, if you think about it... EVERYBODY is different!   In fact, the really sad part about bullying is that it makes so many people believe that they should pretend to be the same.  And to feel really bad about who they really are...    

So... what if we decide to see our differences  as gifts to share with each other?  And what if we could try to focus on what we have in common -- on the dreams and hopes that we share.  Maybe we could learn to work & play together more easily-- and have more fun!   

 

 


Thailand

 

 

People can be different in all kinds of ways. But differences can be fun!


Ecuador

     

When we do get upset by differences, the important thing to focus on is not "who's way is right", but how can we live together peacefully:

        

  1. One way to help us live peacefully together... is to look for the good in other people and in their way of living -- this is also called "appreciating diversity".  

     

  2.  Another is to learn positive ways to cope with our own strong feelings, the feelings we have when we disagree with other people. Feelings such as fear, shame, or anger can cloud our thinking, and influence us to make choices we later regret.

     

  3. We can also learn how to resolve conflicts -- this means, working out our fights and disagreements without hurting each other.  And without hitting or name calling or trying to embarrass the other person.

       

  4. Also, we must learn how we can get our needs met and be safe -- so that we can feel okay -- while letting other people be just who they are.

      

  5. Finally, we must all make the commitment not to hurt each other (or ourselves) for being different. We must always remember that there is a better way.

     

 

 

 

 

Links

 

     

Resolving Conflicts /
Positive Ways To Cope With Feelings

 

Appreciating Diversity:

 

 

Make A Commitment Not To Hurt Each Other

 

    Excerpts From Slave Narratives

      First hand accounts from slaves and slave traders. Edited by Steven Mintz, University of Houston. Sobering food for thought about where prejudice has sometimes led our species.

Prejudice And Tolerance

Visit this The More You Know site to see video clips on this topic by famous television personalities like Kristen Johnston & Joseph Gordon-Levitt (3rd Rock From The Sun), Megan Mullaly & Sean Hayes (Will & Grace), and Alex Kingston (ER).  Be sure to check out their information on bullying as well.

 

     

 

Resources for Parents, Teachers, & Older Teens

           

      Understanding Prejudice 

        Excellent collection of links relating to prejudice reduction programs, projects, ideas, and resources.

       

What to Tell Your Child About
Prejudice and Discrimination

 

 

History isn't always pretty.  For help teaching your students about some of the uglier moments in human history, check out these top notch lesson plans and resources.   Facing Ourselves is a premier educational organization that aims to teach young people about the evils of prejudice, so that tomorrows leaders and citizens can make better choices.

 

 


 

 
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