Diamond

Invisible racism Stereotypes and prejudices

Summary

The Diamond activity helps participants discuss and understand what are the possible consequences of racial microaggressions in a better way.

Materials

Statements and diamond illustration (annexed) for each participant, pens/pencils

Procedure

1. Give participants the set of nine different statements, each of which represents a micro-aggression. 2. Explain that their task is to rank the statements depending on how severe or violent they find them. The ranking should be done in the shape of a diamond, where the least violent statements should be at the bottom and the most violent – at the top (see illustration). 3. Invite participants to do the task individually first, and then in small groups of three to five people each. In this way participants will be able to reflect and create their own opinion first, and then discuss and learn from the others’ points of view. 4. After approximately twenty minutes discussion in small groups, take the diamonds from all the groups and put them in visible places of the meeting room and ask participants to go around and see what the others did.

Debriefing questions

• How do you feel after the activity? • What were the most debatable points during your groupwork discussion? • What criteria did you use to make your ranking and decisions? • Is there such a thing like “a little bit racist”? What does it mean? How do we know if something is a little bit racist or very racist? • Do you think there is one universally correct ranking? If so, why? If not, why? • Which of the examples are considered violent in your community? Why? • Which of the examples do you think should be taken more seriously?

Why? Why not?

“I do not sit next to a Black or Arab person on the bus. In the street, I usually change sides when one of them approaches me”.

“I assumed that he did not get proper education and probably works in agriculture fields because he looks like an immigrant”.

“When I see someone that does not look native, I usually speak up and use gestures more, because they might not speak the local language”.

“As a policeman, I checked the passport of this lady who turned out to be Romanian. I told her she looked more German.

“The financial crisis brought upon us a lot of black days in our countries. We are waiting for white days to come back”.

“I'm not a racist, but I would never date a black guy because that is not the type of man I like”.

“Racist jokes are funny! Don’t you have a sense of humour?”

“You always have to be extra careful around Roma people and make sure your wallet is in a safe place”

“You are my first gay friend. I have never had gay friends before because you know how they are… But you are not like the rest”. Most

Severity

Least