This group activity simulates how stereotypes stigmatize us, intimidate us, and hold us back from a higher intelligence.

1. Prepare small stick-on labels, examples such as:
   

   African-American female lawyer Hispanic female professor Red-headed teenage female with baby in arms Asian-American male college student Light-skinned male businessman in suit Dark-skinned male farm worker Arab-American male shopkeeper Dark-skinned male dentist wearing a turban

   Whiner Retro Redneck Goth Airhead Bully Jock Stoner Preppy

   Brainy Class Clown Computer Geek Timid Mouse Drama Queen Sleeper (class slug) Teacher’s Pet

   
   
2. Form 2 circles. The inner circle sits in silence, eyes closed.
3. Place a different label on each person in the inner circle.
   Those in the outer circle move from one person in the inner circle to the next, whispering something to that person, based on the label.

4. The group who is sitting and listening, tries to guess which category is pinned on their back. After completing a round, the inner and outer groups will reverse and repeat.

5. The purpose is to notice what questions and statements come to mind, even if you can see the bias in them - and to experience the feeling of receiving these remarks.

6. Process the activity with the following questions:

How did you feel? Was it easy to participate? Difficult?
What were some comments you heard? What were your strong reactions?
Did you figure out your label?
Which labels were most difficult to respond to?
What did you learn about the stereotypes of your label?
How does this relate to your own real-life label?
How does stereotyping affect how you treat others?
What do you do when you see stereotypes acted out in daily living?

7. End with these important questions?

How does stereotyping play out in the real world and media?

How might you support your HSTA students, based on their culture?

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