Labels (30 mins)
We all use labels or names to describe other people, sometimes these can be very hurtful.Step 1:
If you are with as group, give everyone a piece of paper. Then each one is to write down a label they have used at some time.
It can be a label referring to their age, gender, religion, language, race, culture or anything else that identifies them as different from others, e.g. "a swot,” a “bush man” or a “gold digger.”
Step 2:
Now collect all the labels and, with the group sitting in a circle, hand them out at random to everyone in the group so that everyone gets one.
Step 3:
Each person in turn then looks at his/her label. He/she should then say how he/she feels and what he/she does not like about being called that label.
Step 4:
When everyone has had a chance to speak, pass a paper bin around the circle encouraging every person to destroy the label and place it in the bin, saying, “I will never use this label on anyone again.”
After all, we all have enough experience of being on the receiving end of prejudice and stereotyping to know how harmful this can be. So let's keep a promise not to label others again.