Activity #2: Racism
TSD-SJPLS
1.30.13
Activity #2: Ethnic Stereotypes
Purpose of the Activity:
The goal is for students to develop an awareness of the stereotypes
(assumptions) associated with various ethnicities or regional groups. In this
activity, students will associate “ethnic-sounding” names with hypothetical
occupations and then examine assumptions behind the associations.
Materials Needed:
Copies of the list of names and hypothetical occupations
Time Range:
 5 to 10 minutes for the matching exercise
 20+ minutes for discussion, depending on depth of discussion
Instructions for the Activity:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Have students split in small or medium groups (larger groups may
want to divide into smaller groups and compare responses).
Give out copies of worksheet #1 and ask students to draw a line
connecting each name on the list with that person’s occupation.
When finished, have them share their responses. Look for patterns:
a.
Did many people connect certain names with the same
occupations?
b.
If so, which names and occupations did your group associate
with each other? Why?
Consider the definition of stereotype. Ask students:
a.
Did any of your responses to the exercise express conscious or
unconscious stereotypes you hold about various ethnic groups? If
so, what were they?
DEBRIEF:
Discuss the following questions in small groups, or as a class:
Respond to this phase: “…to know one member of the group is to know them all.”
Answer the following discussion questions:
DISCUSSION TOPICS
 Is it true of the ethnic group(s) to which you belong? Why or why not?
 Is it true of other ethnic groups?
 How would you feel (or how do you feel) to be judged based on a
stereotype about your ethnic group(s)?
 What types of traits or characteristics are emphasized in stereotypes?
Info.TexasDHHResources.org/SocialJustice
Activity #2: Racism
TSD-SJPLS
1.30.13
Why?
 Where do we get some of the ideas that contribute to stereotypes about
people of other ethnic groups? What things reinforce those ideas? What
things counteract them?
 Did this activity give you any new ideas? If so, what are they?
 Will you change any of your language or behaviors as a result of this
activity? If so, how?
Info.TexasDHHResources.org/SocialJustice
Activity #2: Racism
TSD-SJPLS
1.30.13
Student Worksheet for Activity #2: Racism
Draw A Line
Draw a line connecting each name on the list below with that person’s occupation
(use each occupation only once, there will be some left over.)
NAMES
OCCUPATIONS
Jamal Jackson
Flight attendant
Eli Goldstein
Truck driver
Mohammed Al-Saaidi
Massage Therapist
Alison Running Bear
Corporate Vice President
Jiang Wu
High School Teacher
Conseula Garcia
Computer programmer
Faiza Shirazi
Farmer
Naomi Herschberger
Secretary
Steve Smith
Professional Basketball Player
Twila Sue Poole
Oil company executive
George White Feather
Forensic scientist
Latisha Johnson
Hotel maid
Jorge Enriquez
Homemaker
Machiko Matsumoto
Social worker
Bubba Ray Deere
University professor
Shannon Roberts
Lawyer
Blackjack dealer
Waitress
Info.TexasDHHResources.org/SocialJustice