Colorful is a program that aims to promote understanding and appreciation of differences through discussions about identity, micro-aggressions, and discrimination. It establishes ground rules for respectful dialogue and uses identity corners and questions to help participants explore how their various identities like gender, race, and religion influence them and how they are perceived by others. The goal is to help individuals embrace all aspects of their identity without fear and see both similarities and differences between themselves and others.

1. colorful
presented by jeffrey chum
credited to karim arabi
University of California, Irvine

2. purpose
colorful is a program to tackle different topics
• understanding and appreciating differences
• mirco-aggression
• “step up” to discrimination
how to program…

3. safe space
where all individual’s opinions are voiced
you might be offended
you might disagree

4. rules of the room
what is said here, stays here
don’t yak my yum
understand to be understood
attack the idea, not the person

5. meet and greet
“My name is ____
I am a student at ____
One thing you cannot tell just by looking at me is ___

6. talk to the person next to you about diversity

7. identity corners

8. structure to colorful
1. ask residents questions
2. heads to which “corner” or identity corners
3. tell residents to observe the difference/similarity
4. share* how the identity present them
5. share to the larger group

9. corners
each “corner” will have the following categories:
gender, race, ethnicity, family, religion, sexual
orientation, age, physical appearance, immigration
status, ability status, education, socioeconomic status

10. practice
questions such as:
• This is the identity that I am most aware of at school/work.
• Which of your identities do you receive the most benefits from?
• This is the identity I most like to share with others
• This is the identity I tend to keep hidden. (Discussion question:
Why do we keep some identities hidden? And how can we help
individuals in our communities embrace their identities without
being embarrassed or scared? )

11. how did that make you feel learning your different
identity
discussion

12. conclusion
• this program is meant to help people recognize who
their are, their struggle others do not see, and what
influences them.

13. questions

14. thank you
from
uci