1.
Activity to Explore the Impact of Stereotypes
(30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the group)
Purpose of activity:
This activity will help your group start thinking about how stereotypes affect how you think
about each other and work together.
Goals:
 To allow participants to self identify racially/ethnically/culturally and reflect on how
stereotypes affect them and others
 To give participants an opportunity to start talking about stereotypes
Materials needed:
 Pens/Pencils
 Post-its
 Chart paper (1 piece)
 Markers
Background:
This is a brief introductory activity about race that leads to deeper conversations. This activity
helps participants reflect on how stereotypes affect them and allows them to hear how
stereotypes affect others.
Preparation:
 Think about how you and your co-facilitator will model your three words for how you
describe your group and your three words for how others describe your group.
 On a flip chart, draw a vertical line. On one side write, “You” and on the other side write,
“Other.”
Part 1: Group activity (10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the group)

2.
1. Give each participant two post-its and a pen/pencil.
2. Ask a few people to explain what stereotypes are. Then read the definition: Stereotypes
are images, beliefs, or assumptions about a group of people without taking into
consideration a person’s individual differences.
You can alsowrite the definitiononapiece of chart paperand hang itup where everyonecan
see it.
3. Model the exercise slowly, step-by-step for the participants before you ask them to do it.
Use your own identity and descriptions when modeling the exercise. Ask them to put
their racial, ethnic, or cultural group at the top of both post-its. It’s however they define
themselves. (For example, I consider myself _Latina__.)
a. On one post-it, write three words you would use to describe your group. (For
example, I consider myself _Latina_. Three words I would use to describe my
group are _proud_, _family-oriented_, and _hard-working_.)
b. On the other post-it, write three words others might use to describe your group.
(For example, others describe my group as _illegal_, _uneducated_, and _have
lots of children_.)
c. Let everyone know that whatever words come to their mind are okay. People can
use positive words or negative words if they think those words best sum up their
thoughts.
4. After everyone has had time to write their answers, go around the room and ask people to
read their answers one at a time. First have them share how they self-identified, then how
they view their group and then how others view their group. As they read their answers,
participants should get up and tape their post-its to the chart paper on the appropriate
sides. Participants can continue reading their post-its even when someone is getting up to
put theirs on the chart paper.
Part 2: Debrief (20 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the group)
As a large group have a conversation using these questions:
1. How did you feel answering the questions? Was it hard? Was it easy?
2. What did you notice as people shared? Were there any similarities or differences?
3. How have other people’s stereotypes about your racial or ethnic group impacted you
during your lifetime?
4. What will you do in the future to try to avoid using stereotypes about other people? What
can we do as a team?