Topic 11 Recognizing & Addressing Bias Group Project

Choose one of the following projects to find out more about this topic, or create your own project based on your interests and abilities.

Media Research

Create a study group to find out how different forms of media such as newspapers, magazines, films or commercial, portray people. Keep a record of what you discover and make a graph or another form of visual aid to display your findings. Consider the following questions?

1. Are both males and females represented in a variety of roles (traditional and non-traditional)?
   
   
2. Are people with disabilities portrayed fairly?
   
   
3. Are people of color stereotyped?
   
   
4. Who represents "good"? Who represents "bad"?
   
   
5. How are young people or older people portrayed?

Community Bias

Bias can be expressed in many ways in a local community. When you hear about people being hurt by bias in your community, such as the destruction of places of worship, biased graffiti on people's homes, physical violence to people because of their identity, or other unfair and hurtful practices, ask your friends to join with you in speaking out against it. Consider these ideas and add your own.

1. Write a letter to local newspapers, or contact a TV station or other local media organizations, expressing your opinions and concerns.
   
   
2. Offer support to the recipients of bias with letters, cards, flowers, or other expressions of comfort to let them know they are not alone.
   
   
3. Paint over biased graffiti on walls, places of worship, or other locations. If appropriate, replace the graffiti with a drawing or message supporting peace and understanding.
   
   
4. When you hear people making biased comments about individuals or groups, let them know in a strong and polite way that you do not agree with their ideas, and explain why.

It's The Law

Form a study group to explore the following questions. Consider employers, attorneys, and the library as possible sources of information.

1. What are some of the issues in the workplace related to gender, age, disabilities, sexual orientation, and discrimination?
   
   
2. Which federal laws address these issues?
   
   
3. Organize a Center-wide or residence hall meeting and share what you discovered.

Read About It

Read a story involving biased behaviors and write a short summary of what you learned.

Books to consider are:

• Convicted in the Womb by Carl Upchurch.
  
  
• The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank.
  
  
• Amazing Grace by Jonathan Kozol.

Posted in: