Session 8.3
SILENT FLOOR DISCUSSION
Racism, anti-Semitism, intolerance and xenophobia, what
does it mean to me?
Introduction
A way of encouraging a group to think
about the issues of the campaign 'all 'different - all equal'
with each other is to use the Silent Floor Discussion. The
basic rule is that no one speaks during the exercise.
Materials
• 20 Coloured markers (thick)
• Flipchart paper or wall paper
• Paper tape
Time
1.5 - 2 hours
Group size
10 - 20 people
Process
Everybody sits in a circle around the
4 big sheets of paper on the floor. Write than the following
words in large letters on the paper.
RACISM ANTI-SEMITISM INTOLERANCE XENOPHOBIA
Depending on the size and interest of the group, you can
also take 2 or 3 words. Ask people to write down everything
what comes in their mind or what they associate with the
word. They can also respond to something that has been written
by somebody else. They can give counter-arguments, make
links, ask questions
etc. The basic rule is: NOBODY SPEAKS.
It is alright if more people are writing at the same time.
Indicate that the discussion ends after ten minutes or at
the moment that nobody is writing any more. After the silent
session there is time to continue by a verbal discussion.
Some questions can be posed, or some explanations can be
asked about things written on the paper. The discussion
can explore the topics of the session and people's thoughts
and feelings about it and/or their feelings about the silent
discussion approach.
Conclusion
This session can be especially helpful
for people who take some time to consider their reactions
or for whom speaking in a large group is difficult. A 'Silent
Floor Discussion' can be a very useful introductory exercise
to a topic.
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