Session 9.4
BLACK AND WHITE
Introduction
An activity to encourage people to look
at images and words which are associated with the words
BLACK and WHITE in different contexts and see if alternatives
could be used. An introduction exercise to promote the use
of 'politically correct language'.
Material
• Flipchart paper
• Coloured markers
• A large room or hall
• Tape
Time
1 hour
Group size
15 - 20 people
Process
Divide into small groups of 4-5 people
and ask them to write the words 'BLACK' and 'WHITE' on two
separate sheets of paper. The small groups have to write
down all the words and images which come into their minds
when they think of the words 'black' and 'white'.
For example:
• White Christmas
• White House
• White-collar
• In black and white
• Black Death
• Black Humour
When the two lists are complete, come back into the large
group and ask a representative from each of the groups to
report back on what they came up with.
Lead into a general discussion raising
issues such as:
• What did you notice about the
lists you drew up? Were they mainly positive or mainly negative?
• What does this tell us about
the ideas most people have in their heads about blackness
and whiteness? Do these ideas affect us?
• Can anyone think of alternative
phrases which mean the same thing but don't use the word
'black' or 'white' in a negative way?
Conclusion
Instead of a report of a representative
of each group, you can ask them also to make up a short
drama sketch about two or three of the words which they
pick out of their list. After the performance you can then
lead into a general discussion.
Another ways of exploring the associations
people have with the words "black" and "white"
can be found in the all different all equal education pack.
There is the activity, "White
future". You could also use the "Word
association game" described in chapter 2, page
30 or the activity, "Cultionary".
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