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Kids Can... Take a
Stand
Against Prejudice & Discrimination
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Sometimes people are
mean to those who seem different. Maybe they think everybody
has to act a certain way to be cool. Or maybe they feel scared or
angry about people who are different (about the things they do, the way
they look). Treating people unkindly because they are
different is called prejudice.
Being the victim of prejudice
doesn't feel good. Being stared at or called names (or being left
out of the fun) hurts. Being the victim of prejudice can make a
person feel very sad and very angry. And, sometimes prejudice
leads to terrible violence. People have been killed just for
having skin that is darker (or lighter) than another group's -- or for
having a religion that another group doesn't like. Prejudice has
created a lot of sadness in the world.
But just as bad, prejudice
keeps us from working together to get things done. If we can't get
along, we can't cooperate, and we can't help each other, or share our
ideas. How can we work together to protect our Earth if we can't
be respectful of one another's differences?
What's more the great thing about being different
is that being different can help us come up with ideas that no one has
ever had before! Maybe the person who could solve the climate
crisis or invent a really efficient solar car is that boy or
girl you know that is "different". So who cares
if his hair cut is weird or her socks don't match.
Does that stuff even matter?
Besides,
if you think about it... EVERYBODY is different!
In fact, the really sad part about bullying is that it makes
so many people believe that they should pretend to be the
same. And to feel really bad about who they
really are...
So... what if we
decide to see our differences as
gifts to share with each other? And what if we could try to focus
on what we have in common -- on the dreams and hopes that we
share. Maybe we could learn to work & play together
more easily-- and have more
fun!
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Thailand |
People
can be different in all kinds of ways. But differences can be fun! |
Ecuador |
When
we do
get upset by differences, the important thing to focus on is not
"who's way is right", but how can we live together peacefully:
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One
way to help us live peacefully together... is to look
for the good in other people
and
in
their way of living --
this is also called "appreciating diversity".
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Another
is to learn
positive ways to cope with our own strong feelings, the feelings we
have
when
we disagree with other people. Feelings such as fear, shame, or
anger can cloud our thinking, and influence us to make choices we
later regret.
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We can also learn
how to resolve conflicts
-- this
means, working out our fights and disagreements without hurting each
other. And without hitting or name calling or trying to embarrass the
other person.
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Also, we
must learn how
we
can get our needs met and
be safe --
so that we can feel okay -- while letting other people be just who
they are.
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Finally, we
must all make the commitment not to hurt each other (or
ourselves) for being different. We must always remember that there is a better way.
Links
Resolving
Conflicts /
Positive
Ways To Cope With Feelings
Stop Bullying.Gov
Bullying is being mean to another kid over and over again. It affects everyone: kids who are bullied, kids who bully, and kids who see it. Are you being bullied? Do you see bullying at your school? There are things you can do to keep yourself and the kids you know safe from bullying.
Resolving Conflicts
Rules
For Getting Your Mads Out
How to deal with angry
feelings... without hurting yourself or others!
Appreciating
Diversity:
Make A
Commitment Not To Hurt Each Other
Excerpts
From Slave Narratives
First hand accounts from slaves
and slave traders. Edited by Steven Mintz, University of Houston.
Sobering food for thought about where prejudice has sometimes led
our species.
Prejudice And Tolerance
Visit this
The More You Know site to see video clips on this topic
by famous television personalities like Kristen Johnston &
Joseph Gordon-Levitt (3rd Rock From The Sun), Megan
Mullaly & Sean Hayes (Will & Grace), and Alex
Kingston (ER). Be sure to check out their
information on
bullying as
well.
Resources for Parents,
Teachers, & Older Teens
Understanding Prejudice
Excellent collection
of links relating to prejudice reduction programs, projects, ideas, and resources.
What
to Tell Your Child About
Prejudice and Discrimination
History isn't always
pretty. For help teaching your students about some of the
uglier moments in human history, check out these top notch
lesson plans and resources. Facing Ourselves is a
premier educational organization that aims to teach young people
about the evils of prejudice, so that tomorrows leaders and
citizens can make better choices.
Send us some email!
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CONNECTING KIDS
with NATURE
E.K. KIDS CLUB
on this page
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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO Reduce violence
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Conflict Management
Handling Bullies
and Prejudice
Tolerance
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Change the World!
Saving
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Giving Service
In Your Community
Ending World Hunger
Helping Animals
Working For
World Peace
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Use the Power of Information
Taking a Stand Against
Prejudice
&
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Nurturing A Positive
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Empowering Children
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