STEP FORWARD
   FOR DIVERSITY

The exercise we will do today is pretty simple.
 I will have you stand in a minute.  I will then call out a category/label/description and ask you to step forward if it applies to you. 
If it does not apply, you will stay still. 
For example, I might ask you to step forward if you wear glasses. 
If this describes you, and you feel comfortable to do so, step forward.
This activity will involve labeling and personalizing some of your diverse qualities.  This might prove uncomfortable at times.  Eventually, however, it might empower us all to break down  stereotypes and assumptions that we, as a product of our culture, experience, and life hold.
 

** We do have to set a few ground rules for the activity.
1. The first involves LISTENING. Let’s have silence throughout the exercise – no talking, snickering, giggling, etc.  Silence will allow all of us to participate fully.  Silence will also enable us to experience our personal thoughts and feelings more deeply.
2. The second guideline is RESPECT. It is imperative that we respect the dignity of each person who is here. Everything that is shared should remain confidential. Nothing that is offered should leave this room. However, if – having gone through the activity – you truly need to talk to a particular individual about something he or she has shared, be sure you ask that person’s permissions and do have that conversation privately.  Remember, there is no pressure to step forward if you don’t feel comfortable doing so.  You will need to make that decision.
​

Okay Let's Begin:

1. Make one step forward if you are female.
2. Step forward if you prefer living in the city to country living.
3. Step forward if you were born in Utah.
4. Step forward if you know what your major will be in college.
5. Step forward if you enjoy sports.
6. Step forward if you are an only child.
7. Step forward if your parents are divorced.
8. Step forward if you prefer Coke to Pepsi.
9. Step forward if you prefer vanilla to chocolate.
10. Step forward if you have been in love.
11. Step forward if you enjoy school.
12. Step forward if you have ever had surgery.
13. Step forward if you have ever lived in another state.
14. Step forward if you have a hero or role model in your life.
15. Step forward if you like your body shape or size.
16. Step forward if you sleep an average of 8 hours a night.
17. Step forward if you play on any sports teams.
18. Step forward if you sing in the high school choir.
19. Step forward if you enjoy video games.
20. Step forward if you have ever faced difficult situations in your life.
21. Step forward if you have ever felt alone, unwelcome or afraid.
22. Step forward if you have cried this week.
23. Step forward if you have ever participated in a racial, sexual or cultural joke.
24. Step forward if you didn’t like these jokes, but did nothing to stop them.
25. Step forward if you have been the victim of racism, sexism or bigotry.
26. Step forward if your parents or grandparents might still have prejudicial thoughts.
​27. Step forward if you have been completely honest during this activity.
28. Step forward if you did not step forward in a previous statement when you should have.
29. Step forward if you are willing to understand, talk about, and celebrate diversity. ​
(Adapted from the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute - North American Interfraternity Conference)


Process Questions: 
How did you feel when you chose to step forward?   

Which statements were you proud to step forward for?  

Which statements were uncomfortable for you to step forward for?

Which statements were challenging to decide to step forward or not?

Were there times when you just went with the flow instead of going with how you really felt?

If you’re comfortable sharing, which statements were they?

How did you feel when there were a lot of people who stepped forward when you did?

How did it feel when there were not many people stepping forward when you did?

What questions do you have or want to offer to the group?

What do you think the purpose of this activity was? (Possible answers:  Learn about how we are different, accept others points of view, be courageous about what we think and believe, stand up for something)

What does this activity have to do with diversity at AMES? (Possible answers: We are all different, we can accept others and treat them well even if we don’t agree with them, we need to all stand up for what we believe in, even if it is different than our peers, we need to know what we think about ideas so we can stand up for them.)

​Through this activity, intentionally or not, do you think you learned more about others diversity and values?
​How we talk to people, the questions we ask, and our tone of voice often make a HUGE impression.  We all have implicit biases.  Let's work to recognize them and educate ourselves so that we don't offend our friends, teachers, co-workers and community.  
Speak with Good Purpose