Understanding minorities
What does “minority group” mean?
A minority group is a group of people who have less power or representation in a society compared to the majority.
Why can words matter even if they’re meant as a joke?
Words can matter even if they’re meant as a joke because they can still hurt others, reinforce stereotypes, or make people feel excluded.
What is a microaggression?
A microaggression is a small, often unintentional comment or action that can hurt or insult someone because of their identity, such as their race, gender, or religion.
What is an upstander?
An upstander is someone who speaks up or takes action to support others when they see unfair treatment, bullying, or discrimination.
What is an ally?
An ally is someone who supports and stands with a group facing unfair treatment, even if they are not part of that group themselves.
True or False: A person can belong to more than one minority group.
True
What matters more: intent or impact? Why?
Impact matters more than intent because even if someone doesn’t mean harm, their words or actions can still hurt others.
Are microaggressions always intentional?
No, microaggressions are often unintentional, but they can still hurt or offend the person on the receiving end.
True or False: Being an upstander means speaking for others.
False. Being an upstander means supporting others and taking action against unfair treatment, not speaking over them.
Name one simple action allies can take at school.
One simple action allies can take at school is speaking up when they hear hurtful or unfair comments.
Name one reason minority groups may experience more bullying or exclusion.
One reason minority groups may experience more bullying or exclusion is prejudice or stereotypes against them.
Change one of the following comments that can be unintentionally harmful to be respectful.
Example:
Harmful: “You’re pretty smart for a girl.”
Respectful: “You’re really smart.”
Why are microaggressions harder to identify than bullying?
Microaggressions are harder to identify than bullying because they are often subtle, indirect, or unintentional, so people might not notice them or realize they are harmful.
What is the difference between speaking over vs speaking up for someone?
Speaking over someone means talking for them without their input, which can take away their voice.
Speaking up for someone means supporting them, standing against unfair treatment, and amplifying their voice when they need help.
Why is allyship an action?
Allyship is an action because it involves actively supporting and standing up for others, not just saying you agree with them.
Why is it important not to assume everyone has the same experiences?
It is important not to assume everyone has the same experiences because people have different backgrounds, identities, and challenges that shape how they live and are treated.
What is a reason why students may refuse to speak up?
One reason students may refuse to speak up is fear of being judged or targeted.
How can you respond to a microaggression?
You can respond to a microaggression by calmly pointing it out, explaining why it’s hurtful, and suggesting a more respectful way to speak or act.
What is one way to support someone without speaking for them?
One way to support someone without speaking for them is to listen, validate their feelings, and help create a safe space for them to share their own voice.
When you witness someone being excluded or targeted, what is a safe way to show support.
A safe way to show support is to check in with the person privately, offer help, or include them in activities.
How does understanding minority groups help someone be a better upstander?
Understanding minority groups helps someone be a better upstander because it builds empathy and awareness, making it easier to recognize unfair treatment and speak up against it.
What is an example of a respectful response to harmful language?
An example of a respectful response is: “That comment could be hurtful—let’s choose more respectful words.”
Why is it important to address microaggressions?
It is important to address microaggressions because they can build up over time, harm people’s well-being, and create an unwelcoming or unfair environment.
What is the difference between an upstander and bystander?
A bystander sees unfair treatment or bullying but does nothing, while an upstander takes action to support the person being treated unfairly.
How does being an ally affect the school community?
Being an ally helps create a safer, more inclusive, and respectful school community where everyone feels valued and supported.