1. OUCH! That Stereotype Hurts
Communicating Respectfully in a Diverse World
© 2007, International Training and Development, LLC

2. Diversity Day: The Office

3. GOALS FOR THIS SESSION
Explore communication skills for promoting inclusion and respect in the workplace
Have FUN while learning about Stereotypes
Walk away with the understanding and tools to mitigate Stereotypes from your office (and outside the office)

4. “Communication provides the legs for bias, carrying it from person to person, from generation to generation.
Eventually, however, communication will be the way to end discrimination.”
– John N. Bailey ABC, Exec. Director, International Association of Business Communicators

5. AGENDA/OBJECTIVES
Understand the impact of stereotypes and biased statements, even when casually said
Identify the most common reasons people sit silent in the face of bias and stereotypes
Enhance skills for speaking up against stereotypes without blame or guilt

6. OUTLINE Stereotypes Watch “Ouch!” Video Speaking Up: Six Techniques
Three Different Types
Examples
Watch “Ouch!” Video
Ouch! Discussion
Speaking Up: Six Techniques
Definitions

7. STEREOTYPE: DEFINITION
An oversimplified image or statement applied to a whole group of people, without regard for the individual.
Generally speaking, these "stereotypes" are not based on objective truth, but rather subjective and often unverifiable content- matter.

8. EXAMPLE OF A STEREOTYPE

9. WHY DO WE STEREOTYPE Three Reasons We Stereotype
Mental Categorizing/Labeling
General Types or Sub Types
Automatic or Subconscious

10. MENTAL CATEGORIZING/LABELING
Sociologists believe that mental categorizing (or labeling) is necessary and inescapable.
One perspective on how to understand stereotyping process is through the categories or ingroups and outgroups.
Ingroups are viewed as normal and superior, and are generally the group that one associates with or aspires to join.
An outgroup is simply all the other groups. They are seen as lesser or inferior than the ingroups.

11. GENERAL TYPES OR SUB TYPES
Stereotypes consist of hierarchical systems consisting of broad and specific groups being the general types and sub-types respectively.
A general type could be defined as a broad stereotype typically known among many people and usually widely accepted, whereas the sub-group would be one of the several groups making up the general group.
These would be more specific, and opinions of these groups would vary according to differing perspectives.

12. AUTOMATIC OR SUBCONSCIOUS
Automatic or subconscious stereotyping is that which everyone does without noticing.
Automatic stereotyping is quickly preceded by an implicit or conscious check which permits time for any needed corrections.
Automatic stereotyping is affected by implicit stereotyping because frequent conscious thoughts will quickly develop into subconscious stereotypes.

13. WHO ARE THESE WOMEN?
SANITATION WORKERS

14. WHO IS HE?
FLIGHT ATTENDANT

15. DOCTOR WHO HELPS TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS FIND PEACE
WHO IS SHE?
DOCTOR WHO HELPS TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS FIND PEACE

16. PREACHER/CLERGY WOMAN
WHO IS SHE?
PREACHER/CLERGY WOMAN

17. WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
TWO FEMALE MECHANICS

18. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
WHO IS HE?
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

19. REGISTERED NURSE/PhD STUDENT
WHO IS HE?
REGISTERED NURSE/PhD STUDENT

20. FUGITIVE/SEX SLAVE TRAFFICKER
WHO IS SHE?
FUGITIVE/SEX SLAVE TRAFFICKER

21. PARTICIPATION TIME Describe a Time When You…
…were exposed to stereotypes in media (TV, movie, music, etc). What message did it send?
…when you have been the recipient or target of a stereotype? How did that affect you?
…when you have witnessed someone else being stereotyped? What did you do?

22. BIAS: DEFINITION
Bias is a predisposition to see events, people or items in a positive or negative way.
Bias is an attitude or belief.

23. “The simple act of naming a bias as such or objecting to it on the spot establishes a social atmosphere that discourages it: saying nothing serves to condone it.”
– Daniel Goleman Emotional Intelligence

24. STEREOTYPES
PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED HISPANIC AFRICAN AMERICANS MEN ELDERLY GLBTs ASIAN AMERICANS WOMEN NATIVE AMERICANS GENERATION-X OBESE

25. NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES
Negative effects may include forming inaccurate opinions of people, scapegoating, erroneously judgmentalism, preventing emotional identification, distress, and impaired performance.
Over time, some victims of negative stereotypes display self-fulfilling prophecy behavior, in which they assume that the stereotype represents norms to emulate.

26. NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES Possible prejudicial effects of stereotypes are:
Justification of ill-founded prejudices or ignorance
Unwillingness to rethink one's attitudes and behavior towards stereotyped group
Preventing some people of stereotyped groups from entering or succeeding in activities or fields

27. To go along with through silence.
SILENT COLLUSION
To go along with through silence.
Ally:
Someone who speaks up on behalf of someone else.

28. “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

29. OUCH! That Stereotype Hurts
Watch
OUCH! That Stereotype Hurts
Video

30. OUCH! DISCUSSION
Do you ever hear similar stereotypes or biased comments? In this organization?
Why do individuals sometimes remain silent in the face of stereotypes or other demeaning comments? Share experiences and examples.
How does this video relate to you? Do you see yourself reflected in any way?

31. SPEAKING UP: SIX TECHNIQUES
Assume Good Intent and Explain Impact
Ask a Question
Interrupt and Redirect
Broaden to Universal Human Behavior
Make It Individual
Say Ouch!

32. ASSUME GOOD INTENT AND EXPLAIN IMPACT
Assume good intent and approach the person as a rational human being. When you assume the best, there is no need for blame.
EXAMPLES:
“I know you mean well, but that hurts.”
“Look I know you meant that comment to be funny, but it hurts.”

33. ASK A QUESTION
Choose a simple, non-blaming question. The key is to assume good intent.
EXAMPLES:
“What do you mean?”
“Do you mean that?”
“I’m sorry, what was that again?”

34. INTERRUPT AND REDIRECT
Interrupting and redirecting changes the direction of the conversation abruptly, without requiring further discussion.
EXAMPLES:
“Whoa, let’s not go down that road.”
“Careful there, let’s not assume things.”

35. BROADEN TO UNIVERSAL HUMAN BEHAVIOR
Sometimes people attribute a common human behavior to only one group, and then they stereotype the whole group as though everyone is identical.
EXAMPLE:
“I don’t think it’s just a man thing. I think it applies to both men and women.”

36. MAKE IT INDIVIDUAL
Often, people are clumped together in a stereotype. This approach breaks through the clumping and narrows it down to an individual.
EXAMPLE:
“Who exactly are you referring to when you say that?”

37. SAY OUCH!
Sometimes you may not have the energy or you’re too stunned to say anything or just can’t think of what to say. Then just say, “OUCH!”
EXAMPLE:
“Ouch! That stereotype hurts.”
“Ouch! Why must you say that?”

38. SPEAKING UP DISCUSSION
Which technique(s) do you personally prefer? In what types of situations would you use these techniques?
Which situations are most difficult for you? How do you respond? What is the impact of sitting silent?
How can you increase your comfort, confidence and skill in speaking up in these situations?

39. “I am only one; but I am still one
“I am only one; but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”
– Helen Keller

40. SKILLS PRACTICE
What is the impact of this statement if left unaddressed?
Will you speak up…
…now or later?
…in public or in private?
…on your own or with the help of an Ally?
Which technique(s) can you use to speak up without blaming or shaming the other person?

41. “We must be the change we want to see in the world.”
– Mahatma Gandhi

42. THANK YOU Comments and/or Feedback: Ken Kleeschulte
NWS Memphis
Based on the book by Leslie C. Aguilar
International Training and Development, LLC Produced and Distributed by Joel Leskowitz SunShower Learning
© 2007, International Training and Development, LLC