We give a lot of power to words. While it's important to understand and learn about the cultural importance, the origin of the words, and the way the words we use for category membership can harm others, it can also be helpful to take a bit of that power back by discussing the words, their power, and their meanings in a safe and controlled setting. This activity strives to do that. Preface the activity (if your course so far has not prompted this discussion) that discussing the words is not the same as using them against others, and that what 'happens in class/seminar/group stays in class/seminar/group' because necessarily people will be expressing personal feelings, beliefs and experiences.
Best in a small (under 15) group.
Ask aloud to have group members generate general categories. Write these on the board/elmo/powerpoint. If they need prompting, start with "Religion." Ensure that the following categories ulitimately make it onto the board: religion, race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, appearance, age, nationality, political orientation. This portion of the activity might generate discussion and clarification on the difference between race and ethnicity, which of these categories are protected under the law, etc.
Next, ask aloud for the subcategories relevant to each category. These may vary somewhat depending on the knowledge, life experience, and overall composition of your group. This portion of the activity might generate discussion on why certain subcategories came to mind sooner than others, which labels are in current use/politically correct (e.g., Native American Indian, vs Indian), etc. Below are some examples.
Religion: Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Lutheran, Buddhist, etc, etc.
Race/Ethnicity: African American, Asian, Caucasian, etc, etc.
Gender: Male, Female, Trans
Appearance: Weight, attractiveness, health
Next, have group members take out a piece of paper and write all the slang words they can think of that represent the categories listed.
Collect the papers. Shuffle them up a bit if necessary to ensure some level of confidentiality. No names on papers! Next, start writing the words under or by each of the category labels listed. Put check or hash marks for duplicates. Say them aloud as you write them. If you don't know the meaning of a word, ask "Does anybody know what this means? You don't have to answer if you don't want to"). Usually more than one person knows, and enlightens you.
Now that all the words are on the board. Have a discussion about what you see. Some questions to get things going are:
Are there any patterns you notice in the words up here?
Why do you think some categories have more slang than others?
Are all these labels derogatory?
Are some of these labels time or place sensitive?
Are any of these words particularly offensive? Why?
Are any of these words not really that offensive (to you)? Why?
What stereotypes do these words tap into?
Are there any words that are acceptable for ingroup members to use but not outgroup members? Why?
How did some of these words come about? What is their origin?
Which of these words have been reclaimed by the groups to whom they were used against? Are they more positive now? Who can use them?
and on and on....
When we did this exercise in class I thought that it was very helpful in pointing out the different types of labels people use all the time. Some people use them willingly and other do it unconsciously. Also this activity did a good gob pointing out that all labels aren't bad. For example, some of the labels used towards women like DIME, SEXY, BEAUTIFUL would be some positive labels shown. I hope we get to engage in some more activities like that!!!!
This activity inspired me to think about the social nature of word connotations. Because the activity was in English, my second language, I was able to understand the denotation or basic meaning of the words that came up, but I did not experience the same emotional reactions as the people who have lived in this society all their lives. The connotations of words come from a social agreement, and they include all cultural narratives regarding historical events that have shaped the specific society, as well as the experience of each individual with the word, either hearing it or using it.
However, although the content will be different, this activity could be carried out in any society and in any language. Everywhere people use slang words to talk about things that can be considered as taboo, and that usually includes category membership.