LEARNING OBJECTIVE

To identify how prejudice influences others, and understand how differences can inspire advocacy

HEALTH ED STANDARD

Demonstrate how to influence and support others to make positive health choices (NHES 8)

KEY VOCAB

multiracial, prejudice, resonate, mind-set, nonprofit, ethnicity

Lesson Plan: “What Are You?”

Lexi, 18, grew up facing many questions about her racial identity. Now, she’s proud of being multiracial, and works hard to advocate for other multiracial people.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

What about my identity makes me feel different, and how can I use it to empathize with others? 

 CLOSE-READING QUESTIONS

  1. What are some of the incidents of prejudice that Lexi has encountered? People at restaurants have asked to switch tables so they didn’t have to sit next to her family, they weren’t able to go to a certain chuch, and a woman was rude to Lexi and her father.
  2. What prompted Lexi to advocate for other multiracial teens? She wrote an essay for school, and when she put her thoughts on paper, her feelings became clear to her. When she won the essay contest, she was inspired to continue advocating. 
  3. What causes does Lexi currently advocate for? She wants documents to offer a “multiracial” box, she encourages multiracial people to become bone marrow donors, and she educates others about discrimination.

 CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

  1. After reading Lexi’s story, what would you say to the people who made her uncomfortable about her skin color? Possible answer: A person’s ethnicity is only one part of who they are. You can’t judge someone on the color of their skin.
  2. Lexi was inspired by writing an essay about her experience. When has an assignment inspired you to go further? How did you take it to the next level? Answers will vary.
  3. Lexi says you shouldn’t stereotype or make assumptions about someone before you get to know them. When has someone made an unfair assumption about you, and how did it make you feel? Answers will vary.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

WRITE AND REFLECT

NHES 2

Teens often don’t realize the way they hurt others with their words. In order to develop empathy, they need to consider the other person’s perspective. Using the HOW YOU MADE ME FEEL graphic organizer, they’ll write a letter to a stranger who made them feel “less than” based on stereotypes or unfair assumptions.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

NHES 1, NHES 8

Lexi began advocating for other multiracial teens after writing an essay about an inspiring quote she found on Pinterest. Using the WORDS TO LIVE BY handout, students will find a quote on social media that represents who they are. Then, they’ll find a visual way to present that quote to the rest of the class.

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