STICKS & STONES

Description of the tool

Participants are asked to describe the young people they work with and the results noted on flipchart. A model relating to the use of language is introduced (handout – Language and Its Use). Participants discuss the model and the situation faced by their young people, placing the situation into context with the model. Participants physically move to the quarter that reflects their situation, following the sections marked in the handout. This should hopefully form four groups of roughly equal size. Each group should discuss the consequences of the words or language used, in relation to:
(a) The person/group being spoken about.
(b) The person/audience listening.
(c) The person speaking? Feedback and discuss the consequences in plenary.

The general discussion should include the following questions if possible:
· Were the word(s) used accurate?
· Did the words need to be used at all?
· Under what circumstances are they appropriate/relevant?
· How do the young people describe themselves?
· Which quarter should be aimed for when working on issues of ‘race’?

The handout Language: Principles and Considerations should be distributed to the group.The session can be concluded with the handout Racist Attitudes and Behaviour.