Experiential Activities for Cultural Diversity

Promote diversity at home, on the job and where you worship.

In 1992, an African American by the name of Rodney King asked a question after suffering from being beaten by police in Los Angeles - "...can we all just get along?" King's question still resonates today. Progress has been made to promote diversity and respect for various cultures. Progress still needs to be made. Groups of every type -- from non-profit organizations to corporations -- can all conduct activities to further advance diversity. By doing so, the world will be a better place for one and all to live, and all to get along.

The Story Behind My Name

Parents name children for a variety of reasons. Some names honor an ancestor; some are picked from the Bible, and some are selected because they are popular choices at the time when the child is born. Use "Say My Name" as an icebreaker activity for adult members of a new group to get to know one another in a corporate or organizational setting. Ask group participants to find out why their parents chose their names, and information regarding the historic origins of behind their name. Give each member five minutes to tell the "back story" behind their name to enlighten other members about their cultural background.

Worship Exchange

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that 11 a.m. Sunday is the most segregated hour in America. A 2008 ABC News article states that, "...only seven percent of America's churches are considered racially mixed." Churches can promote diversity by developing interdenominational relationships. Structuring an "exchange congregation" is one way to do so. For example, members of a Korean Baptist church can visit an African American Baptist church, and vice versa. Members of a Jewish synagogue can visit a Catholic, Protestant or Islamic churches and houses of worship. Members can gather after services to fellowship, exchange dialog and explore ways to promote tolerance of religious diversity.

Diversity Food Fair

Use food to promote diversity in the workplace. Hold a diversity food fair. Make slips of paper that state: Asian, Mexican, South American, African, Italian and American Soul Food. Have employees draw a slip and prepare a food from another culture than their own. Have other employees pull slips to volunteer to create a fact poster about the culinary customs for each respective culture. Stage banquet tables for employees to sample the edibles and learn about cuisine from around the world. Expand the program to create a company world cuisine cookbook, including articles and stories from employees.

Doll Experiment

In the 1940s, researchers and civil rights activists Mamie and Kenneth Clark conducted studies on race, where young African American girls were given a "play choice" of a white doll or a black doll. In most cases, the girl would choose the white doll. Conduct an experiment to see if things have changed. Hire a trained researcher to conduct the research sessions. Recruit at least ten girls from ages four to six to participate. Have the researcher give each girl a choice of an Asian, African American, Latino and Caucasian doll for play. Observe the child's selection from behind a two-way mirror and have the researcher ask the girl key questions, such as why she made her choice, which doll is smarter, which doll is prettier and so forth. Write a summary report about the observations and learning gained from the experiment.

References

• Diversity Inc: Rodney King's Question: Why Can't We All Just Get Along?
• CNN: Kids' Test Answers On Race Brings Mother to Tears; May 18, 2010
• EdChange: Awareness Activities; Paul C. Gorski
• ABC News: Segregated Sundays: Taking on Religion; Dan Harris, 2008
• Wilderdom: Multicultural, Cross-Cultural & Intercultural Games & Activities
• Brigham Young University: Diversity Activities