Choose an event that you would not normally attend and at which you will likely be in
Question:
Choose an event that you would not normally attend and at which you will likely be in the minority on some important dimension. Attend the event.
- You can go with a friend who would normally attend the event, but not one who will also be in a minority.
- Make sure you pick a place where you will be safe and where you are sure you will be welcomed, or at least tolerated. You may want to check with your instructor about your choice.
- Do not call particular attention to yourself. Just observe what is going on and how you feel.
Some of you may find it easy to have a minority experience since you are a minority group member in your everyday life. Others may have a more difficult time. Here are some examples of events to consider attending:
- A religious service for a religion totally different from your own.
- A sorority or fraternity party where the race of members is mostly different from your own.
- A political rally where the politics are different from your own.
- After attending the event, write down your answers to the following questions:
1. How did you feel being in a minority situation? Did different aspects of your self-identity become salient? Do you think others who are in minority situations feel as you did?
2. What did you learn about the group you visited? Do you feel differently about this group now?
3. What did people do that made you feel welcome? What did people do that made you feel self-conscious?
4. Could you be an effective team member in this group? How would your differences with group members impact your ability to function in this group?
5. What did you learn about managing diversity from this exercise?
Expert Answer:
1Attending a Catholic Mass would be one of the events that would put me in a minority situation I am ... View the full answer
