Understanding and Challenging Stigma toward ... - Pact Cambodia

A7
Personal Experience
of Being Stigmatized
4. Processing: Ask, “What did you learn from this exercise?”
Example Responses:
We often stigmatize unconsciously. We are not aware we are doing it. We are
only acting out of the way we have been socialized.
We can’t blame people for stigmatizing. They have been conditioned to
stigmatize.
People will be more accepting if they have more exposure, experience, and
knowledge.
When we stigmatize others, this gives us a feeling of power and superiority. I can
forget the person (his humanity) and stop dealing with him as a human being.
I view the stigmatized as a “threat,” so I isolate or exclude them.
5. Summary: Bring the session to a close by summarizing the main points
which participants have made during the exercise. In giving your summary you
may use some of the following points, if they have not already been mentioned by
participants.
These stories show that poor people, women, young people, and people
who try to do unusual things (e.g., woman wanting to go to university) are
stigmatized.
People often stigmatize unconsciously. They are not aware they are doing it.
They are only acting out of the way we have been socialized.
Individuals can make a difference by making an effort to stop stigmatizing
themselves and be positive examples for others.
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