MOSAIC - The training kit for Euro-Mediterranean youth work

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Depending on how comfortable the participants feel with one another, try to
create variety when breaking them into small groups, for example, by mixing
European and Mediterranean participants, northern and southern participants,
minority and majority representatives (if this distinction can be drawn at all).
However, you should be sensitive to the possibility that there may be groups or
individuals who will feel uncomfortable discussing these issues with some people
in the group. In such a case, try to create “safe” groups to begin with.
You may want to give participants a list of specific issues to address in the small
groups. For example:
– How do the eight characteristics chosen by people in your group compare
from one person, or one region, to another?
– How did you go about selecting the parts of your identity that were more or
less important?
– How do the single characteristics differ from one person or one region to
another?
– Are you surprised by any of the choices made by other participants?
You may want to ask groups to appoint a rapporteur to present the main issues
discussed in the small groups. Try not to let the presentations be too detailed or
too long: ask simply for a summary of the main discussions.
Bear in mind that majority-group identities often feature personality traits, such as
being amusing, generous, warm-hearted and the like. In contrast, minority-group
identities and groups perceived to be “lower” in status tend to feature things like
nationality, gender, race and so on. One way to understand this is that majority
groups are often unaware of certain aspects of their identities because these are
perceived to be the norm. In a dominant white society, for example, white people
rarely think about being white, while black people have no choice but to think
about being black.
You could explore some of these issues by asking the group to compare the selected
characteristics from minority/majority groups and asking members of each group the
reasons for their selection: why they included or omitted such things as skin colour,
gender or nationality as elements of their core identity, for example.
Variations
Carry out the activity the other way round! Start by asking participants to select one
key characteristic, and then build up gradually to create a fuller sense of identity,
consisting of eight (or more) characteristics. This may be a more comfortable option
to use with groups that could feel insecure about “losing” elements of their identity.
Discussion can then centre around points of similarity between different individuals
or groups.
Ideas for action
Find out which minority groups are living in your neighbourhood and organise a
cultural evening involving as many of them as possible.
Lose yourself