Identifying, Naming and Sharing Our Identities Outside of Race & Skin Colour

Part of Mosaic Lifespan Curriculum

Open

Chalice Lighting

We light this chalice to celebrate the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

Each person is unique. Each person has value. Each person is important.

May we recognize the individual light that shines within each one of us.

Check-In Question 

  • Who is a person that knows you the BEST?
  • Is it a friend, a family member, a teacher?
  • Who is that person to you and why would you say they know you the best?

Song ‘Just as You Are’ (YouTube) by Lea Morris

Read

Content Warning (from Book Description): “The story recognizes the pain of those whose culture and language were taken from them, how that pain is passed down, and how healing can also be shared.”

Stolen Words by by Melanie Florence

Watch

Discuss: What might be a hurtful costume versus a fun costume? Give examples.

What if we wore a hurtful costume before we knew it was hurtful?(Remember this quote from Maya Angelou: “’Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”)

Cultural Appropriation Vs Appreciation (YouTube)

Do

Art Activity - draw yourself wearing a FUN (not hurtful!) costume that speaks to your personality and shows something about yourself. Example: This is a cat costume because I love cats and napping all day!

Discuss - What elements make up our identities? How many identities can one person embody?

Optional adaptation: Students can describe their costume or find a photo to share instead of drawing

Fill out the identity wheel–what elements may be missing that also make up who you are?

Close

Checkout Question: What 3 words would you use to describe yourself to an alien from another planet?

Fire of Commitment by Jason Shelton (UU Hymn) (YouTube)

Take Home

Ask Your Grownups

  • Were there any costumes that you wore when you were a kid that you regret having worn now?

  • What were they and why?

  • What was your favorite costume that you wore when you were a child? Why?

  • What are ways the other members of your family or community identify outside of race or skin color?

Activity: Use the Teaching Tolerance Checklist (PDF) to determine if one of your favorite books is inclusive. Bonus challenge: list how many different identities are represented in the book.

Optional Additional Resource: Learn about the Children’s Diversity and Justice Library at TN Valley UU Church, and browse their online catalog: