Stereotype Charades…
Who’s the Real Monster?
Throughout our lives we form certain ideas or thoughts about the world in which we live in. How many
of these ideas are actually nothing more than pure stereotypes? In order to find out, this program has people
look deep into themselves and try to sort out what’s actually fact and fiction. Let me give you a quick
hypothetical. Let’s say you were roaming the European landscape and you ended up coming across
Frankenstein’s “monster” or even Dracula, what would you do? Any person considered normal would lose their
mind and run for their lives. Just imagine what it would be like to be in their shoes though. They could just be
out interacting with nature because they love it so much, or even trying to help wary passengers across a
dangerous landscape. Because everyone has been conditioned to fear them based upon completely made up
reasons though, they would never get these chances.
That happens all the time in the real world, believe it or not. There are many people across the world that
are constantly judged or looked down upon for no good reason. This program brings that to light and asks
people to really discuss why and how it happens. It’s not meant to be light-hearted or silly. This exists to help
people make sense of what appears to be senselessness.
How many stereotypes do you and the rest of the world have?
Page 2
Origin of Program
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Short Description of Program
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Goals of Program
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Positive and Lasting Effects of Program
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Short Evaluation of Program
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How Can This Be Adapted To Other Campuses
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Origin of Program
Somewhat similar to Frankenstein’s monster, “Stereotype Charades” was created during a brainstorming
session that involved many different ideas at the fall Residence Hall Association/ National Residence Hall
Honorary Leadership Retreat. Will, Weller Hall Council Treasurer, along with other members of Weller Hall
Council’s Executive Board and other residents from others halls were challenged to think of new program ideas
for their halls. “Stereotype Charades” was born out of the idea that people can have constructive and
educational conversations surrounding stereotypes found in our everyday lives. This would be a diversity and
social program in that people will be learning about diversity through the lens of stereotypes and social in that
people will be able to have a good time acting out their given identities.
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Short Description of Program
Let’s say that hypothetically Godzilla was to go stomping through your city. Not only would he destroy
about everything, he usually does it while fighting another monster. That would just be a pain and complicated
to deal with. On the other hand, “Stereotype Charades” is very simple to prepare and plan. Before the program,
the facilitator prefaces the activity letting the group know that in this program, they will be asked to act out
stereotypes that may be hurtful to themselves or others. The facilitator asks the group to be open with their
emotions, discomfort, anger, and confusion allow for good conversation after the acting. Before the program the
facilitator also makes sure to announce that participants are acting out stereotypes, and that no one should be
judged for how they portray their given identity, they are simply acting to prove their point.
Participants draw a slip of paper from a box with a word that traditionally describes a certain group of
people. These slips are prepared by the facilitator of the game. For example, white, black, homosexual, Indian,
blond, Middle Eastern, and so forth. One participants draw their slip of paper, they are given a moment to think
about how they are going to act out their given identity. The goal is to act out the identity in the stereotypes that
are more common for the given group. For our purposes, we allowed minimal talking if actors thought it was
necessary for the successful portrayal of their given identity. Other than the normal prevailing rules of
Charades, the directions are purposefully vague in hopes that actors will not be constrained by rules, and
viewers can really understand the depth of the stereotype that is being acted out. Once the actors start portraying
their stereotype, viewers are free to openly guess what or who they are acting out.
After the actors are done acting, the facilitator leads a group conversation about how the game went and
how people felt about what they were seeing. A few questions that the facilitator can cover are, “How did you
feel when you saw (give example)? What was going through your mind when you were watching a stereotype
that has affected you? How do these stereotypes become created? Is there any truth in stereotypes?” The list of
questions is very vast. The facilitator also allows for ample time for personal stories from other participants that
give people more of a chance to talk about how stereotypes have affected them throughout their life.
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Goals of the Program
Even though Dracula’s goal may be to seduce and suck the life from everyone he meets, this program
has totally different ideas in mind. There are many functional goals of the “Stereotype Charades “program. The
main overarching goal is to allow participants to create a better, fuller understanding of how stereotypes affect
people on a daily basis. It is the aim of this program to bring to light stereotypes that people do not usually think
of actually being stereotypical. It is also a goal to allow an environment for participants to feel safe in talking
about their own personal stories dealing with how stereotypes have affected them, as well as talk about where
they developed their stereotypes from.
The goal of the program is not to create controversy about the stereotypes that are portrayed, but rather
to use the controversy around stereotypes and the acknowledgment that they do exist to better create a place and
understanding of the impact they have on our lives.
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Positive and Lasting Effects of Program
Being turned into a wolf man has little to no positive effects which are very contrary to this program.
The positive effects of the program can literally be seen during the program itself. Participants have many “eye
opening” moments when they realize that they too have stereotypes not only about them, but for other people as
well. The effect that the program has is one of enlightenment to a problem that otherwise goes somewhat
invisible in society. Stereotypes have become such a normal part of life that they are frequently integrated into
the thought patterns of individuals in their everyday actions. Lasting effects of the program are still being
enjoyed many days later, and have the potential to last for a very long time. Certain language that many
participants would use in everyday life has all but disappeared. Words like “fag” and “nigga” were frequently
thrown around before the program. These two words got a lot of attention during the conversation part of the
program and participants left with a very new meaning and origin of the words. Participants also left with a
better understand of the past of other participants and how stereotypes have affected many different people in a
lot of different ways.
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Short Evaluation of program
There isn’t much worse than being chased by a cursed mummy. That’s a bad experience. This program
on the other hand is an excellent time. The “Stereotype Charades” program can be said as being nothing but a
smash success. Because of the aims of the program and the ability to allow people real time to critically think
about the effects that these labels have on people, participants were really able to take something away from the
program. In a smaller hall like Weller is having 24 people in attendance is great. Allotted for 40 because that is
how many different stereotypes were made to start out the program. It was a great time for people to learn about
each other and develop a real understanding of where views come from and how they act in society. Participants
stayed and talked for over an hour and a half after the program. The discussion itself took that long as well.
Residents really got into the topic once they realized that a very open and honest space was created for them to
explore their own views on stereotypes.
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How Can This Program Be Adapted
To Other Campuses
Just like The Creature from the Black Lagoon, “Stereotype Charades” is extremely adaptable in many
different ways. If there is a certain group or set of words that is often heard, the game can be adapted to allow
for these to be added as well. For instance, if a community is having a lot of problems with race, orientation, or
even hair colors, the game can be more directed at pulling out those types of stereotypes to allow for more
directed conversations. This game can work in large or small groups. A larger group will allow for more
diversity in responses and experiences, while smaller groups create the more intimate setting that allows people
to feel safe talking about their real feelings.
We did the program on a budget of zero dollars. But, this just means that another campus or organization
may choose to make the game into more of a competition and award prizes or food to encourage attendance or
more critical thinking.
The game is very adaptable because it is so flexible and has the potential to cover such a wide array of topics.