IDEAS

Idea 11: Writing a "Where I'm From" poem

Why is it important?

Many students may feel that they cannot connect with students from multicultural backgrounds on the topic of culture because often culture and race/ethnicity are used interchangeably. This activity would negate that and explain the different ways in which culture manifests, effectively helping students feel comfortable talking about the topics in new ways.

Instructions

• Provide students with an example �Where I�m From� poem (perhaps one that the facilitator has written) and inform the students than culture does not stop at race or ethnicity, reiterating that where a student is from does not necessarily have to include a geographical location (though it can)
• Begin by suggesting students, in whatever language or style they would like, jot down visual images, smells, feelings, and sounds that they believe feel like home.
• Let participants know they can write their poems in whatever language they feel comfortable with and to any length they would like. Reiterate that there is no right or wrong format and there is not a necessity for rhyme.
• Encourage students to share their poems and actively listen to the poems that their peers read out loud as well as think about commonalities they share.
• Once everyone has read, ask students to discuss the following questions:
• What was it like to write the poem?
• What was it like to read your poem aloud?
• What did you learn from the other poems you heard?
• How can you apply what you�ve learned to the current discussion of multiculturalism and how multiculturalism is interacted with in the United States?

Advantages

• Opens up the dialogue of multiculturalism to more students by effectively defining multiculturalism as more than being of a non-white ethnicity
• Allows for students to begin feeling more comfortable with each other and the difficult topics at hand, which produces more interesting and worthwhile in-class dialogue

Adapted from:
Adams, M., Bell, L.A., & Griffin P. (2007) Teaching Diversity and Social Justice.