The power of a label.

The following is a quick exercise to demonstrate the power of a label. Ask a friend or family member to close their eyes and visualize a police officer (you may have to ask them to humor you here). Then, one-by-one, tell them the police officer is a female, Hispanic, 47 years of age, and a lesbian. The point is not how common this combination of characteristics exists, but rather how drastically their perception changes once a new “label” is revealed. What was their original reaction? Why do you think people use stereotypes in such a powerful way? How do these labels impact justice? How are you labeled in your daily activities by others? Lastly, watch this fascinating clip on racial prejudices and socialization: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTYn1WRCuoU
• Where do you think these children get these perceptions if they are not watching the news like an adult would? How would you suggest changing these racial prejudices so that minorities are more likely to experience the justice system fairly?