Shield

Short description

A game designed to encourage reflection on vulnerabilities and what it is that shields us from them or helps us deal with adversity as well as how we can shield others.

Aims & Objectives

Material and equipment needed

Instructions

Step by step explanation

Activity 1: Strengths and vulnerabilities (5 min)

Activity 2: The shield (35 min)

In the first area, instruct them to draw something that represents a way for them to deal with being subject to hate speech, for example being called a bad name or being subject to hate speech. That is something that makes them feel better if that has already happened, this can be anything from speaking up for yourself to spending time with your cat.
In the second area ask them to draw something that represents a way for them to prevent that from happening again. This can be talking to the person who said/did something, reporting, blocking, asking a friend to help or anything they feel is appropriate for the situation they have in mind.
In the third area, ask them to draw something that represents a way for them to use these (or others) to shield others from being subject to hate speech.

Activity 3: Debriefing (20 min)

After everyone has finished their drawings, ask them to share a little bit about what they drew and why.
Start with the first area, each participant should explain and then summarise and discuss briefly after everyone has finished.
After that move on to the next area they have filled out. Until all participants have discussed all their drawings.
End up with summarising, what you have discussed and that these things can be thought of as a basis for youth activism.

Some young people want to do very much and reach a lot of people whilst others feel more comfortable with having a positive impact on their closest environments. Knowing how to make yourself feel better when things are difficult is an important skill for activists to know as it can be a way to prevent burn out. Knowing ways of protecting yourself is also important. In discussing that you should also discuss that even if it is possible to utilise ways of protecting yourself a victim of hate speech is never the one who is responsible for it. It is not plausible to think that a person can by themselves prevent any hate speech directed towards them.

That is why the last one is so important. Because every time you can use your strengths and privileges to defend someone else, it means they were shielded from being subject to it or from having to defend themselves alone.