Tool: Karaoke
Racism is Ordinary
The Challenge: Microaggressions stem from stereotypes. They create unconscious statements, biases, and questions that lead to uncomfortable or hostile environments. It can be a detriment to the entire design process.
What is the activity? Storytelling
What is the Tenet? Racism is Ordinary
How many people? Band (multiple)
How long does it take? 1 hour
When should we use this tool in the design process?
The place for this is before starting the project
What is this Equity Beat?
Presenting stories based on microaggressions and discussing how those comments make people feel in relation to their personal identities.
Why should we use it?
To establish that racism is ordinary and to reflect on how "normal statements" could be hurtful. This can affect both the design process and an individual.
Gather your group to read stories of microaggressions out loud.
What impact can you make?
Form a better understanding of microaggressions.
Knowing how to respond after committing a microaggression.
Become aware of and able to avoid microaggressions in the design process.
Ready to take another Beat?
How to play Karaoke
Step 1:
Download the slide deck and present it to your team.
Step 2:
After going through the activity that is down below, take a moment to reflect on the posed questions to help you take the learnings to your design process.
How can you…
• Prevent micro-aggressive statements being used in user interviews?
• Be wary of microaggressions While assigning roles for a team?
• Be conscious of microaggressions while interacting with other teams?
• Mitigate microaggressions while presenting your research?
• Be mindful of micro-aggressive assertions being part of your final design solutions?
• Watch out for micro aggressions during research?