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Reflection Activity: Changing Faces & Places

Objective: To reflect on African American - Immigrant demographic changes.

Materials: Discussion questions.

Time: 90 minutes

Step 1: Divide into small groups of 4 to 6 people each (depending on size of overall group). Select a facilitator. Facilitator’s job is to keep people on track with respect to time and key steps. (5 minutes)

Step 2: Do structured go-around. Have each group member spend up to 2 minutes (without interruption) answering the two interview questions below. Answer the first question, and then do another go-around to answer the second: Feel free to use the “Questions for Further Discussion” in addition to or in place of the interview questions.(15 to 25 minutes)

Step 3: After each person answers both questions, the small group as a whole answers the following questions: What are the similarities
in what was said? What are the differences? (20 minutes)

Step 4: Everyone comes back together as a full group. Each group reports on the points of discussion around which there was the most energy – whether positive or negative
energy. (10 to 15 minutes)Step 5: The group as a whole answers the question: How should our organization respond to these changes? Incorporate new constituencies
(whether immigrant or African American) into existing organizations as members? Build coalitions or alliances with new constituencies? Help new constituencies
build their own organizations where organization doesn’t exist? (25 minutes)

Interview Questions

What is the racial/ethnic make-up of your neighborhood? Do you belong to the racial/ethic majority or minority? How are members of your racial/ethnic group perceived in your neighborhood? How is your neighborhood changing with respect to race?What are some common problems in your neighborhood?

Who is usually blamed or scapegoated for the problems in your neighborhood? Do you think different cultural/ethnic/racial groups in your neighborhood are working together to solve common problems? Why? Why not?

Questions for Further Discussion

1. What’s happening in our state, city or community? What patterns are we seeing with respect to racial and ethnic changes?

2. What’s the extent of our relationship with other constituencies? Do we understand their culture? Do we know who the “players” or “leaders” are among the constituency (both individual and organizational)? How does leadership and power function within the constituency?

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Reflection Activity: Changing Faces & Places