Learning Objectives:

• To promote empathy and connection among participants
• To illustrate the power of arbitrary rules
• To encourage committed action guided by chosen values

Materials:

• Facilitator’s Guide 2.6.1: Diagram for space arrangement
• Facilitator’s Guide 2.6.2: Case scenario cards
• Signs labeled “Station # ” to be placed on the walls (see Facilitator’s Guide 3). The number of signs required depends on the number of marginalized statuses used in the game. A minimum of six stations and a maximum of eight stations are recommended.
• A set of differently colour-coded cards and white envelopes. The number of cards should correspond with the number of participants in the group learning session. The idea is to have half of the cards be white (representing privileged statuses) and the other half of the cards be different colours (representing different marginalized statuses).
• Do NOT inform the participants about the significance of the different colours of the cards.
• A bell to capture participants’ attention during the game

Time Required: 45 minutes

Activities & Instructions

Set-up:

• Arrange all the chairs in a large circle and ensure that there is sufficient space in the centre for participants to move around and interact safely and comfortably; also, to have sufficient space for participants to stand at the assigned stations outside of the circle (see Facilitator’s Guide 2.6.1 for space arrangement).
• Prepare colour-coded cards for participants as described above.
• One facilitator reads directly from the colour-coded card scenarios, the co-facilitator to assist with card distribution, ringing the bell and ensuring participants follow the facilitator’s instructions.

Instructions to Participants:

• Facilitator says, “We are going to give you different coloured cards. We will randomly distribute one card to each one of you. Please do not ask the significance of the different colours; part of the game is that you do not know until we tell you.”
  • (Distribute cards to participants randomly.)
• Facilitator continues, “Now we would like to invite you all to enter the circle in the centre of the room and mingle. When you hear the bell, please stop and listen for further instructions.”
  •  (After participants have mingled for 10 to 15 seconds, Facilitator #1 rings the bell to capture participants’ attention.)
  • (Facilitator reads the description of colour-coded card #1, beginning with “If you are holding a [e.g., blue] colour card, this is about you,” and ending with “Do not allow anyone else into your station.” )
• Facilitator says, “Those of you inside the circle, continue to mingle until you hear the bell sound and further instructions.”
  • (Repeat the above process until the descriptions of all the colour-coded cards have been read out except the white envelopes and all the participants with those envelopes have been sent to the different stations around the room.)
  • (Now read out the description of the privileged identities/statuses represented by the white envelopes, and instruct the participants holding these envelopes to stay and mingle within the circle.)
• When all the cards have been read, facilitator says “Now you may go back to your original seats and let us debrief our experiences in doing this exercise.”

Debriefing Questions

1. Ask the participants to share their experience in doing this exercise.
   Probes:
   1. What was it like taking part in this exercise? How did you feel?
   2. What came to your mind when you were sent away from the circle?
   3. What came to your mind when others were sent away from the circle?
   4. What came to your mind when you were kept in the circle?
2. Questions to promote critical reflection and emancipation dialogue:
   Probes:
   1. Why did you leave the circle when you were asked to?
   2. How many of you wanted to resist the instructions? What happened?
   3. What did you notice about the people outside the circle? What could have been done about the situation?
   4. If you engage in this exercise again, would you play the game differently? How?

Key Summary Points

Stigma creates and perpetuates social exclusion and suffering. Our action or inaction are often related to our own sense of identity, social conditioning, and our relationship and access to societal power and privileges. Common reflections shared by previous participants include: (prompt the participants to reflect on similar points as needed)

• The voice of authority made participants feel they need to obey;
• The fear of being ‘kicked out’ of the circle kept participants docile and silent instead of speaking out;
• Participants who were instructed to leave the circle, upon reflection, felt they could have and should have reached out to each other at the different stations to become a collective force;
• Participants left inside the circle often did not enjoy their ‘privileges’ any longer; they did not like the arbitrary unfairness associated with social exclusion.
• Participants through this experiential learning developed empathy for each other, including those left inside the circle.
• The reported outcomes of this exercise suggest that compassion is a human quality and value that we can tap into to promote collective committed action towards social change and justice.
• With more mindful awareness and attunement to our values, we can stop the automatic following of arbitrary rules that discriminates and marginalizes people.

Source:

Wong, J. P. & Li, A. T. (2015) The Exclusionary Circle Game: A tool to promote critical dialogue about HIV stigma and social justice. Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 91(3), 431-438.

Facilitator’s Guide 2.6.1 – Descriptions of Marginalized and Privileged Identities

Facilitator’s Guide 2.6.2 – Case Scenario Cards

Descriptions of Marginalized and Privileged Identities

Important Note:

In this Facilitator’s Guide, there are ten case scenarios of marginalized identities (linked with different colour cards) and two case scenarios of privileged identities (linked with white envelopes). Depending on the number of participants in the training session and the communities the participants identify with, facilitators may select 6 to 8 case scenarios of marginalized identities, and/or adapt some of these scenarios to increase their relevance. At the same time, it is extremely important to ensure that the selected/adapted scenarios address critical issues associated with colonization, racism, gender-based violence, transphobia, homophobia, ethnic-based discrimination, exclusion of immigrants, and HIV stigma, etc. The locations of the city and country mentioned in the scenarios should be adapted to reflect the local context where the training takes place.

1. Colour: Red

   If you are holding a red card, this is about you. You were trained as an engineer in your country of origin. You had ten years of professional experience before you immigrated to Canada two years ago. You tried to find work in the engineering field in Toronto and you have not been successful. You are currently working as a part-time sales representative. You feel discouraged and worried about your future. If you are holding a red card, leave the circle and go to Station #1. Stay there and do not accept anyone else into the station.

2. Colour: Deep Blue

   If you are holding a deep blue card, this is about you. Your father has frequent outbursts of anger. Whenever he is angry, he beats your mother and yells at you. Last week your father went into a rage again. Your mother took you and your little sister to a shelter. You now have to attend a different school near the shelter. You feel embarrassed about telling your new classmates where you are living. If you are holding a deep blue card, leave the circle and go to Station #2. Stay there and do not accept anyone else into the station.

3. Colour: Pink

   If you are holding a pink card, this is about you. You are 15 years old. You are gay. You have been bullied at school since Grade 4 for being different. You have tried to talk to your parents about your sexuality, but they always change the topic. You feel anxious when you go to school; you cannot stand how other students have been making fun of you. You have decided to drop out of school. If you are holding a pink card, leave the circle and go to Station #3. Stay there and do not accept anyone else into the station.

4. Colour: Sky Blue

   If you are holding a sky-blue card, this is about you. You are 30 years old. You were born and raised in Toronto. Your mother was born in Fort Albany. She is a survivor of residential school; after she left school she moved to Toronto. When you were growing up, poverty was a big challenge for you and your mother. Although you are familiar with your extended family in Fort Albany, you rarely visit them due to the cost of transportation. During the Truth and Reconciliation Hearing, you heard for the first time the maltreatment that your mother and her brother had endured. Although your uncle was not sexually abused, he was treated harshly. One time he got sick and threw up on the porch of the school, he was made to eat his vomit. If you are holding a sky-blue card, leave the circle and go to Station #4. Stay there and do not accept anyone else into the station.

5. Colour: Orange

   If you are holding an orange card, this is about you. You are a 12-year-old of East Asian background. When you watch TV or movies, it really bugs you that most East Asian characters are portrayed either as “nerds” or “Asian gangsters.” Although your parents were born in Canada, people always ask you where your parents were from. Your teachers at school expect you to do well in math and ignore you when you try to make it on the football team. If you are holding an orange card, leave the circle and go to Station #5. Stay there and do not accept anyone else into the station.

6. Colour: Purple

   If you are holding a purple card, this is about you. You are a transgender woman. Your family disowned you when you came out to them about your gender identity. When your employers and co-workers found out that you are a trans-woman, they used different excuses to prevent you from getting a permanent job. You moved to downtown Toronto because you feel unsafe on the streets in suburban areas. One time, you ran out of money and had to stay at a women’s shelter, but the fellow residents harassed you; they called you names and wanted to send you away. If you are holding a purple card, leave the circle, go to Station #1, and ask – “Can I join you?” Once you are rejected, move on and go to the next station to ask if you can join. Again, you will be rejected. Keep moving to the next station until you get to Station #6 where you will stay. This is a reminder that all those in Stations #1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are not to accept anyone else into your own station.

7. Colour: Light Green

   If you are holding a light green card, this is about you. You are a 16-year-old of Black African background. When you entered high school, everyone at school told you to join the basketball team, even though you were really interested in the Science Club. Every time there is a report on neighborhood gun violence on the news, other students would ask if you know the victim. You are tired of being watched by the sales people when you and your Black friends go shopping at the upscale malls. If you are holding a light green card, leave the circle and go to Station #7. Stay there and do not accept anyone else into the station.

8. Colour: Yellow

   If you are holding a yellow card, this is about you. You are a new immigrant. Your spouse is seven months pregnant. You arrived in Toronto with your spouse last week. You found out that there is a three-month waiting period before you are able to access the Ontario Health Insurance Plan. You cannot afford to pay for an appointment with an obstetrician. If you are holding a yellow card, leave the circle and go to Station #8. Stay there and do not accept anyone else into the station.

9. Colour: Dark Green

   If you are holding a dark green card, this is about you. You are a 16-year-old of South Asian background. When you entered high school, everyone at school told you to join the cricket team, even though you were really interested in football. Every time there is a news story on the so-called “honour killing,” other students would ask if you know the victim. Some of your classmates also wanted to know if you would have an arranged marriage once you finish school. If you are holding a dark green card, leave the circle and go to Station #9. Stay there and do not accept anyone else into the station.

10. Colour: Brown

    If you are holding a brown card, this is about you. You grew up with strong religious beliefs and affiliation. After you immigrated to Canada two years ago, you have continued to be an active member in your church. Being a new immigrant, you rely on the social network and support at church. However, you are not able to disclose to your church leaders or other church members that you are living with HIV. The strong doctrine of purity and moral living makes you feel judged and ashamed. If you are holding a brown card, leave the circle and go to Station #10. Stay there and do not accept anyone else into the station.

11. Colour: White Envelope

    If you are holding a white envelope, this is about you. You are 16 years old. You have many friends at school. In the last two weeks, you noticed that one of the boys in your class stopped coming to school. He was a quiet guy; he seemed nervous whenever he had to speak in class, and he could not stop shaking his legs when he sat in class. But he seemed to be a kind person. You wonder if he dropped out because your classmates were calling him a ‘freak.’ You also wished you had stood up for him when other students were bullying him. Since you are holding a white envelope, you get to stay in the circle. You can continue to mingle.

12. Colour: White Envelope

    If you are holding a white envelope, this is about you. You live in an affluent neighbourhood with your wife and two sons. You seldom worry about your sons being stopped and searched by the police. You also do not have to worry about being shot in your own neighborhood. You are pleased that your oldest son has been accepted to study law at the University of Toronto. Since you are holding a white envelope, you get to stay in the circle. You can continue to mingle.