Similarities and differences
We all have similarities and differences. Our differences make us unique!
However, a person's differences can sometimes lead to Unfair treatment of different groups of people due to factors such as race, gender and disability. .
Watch - Explore the ways people are discriminated against
What is discrimination? Learn more about the ways people are discriminated against.
VOICEOVER: We all have similarities and differences. This is a positive thing! But sometimes, these differences can lead to discrimination.
Discrimination is when someone is treated differently or unfairly for being who they are, or for a particular quality or feature they might have.
In what ways are people discriminated against? Why’s that a bad thing?
CHILD 1: Because of their race, their gender, their hair colour.
CHILD 2: Or if they have a different colour skin to you and if they’re from a different country.
CHILD 1: And look different, may believe in different things
CHILD 2: Who they love, their accents.
CHILD 3: Disabilities.
CHILD 1: Not all disabilities are visible.
CHILD 2: And it’s bad because, doesn’t that mean that you’re different to them? So, you could just swap it around and then they can just do the same thing back to you.
CHILD 3: We all have the same rights as citizens.
CHILD 5: Nobody should get treated less equally because of their differences.
CHILD 4: It might make other people sad and like no one cares about them and everyone should feel loved, and at the end of the day, we’re all citizens, we’re all humans - we’re all the same.
VOICEOVER: Discrimination can be very hurtful and affect people in lots of negative ways. How can we stand up to discrimination?
CHILD 5: By when we see something wrong we can speak up.
CHILD 1: Maybe if it’s at school you can tell a teacher or you can even just go up to the people yourself.
CHILD 2: By calling it out.
CHILD 3: We can make petitions to put forward to the government so that we can end this.
CHILD 4: Lots of people made a stand against discrimination in the past. The suffragettes, who wanted women to have the right to vote.
VOICEOVER: By being more understanding of people’s feelings, treating everyone equally and embracing people’s differences, this can help people avoid making unfair judgements about others.
To help take action against discrimination, the UK Government has introduced laws and rules that protect people. One example of this is the Equality Act, introduced in 2010, and it protects you from being treated unfairly, because of things such as disability, gender or race, for example.
We all have rights to be protected and treated the same way as everyone else.
What can you do to help stop discrimination?
What are some different types of discrimination?
Discrimination takes lots of forms and is often shown through negative behaviour towards a person or group of people.
How do people show discrimination?
Image caption, Prejudice
This is when you have a negative opinion of someone or judge someone unfairly without even knowing them.
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How does discrimination affect people?
Discrimination can be very hurtful and affect people in lots of negative ways.
Look at some of the negative effects discrimination may have on people.
How can we stop discrimination in school?
Discrimination can take place anywhere, even in schools.
The people in charge of schools play an important part in tackling discrimination and inequality. But you can help too!
- Be a communicator - Talking about wellbeing can build trust and highlight problems.
- Support anti-bullying policies - These make it easier to identify discrimination.
- Report discrimination - Tell an adult you trust who can take further action.
- Follow school rules - These guide people on correct behaviour and language to use.
Activities
Design an anti-discrimination poster
You should include:
- What that type of discrimination is
- Why you have chosen to raise awareness of it
- Some ways to stop this type of discrimination
You could add pictures, or any other details to make your poster interesting and eye-catching.
Write a letter to stand up to discrimination
Imagine you have seen someone being discriminated against at your local football club.
To help stand up against discrimination, you decide to write a letter suggesting ways how to stop it.
Use the downloadable writing guide to help you get started.
Discrimination Quiz
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