Encounter and Reflect Exercises

Hosted video profiling two women whose relationship is in jeopardy due to one’s immigration status.  Video shows the intersection of GLTBQ issues and immigration.  Facilitator should preview the video for their group of learners.  This video should not be used if the subjects’ being gay will present an obstruction to learning.

Allow 10 minutes for video, at least 30 minutes for discussion
 

This video looks specifically at systematic advantage/disadvantage.  Beginning with discrimination originally instituted in the early years of our country learners will see how this has evolved into vast differences in wealth and opportunity today

Allow at least 2 hours
 

Introduces common vocabulary and definitions for talking about race and racism, very helpful for discussion

Allow at least 40 minutes
 

Reading on the evolution and role of the concept of race in US history as it intersects with immigration.  Learners should have already read the chapter prior to the session.

Allow at least 30 minutes
 

Introduces the idea of racism being communicated by code words in popular media and discourse.  Students should have gathered media ahead of the session or the facilitator should come prepared with examples for the class to use.

Allow at least 40 minutes
 

Introduction to and explanation of the systematic racism worksheet.  This worksheet is a way of uncovering and working against racism in an organization or community.

Allow at least 30 minutes
 

“30 Days” is a television series where individuals spend a month living a life foreign to them.  In this episode, Frank, a member of the Minute Men group, spends 30 days with an undocumented family.

Allow 50 minutes for viewing and at least 30 for discussion
 

Reading on anti-immigrant legislation and organizations.  Learners should come prepared with the article already read or time should be built into the session for reading.

Allow at least 30-45 minutes.
 

One page handout on some causes of immigration, US foreign economic policy

Allow at least 1 hour
 

Questions to spur in depth discussion on international trade policies and their effect on communities on either side, warning: should only be used after thorough education on globalization

Allow at least 45 minutes
 

Article in Sojourners immigration discussion guide on national hospitality, written within the Christian tradition

Allow at least 30 minutes for discussion
 

In this video learners will be introduced to the historical roots of racism and white supremacy.  Building onto the previously learned concept that race is a social construct they will see how the idea of race was constructed to restrict the rights of certain kinds of people in the beginning and growing years of the United States

Allow at least 2 hours
 

Documentary about the recent history of the country of Guatemala starting in the 1940’s to present and profiling a community that has organized to work their way out of the poverty that pervades the nation.

Allow at least 1.5 hours
 

“30 Days” is a television series where individuals spend a month living a life foreign to them.  In this episode, Chris, a laid off computer programmer, spends 30 days as an outsourced worker that he lost his job to.

Allow 50 minutes for viewing and at least 30 for discussion
 

Reading on the sanctuary response to broken immigration policy.  Learners should come prepared with the article already read or time should be built into the session for reading.

Allow at least 30-45 minutes.