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PROPOSED GROUND RULES FOR DISCUSSION (Sample)

In order to create an atmosphere in which all students feel free to participate, we will determine ground rules for our discussion. We will adapt the following guidelines to fit this group. Please read and let me know whether there are changes you would like to suggest. 1. We will create a safe atmosphere for open discussion. Thus, members of the group may wish to make comments that they do not want repeated outside the room. If so, the person will preface his or her remarks with a request and the group will agree not to repeat the remarks.

2. We will assume that all participants always do the best they can.

3. Acknowledge that oppression (i.e., racism, classism, sexism, etc) exists.

4. Acknowledge that one of the mechanisms of oppression (i.e., racism, classism, sexism, etc.) is that we are all systematically taught misinformation about our own group and about members of devalued groups.

5. We cannot be blamed for the misinformation we have learned, but we will be held responsible for repeating misinformation after we have learned otherwise.

6. Targeted groups are not to be blamed for their oppression.

7. We will actively pursue information about our own groups and those of others.

8. We will share information about our groups with other members of this group and we will never demean, devalue, or in any way "put down" people for their experiences.

We each have an obligation to actively combat the stereotypes about our own groups and other groups so that we can break down the walls which prohibit group cooperation and group gain.

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