Discrimination on the Menu: Early Grades

Objectives

Activities will help students:

• Define fairness as it relates to their classroom, school, the workplace and society
• Reflect upon the benefits of individual differences
• Explain how the restaurant industry shows discrimination
• Write a letter to an imaginary restaurateur who is discriminating against one or more groups

Essential Questions

• Why do people discriminate?
• What happens when you judge someone based on how they look?
• Should all people—regardless of race, ethnic background, religion, gender, disability or socioeconomic status—have the same opportunities to apply for and be hired for jobs?
• What would you do if you knew a restaurant in your town gave people certain jobs because of the color of their skin?
• Should businesses be allowed to hire based on an image or message they are trying to promote?

Glossary

bias | bīəs |
(verb) To unfairly favor one group over others.

discrimination | disˌkriməˈnā sh ən |
(noun) Treating someone less favorably based on the group, class or category they belong to.Discrimination is prejudice in action.

minority | məˈnôrətē | 
(noun) A group differing (especially in race, religion, or ethnic background) from the majority of a population.

prejudice | prejədəs |
(noun) A negative judgment or opinion formed about a group without knowledge of the facts.

restaurant | rest(ə)rənt |
(noun) A place where meals are served to customers.

stereotype | sterēəˌtīp |
(noun) A mental image or judgment of a group based on opinion without regard to individual differences.

wage | wāj |
(noun) Money that is paid for doing a job.

Additional Resources

National Restaurant Association [1] 

Restaurant Opportunities Centers United [2]

Activities

1. (Challenge students to create a list of three special treats or rewards that they would like to have the chance to earn. Ideas might include a free homework pass, extra recess time, a piece of candy or another special privilege. You may want to have them select from a list that you provide so they don’t suggest something unrealistic. Ask students to stand up at their seats or in a straight line. Call out a physical attribute such as blue eyes, brown hair, height, left-handedness, etc.  All students who have the attribute or ability called out should remain standing. Those standing “earn” one of the special treats. Repeat the exercise a few times so that students realize they are not really “earning” the prizes at all. You will most likely hear cries of “That’s not fair” from students who do not get one of the treats.)
2. After the exercise, discuss:
   • What does the word, “fair” mean to you?
   • Based on that definition, do you think the exercise you just completed was fair? If not, what would have made it fair? 
   • Did those who received the reward “earn it?” Why or why not? 
   • How did the exercise make you feel? 
   • Treats were rewarded based on a physical trait such as hair color or height. Can you think of any other times when someone is treated better or worse because of the way they look? If so, share examples. 
   • What would happen if grades were given out to certain students because of how they looked? What about positions or playing time on sports teams? Or the ability to move from one grade to another?  
3. Divide into groups of three of four. Write down at least two ways that everyone in your group is alike. This could be a physical trait such as eye color or a nonphysical similarity such as a sport, hobby or activity that you like. You may need to talk this through. Then write down at least two ways that everyone in your group is different.
4. In your group or as a class, ask:
   • Was it easier to find ways that you were alike or ways that you were different?
   • What are the benefits of being different from your friends? What would the class be like if everyone was exactly the same?
   • Were there any differences among friends that should determine who receives a different grade, how you should be treated in class or who would get to move on to the next grade?
   • Would you consider that fair?
5. Work with your group members to write one or two sentences that describe what you think a “fair” classroom would be like. Then write one or two sentences that describe what you think a “fair” school would be like. Finally, write one or two sentences that describe what you think a “fair” society would be like. Share answers with other groups. Do your answers include an opportunity for everyone to be treated equally?
6. Do you and your family ever go to restaurants? Which are your favorites? It recently came out in the news that, in many restaurants in our country, workers are treated very differently based on their race and ethnic background. Most jobs in the “front” of restaurants such as waitresses and hostesses are given to white people while most jobs in the “back” of restaurants such as busboys and dishwashers are given to people of color. Those in the front are often given access to special benefits that those in the back are not. And those in the front can also earn more money than those in the back.
7. In your groups ask:
   • Why do you think it might be that restaurant workers are treated differently based on race, ethnic background or education?
   • Do you think it’s fair? Explain your answer. How does this treatment relate to the exercise at the beginning of the lesson?
   • A federal law (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) makes it illegal to discriminate against someone in a job based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Would you consider the above example discrimination? (Note: You may need to review the definition of discrimination.) Based on your answer, are restaurants that are treating people differently based on race or ethnic background breaking the law? If so, what should happen to these restaurants? (Yes, it is discrimination and, in turn, illegal, if a worker or potential worker is not able to apply for or be hired for a certain job based solely on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin).
   • Would you go to a restaurant if you knew that workers there were being discriminated against?
8. Imagine that you found out that a restaurant in your town was discriminating against people who apply for jobs or who work there based on their race or ethnic background. Write a letter to the owner or manager of the restaurant expressing your opinion.

Extension Activities

• Talk with family members about the restaurants where you eat. Do you ever notice if there is a balance of different races or genders among the host or waitstaff? Next time you go to a restaurant, ask the manager if they hire equally based on race or ethnic background.
• Research the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [3], and discover how it changed rights for all Americans and impacted students’ lives.