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Remove Social Barriers: The first step is to increase equal opportunity for everyone regardless of social status. Many strides have been made towards this goal. Minorities and women are now able to vote and attend the same institutions and public places as the majority. However, although people are not supposed to discriminate against individuals on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status, it happens all too often. In some cases the media adds to such prejudices by falsely depicting minority men as criminals or lazy, or suggesting women are not capable of being the primary earners in a family. To do away with these stereotypes, individuals must take action.
Make your voice heard on student councils or organize assemblies dealing with social issues
Interact with a diverse group at school
Plan events to celebrate social and cultural differences
Challenge the narrow view of society; talk about diversity issues - all it takes is one person to stand up first.
If you are the first, then others will stand with you
Familiarize yourself with welfare laws and affirmative action policies (preferential admission to higher learning, financial support, employment quotas)
Assist and encourage the social institutions in poor communities
Encourage excluded groups to be more declarative about their interests and needs
Get the support of your community: Support can be the most powerful tool in breaking social barriers. It is important that you are not simply confrontational, but that you fight in a constructive way to change social discrimination. The first step is to educate people about the problem and for this, you may need the help of your school. Also, it can be helpful to have the support of the media resources from which people around you get their information. This will ensure that the information is not biased, in favor of one group (namely the group that funds the media source). Talk to trusted adults in these fields who will MAKE SURE…
The education system meets the needs of students so they feel connected with school, the community and a supportive social network; this fosters feelings of competence.
The curriculum teaches tolerance, justice, compassion & respect for those different from you.
Efforts are made to prevent the media from promoting stereotypes through advertisements, news and entertainment.
Educational and career opportunities are made available to those less fortunate (cost, information, transportation).
Everyone has equal access to policies and material resources; public agencies and state institutions serve all domains of the population evenly.
People can learn to accept others through direct contact with diverse groups.
Group exercises at school help bring diverse people together with a common interest - reading, writing exercises, and discussions held in class to aid with understanding differences, lead to productive and positive regard for others.
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