3.4 Diversity (Continued)

3.4 Diversity (Continued)

by School Connect

​The Riddle Scale

​The Riddle Scale* is a way to assess how we think and feel about people who are different from us. For each of the situations below, identify where the person falls on the Riddle Scale. Be ready to discuss how you might respond in each situation.

Poll

An old woman with a torn jacket gets on the bus, sits down next to you, and begins to talk about her cats. You think she smells. You hold your breath, get up, and move to the back of the bus.

• Repulsion: Extreme aversion or disgust

• Pity: Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another

• Tolerance: Recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others

• Admiration: A feeling of delighted approval and liking

• Nurturance: Providing of loving care and attention

Poll

The school jazz band is playing at lunch. A special-education student gets up to dance. You and your friends cheer him on

• Repulsion: Extreme aversion or disgust

• Pity: Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another

• Tolerance: Recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others

• Admiration: A feeling of delighted approval and liking

• Nurturance: Providing of loving care and attention

Poll

The local park is putting on a fair that celebrates a culture other than your own. You go to listen to the music and eat some food that is new to you.

• Repulsion: Extreme aversion or disgust

• Pity: Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another

• Tolerance: Recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others

• Admiration: A feeling of delighted approval and liking

• Nurturance: Providing of loving care and attention

Poll

Your family volunteers to host a foreign exchange student for the year. You plan a party to introduce her to your friends.

• Repulsion: Extreme aversion or disgust

• Pity: Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another

• Tolerance: Recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others

• Admiration: A feeling of delighted approval and liking

• Nurturance: Providing of loving care and attention

Poll

You go to a diverse school. You have no beef with people of another color, but you never hang out with them.

• Repulsion: Extreme aversion or disgust

• Pity: Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another

• Tolerance: Recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others

• Admiration: A feeling of delighted approval and liking

• Nurturance: Providing of loving care and attention

Poll

Students at your school fall into two main ethnic groups. Lots of things about the other group bother you. Sometimes you get into fights with them

• Repulsion: Extreme aversion or disgust

• Pity: Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another

• Tolerance: Recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others

• Admiration: A feeling of delighted approval and liking

• Nurturance: Providing of loving care and attention

Poll

You got a music download of a band in a different language. You listen to it all the time and share it with your friends.

• Repulsion: Extreme aversion or disgust

• Pity: Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another

• Tolerance: Recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others

• Admiration: A feeling of delighted approval and liking

• Nurturance: Providing of loving care and attention

Poll

A friend was paralyzed in an accident and now needs to use a wheelchair. You don’t spend much time with him now because you don’t know what to say and he can’t participate in the same activities as before.

• Repulsion: Extreme aversion or disgust

• Pity: Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another

• Tolerance: Recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others

• Admiration: A feeling of delighted approval and liking

• Nurturance: Providing of loving care and attention

Poll

The school district rearranged the boundary lines for your school. You feel badly for some of the new students, because they don’t seem to have much money for clothes.

• Repulsion: Extreme aversion or disgust

• Pity: Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another

• Tolerance: Recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others

• Admiration: A feeling of delighted approval and liking

• Nurturance: Providing of loving care and attention

Poll

You enjoy volunteering in a Saturday-morning program for students who are learning to speak English

• Repulsion: Extreme aversion or disgust

• Pity: Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another

• Tolerance: Recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others

• Admiration: A feeling of delighted approval and liking

• Nurturance: Providing of loving care and attention

Poll

A friend tells you he is gay; you tell him he shows courage in coming out.

• Repulsion: Extreme aversion or disgust

• Pity: Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another

• Tolerance: Recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others

• Admiration: A feeling of delighted approval and liking

• Nurturance: Providing of loving care and attention

Poll

A new kid sits down next to you on the bus. From the looks of him, you probably won’t have much in common, so you listen to your music and look out the window.

• Repulsion: Extreme aversion or disgust

• Pity: Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another

• Tolerance: Recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others

• Admiration: A feeling of delighted approval and liking

• Nurturance: Providing of loving care and attention

Open Ended

How can we develop and show greater respect and appreciation for people who are different from us?