Put the following quote on the board: "We are good at picking out people who are different from us. Our instincts tell us they are a threat." (Matt Harding) Discuss with the students whether in their own experience they think this is accurate. Matt Harding states that at one time this was a survival instinct, but today, we have to deliberately override this instinct in order to connect with people. Discuss the benefits and dangers of seeing difference as a threat.

Each of us has unique attributes that make us who we are and come from how we look, our experiences, and our culture. Define culture as "the shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterize a group." We gain our identity from our traditional culture (race, ethnicity, religion, heritage, family) and popular culture (technology, generational differences, social networking, media, and physical surroundings).

Brainstorm a list of traits that make up our individual identities (interests, hobbies, family relationships, culture, foods we eat, language, how we dress, what we do well, skin and hair color, body size, age ...).

Say, "When we look at all the factors that influence us, it is easy to see why we have so many differences from each other." Discuss how respecting personal differences honors the experiences, culture, and heritage of different people. Discuss why respecting cultural differences is important in our community and world.

Give each learner three or four index cards. They write one per card their unique and positive traits/beliefs/traditions about themselves that they feel are directly related to their cultural heritage (race, religion, family values, ethnic heritage). They write each trait neatly in a sentence on an index card but put no name on the card. (e.g., My family eats dinner together each night so we can talk. I visit my grandparents in Bosnia each summer. We light candles on our holy days.)

Display all of the index cards in a common area where they can read one another's responses. Give them time to walk around and read the cards respectfully, looking for similarities and differences.

Reflection:

• In what ways are diversity and uniqueness a strength and benefit to our society?
• In what ways are we similar?

Play an audio clip from a radio show called "This I Believe." In this episode, they will hear from Matt Harding who created a video of himself dancing with people around the world. Tell them to listen for the main idea of the broadcast - What does Matt Harding believe?

Discuss Matt's idea that people want to feel connected.

• What does it mean to feel connected? Disconnected?
• How is this related to respecting cultural differences?
• What is the best way to respond when we see someone who seems different?