How can you help somebody who uses exclusive language to think about what they say and support them to be more inclusive with their words?
If somebody at your school is using exclusive language constantly towards people here are a few tips on how to get them to be more inclusive in what they say.
1. Try to get to know them first to try and understand if there is a reason why they are being so exclusive with their words. Maybe they are having a hard time at home, and being criticised by others, so they take it out on someone else. Discuss with them why they say the things they do to try and find out their motives.
2. If you want to change and influence somebody for the good you need to gain their trust first. So try to get to know them and be their friend. After this (which may take a while) you can start to encourage them with the words you say, hopefully setting an example as a role model so that they can see how words can have a positive effect.
3. If you can get them to stop and think about what they said, they may understand the damage they are they doing to the other person. Ask them to put themselves in the person's shoes and think about how they would feel if the things they were saying were said to them instead. It would be great to get them to apologise to the person they excluded. This may help them to think before they speak, and to be more inclusive in their language.
4. If you are a Christian you can challenge them about what God says about our words and how hurtful they can be when they exclude others (look at separate page for more tips). Challenge them not to use language that excludes people who are different because of their race, age, culture, religion, disability or gender. Remind them that God loved ALL the world so he sent Jesus to save us.
If somebody at your school is using exclusive language constantly towards people here are a few tips on how to get them to be more inclusive in what they say.
1. Try to get to know them first to try and understand if there is a reason why they are being so exclusive with their words. Maybe they are having a hard time at home, and being criticised by others, so they take it out on someone else. Discuss with them why they say the things they do to try and find out their motives.
2. If you want to change and influence somebody for the good you need to gain their trust first. So try to get to know them and be their friend. After this (which may take a while) you can start to encourage them with the words you say, hopefully setting an example as a role model so that they can see how words can have a positive effect.
3. If you can get them to stop and think about what they said, they may understand the damage they are they doing to the other person. Ask them to put themselves in the person's shoes and think about how they would feel if the things they were saying were said to them instead. It would be great to get them to apologise to the person they excluded. This may help them to think before they speak, and to be more inclusive in their language.
4. If you are a Christian you can challenge them about what God says about our words and how hurtful they can be when they exclude others (look at separate page for more tips). Challenge them not to use language that excludes people who are different because of their race, age, culture, religion, disability or gender. Remind them that God loved ALL the world so he sent Jesus to save us.