This activity consists of two mini-activities which have been linked together to enable participants to explore the similarities and differences between them. Each person then designs a motif for a T-shirt that represents their unique identity.

We are all individuals who share a common humanity.
 

Issues addressed

• Personal identity
• The qualities of being human
• Equality and equity

Aims

• To get to know and accept each other in the group
• To share our similarities and differences
• To reflect on the ways in which we form our own identity

Preparation / Materials

• Chalk or tape to mark a line and a list of personal characteristics for part A
• A4 paper, coloured pens and safety pins for part B

Instructions

Part A- Variety:

1. Make sure you have plenty of space and that the room is as empty as possible.
2. Draw a line down the middle of the room dividing it into two halves. Ask participants to stand to one side of the room while you stand on the line. Say, "Cross the line, those who... have blue eyes".
3. After those who have blue eyes have crossed the line to the opposite wall, say another characteristic, for instance, "Cross the line, anyone who… likes listening to hip hop”.
4. Once the group has warmed up, include more challenging characteristics relating to the roles people play in life, their nationality, culture, gender and religion, all depending on the group.

Part B: Uniqueness:

1. What aspects of who you are, of your identity, do you present to others? What do your choice of hair style, the jewellery you wear, your clothes, scars and tattoos mean to you, and what do they say about who you are? Other things about us are not so obvious or we may choose to conceal them (sometimes), for instance, the friends we have, our topic of study or job, convictions, beliefs and ideology, and sexual orientation. Ask the participants to get into twos or threes, and give them 10 minutes to share their thoughts.
2. Together with the whole group, ask participants to think about the T-shirts people wear, and in particular those which in some way proclaim their beliefs, interests or tastes. Explain that each participant is now going to design and make a motif for their T-shirt, which will proclaim them as a unique individual.
3. Reassure participants that they should only reveal what they are comfortable with. If necessary, carry out a mini brainstorming session of what personal characteristics, likes or enthusiasms they might like to include.
4. Share out paper and pens, and give them 20 minutes to create their personal design.
5. When they have finished, ask them to pin the papers onto their shirts and walk around the room so that they can see each other’s designs.

Debriefing and evaluation

• Ask the participants to think about part A. Was there an occasion when everyone crossed the line? How did that feel? Which characteristics did everyone have in common?
• Were there occasions when no-one crossed the line? How did that feel? What sort of characteristics were completely “foreign” to the group?
• Were there occasions when only one person crossed the line? How did it feel like to cross alone? How did everyone else feel? What were the unique characteristics?
• Now think about part B. How did participants decide what to put in their designs? Are some aspects of identity easier to share than others, for instance characteristics such as taste in music or characteristics such as family relationships, where you were born, and class, over which you have no control?
• Are there some aspects of our identity that cannot be seen which would be dangerous reveal? Name some groups who risk being physically attacked because of an aspect of their identity.
• How we see ourselves is often different from how others see us. Reflect on this at the end of part B when you looked at each other’s designs. What feedback would you like to give each other?
• We all show different aspects of ourselves in different circumstances. Do you know anyone who has felt the need to show themselves as being the same or equal to everybody else? In what situation? What pressures were there on that person?
• Do you know anyone who has hidden some aspect of their identity in order to be accepted? What could the consequences be for that person?
• What about on social media? How honest or realistic are people with regard to their online identity?
• Thinking in more general terms, what would life be like if there were no differences between us?
• How are differences accommodated in your locality, work or study place and where you socialise?
• What does the slogan “all different, all equal” mean to you? In what ways are we all equal?

Tips for the facilitators

When preparing this activity, you may find it helpful to read the section about the ‘onion of identity’.

For part A, prepare a list of characteristics appropriate to the group, and according to what you know about the participants. Include the characteristics listed, but also include "curiosities", for instance, “singing in the shower” or “having a pet lizard”, to make the activity more fun. Remember to include a few characteristics that everyone shares by virtue of being a human being.

In part B, we suggest you join in with making your own T-shirt design to reinforce the idea of equality within the group.

When it comes to the discussion about showing or hiding aspects of identity, it may be appropriate to ask in a general way; an individual can always own up and say, “I have experienced…”.

In response to the question about how we are equal, you may like to refer to the UDHR, Article 1: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”.

Suggestions for follow-up

Take action: Organise a session when participants can paint their own T-shirts. They could use their personal designs or create one for a campaign or other issue with which they wish to show solidarity. One suggestion is the issues around intersectionality. Participants may like to raise awareness that not only are there many interacting aspects to identity, but that these may also result in intersecting forms of discrimination.

Move on to another activity: You might like to use ‘Personal heroes’ to look further into what it is in our heroes that we admire. Alternatively, to look at some of the influences that have made us who we are, you could use the activity ‘My childhood’.