Materials Required: Approx. 1.5 oz of Diversity Beans per student.

Procedure:

A. Lead the class in a general discussion of types of government. Have the students list as many different forms of government as possible.

B. Divide the class into 6 groups and assign each group a type of government. Suggested types are Democracy, Socialist, Oligarchy, Parliamentary, Communist, Dictatorship, Monarchy, Fascist, etc.

C. Have each group research their type of government, including characteristics, examples, pros, cons, etc.

D. Assign each group a color of Diversity Beans, divide and pass out the beans. List the 6 flavors that are associated with the beans and have the students match up the colors to the beans.

E. Have each group list the attributes of their government on the board.

F. Have the students taste one of their beans. Have the students who tasted the expected flavor for their color raise their hands. Repeat a few times.

G. Lead the class in a discussion of the commonalties and differences between the different types of governments.

H. Have the students compare two governments of each type, ie compare Communist China to Communist Russia, the US to Mexico, etc. Discuss how two governments of the same type can be very different.

I. Ask the students if they can find two governments of different types that seem very similar (England's Parliamentary to the US?, or Cuba's Communist to Hitler's Fascist?)

J. Have the students taste another bean or two. Ask who tasted the expected flavor for their color.

K. Ask the students to explain the apparent discrepancy between the color and the flavor in terms of the previous discussions on types of government. Lead the discussion on stereotyping types of governments. Explain that the list of characteristics developed for each government is a form of stereotyping. Explain that all types of governments have some characteristics of other governments.

L. Ask the students to describe the people living under the various types of governments. Are all people living in the US democratic, or all people in China communist?

M. Lead a discussion on stereotyping people based on their cultural background including the type of government they live under.

N. Lead a discussion on not judging people or governments based on stereotypes. Discuss how some governments that appear to be democratic have human rights abuses, or how some dictatorships have been “benevolent”.

O. Discuss how governments relate to people, and how people and governments should be judged on their actions and not on their label or appearance.

P. Have the students choose another Diversity Bean and ask them their expectations. Have them taste the beans. Ask them if their expectations based on appearance are broken. Remind them to get to know people and governments before judging them.