Click for a larger image

Description : Around my Residence Hall, and more commonly on my own wing, I was hearing things like "You're so retarded!" and "That's so Gay!" I elected to approach the situation with a bulletin board that the entire wing would see for two reasons: (1) it was less time consuming than talking to the residents one-at-a-time as I heard the comments, and (2) it allowed the residents that were not necessarily using the words, but still hearing them without combatting them, to understand how those terms can be percieved. The board was largely successful as those terms started to become less common around the wing. It has become a popular bulletin board at my University, as I have had many requests to use it in other halls.

Instructions:

1. I used a black butcher paper background so my colors would stand out.

2. I used a die-cut machine to make red block letters that read: SAY WHAT?! I posted that at the top of my board as a title.

3. I printed the different quotes (attached as file: Say What 1) on brightly colored, fluorescent paper. Each quote was on a different color (they are all typed 2 to a page in the attachment, so you may want to change that in Microsoft Word before you print them if you decide to do the same). After I printed them, I cut them out very jagged so they would stand out.

4. I printed the word meanings and definitions (attached as: Say What 2) on red paper (For the sake of saving paper I put more than one to a page, however I did cut them apart for the board). I left the edges square/rectangular instead of cutting them funky like the quotes. By leaving them on squared off paper, you're allowing the quotes to be what stands out and that's ultimately what grabs peoples' attention.

5. In the very center of my board I put an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper. At the top I had printed: HOW DO THESE WORDS MAKE YOU FEEL? I put a pen on a string and attached it next to the question.

6. I posted the quotes at odd angles on the board and then posted the word's meaning and definition under the quote (I posted the meaning and definition more level). For example: I posted the "How RETARDED" quote kind of tilted up on the right side. Under the quote, I posted the meaning of the word "retarded" with it's definition. However, I stapled that up level.

7. Finally, I stood back and admired my hard work!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Considerations : The comments page in the middle of the board may or may not be an effective element to add to your board. It all depends on the atmosphere of your hall. For example, my hall is an honors hall and my residents were able to have thought provoking conversations on the board. In other halls it would likely have been used to make inappropriate comments or drawings. If the latter would be the case for your hall, consider making an "Alternative Word Bank". You could post alternative words to use that are more intelligent and less offensive that the ones on the board.

Resource Files:

Definitions - PDF DOC
Headlines - PDF DOC