GRADE 8: RESPONDING TO HATE SPEECH  NAME 

Scenario B: John    
DATE 

Directions  
Read the scenario below and then think about the Reflect question. 
 
John is an eighth-grader at the local middle school and has a diverse group of friends. One day, one of his closest friends, Cat, discovers an 
Instagram account with John's picture on the profile. She is friends with John on Instagram and knows this isn't his real account. She asks to 
"follow" the account, and when she is approved, she sees what has been posted: a series of memes which show pictures of John with 
homophobic1 slurs written underneath. Many other students at the school are also followers of the account and have also posted 
homophobic comments about John. Cat shows the account to John, who is extremely hurt by his classmates' comments. 
 
Reflect:​ Think about your experiences at your school and what your school is like. Could a scenario like this happen at your school? How 
likely would it be? Make sure to include your reasons when you share. 
 

During the Discussion Round ... 

REMEMBER THE NORMS  THINK CRITICALLY 

1. Speak your truth.  ● Consider other perspectives.​ ​How are your classmates thinking about 
2. Respect others' viewpoints.  this differently from you? How does that affect your opinions and ideas? 

3. Don't interrupt.  ● Question your assumptions. ​Are any of your ideas based on stereotypes? 
Why do you think what you think? 
4. Disagree respectfully. 
● Consider how those involved might feel or think. ​What would you think 
if you were the person posting the messages? What if you were the target? 

1
homophobic​: derogatory or insulting based on someone's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity 
 

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GRADE 8: RESPONDING TO HATE SPEECH  NAME 

Scenario B: John    
DATE 

Exit Ticket 
1. If a scenario like this did happen at your school, how would you react? What actions would you take? Why? 
 

 
 
 
2. What challenges might there be to doing the actions you describe above? How could you address those challenges? Are there 
alternative actions you could take? 
 

 
 

commonsense.org/education  
Shareable with attribution for noncommercial use. Remixing is permitted.  
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