On Wednesday, 8 November, the third and final workshop in the series took place. The session “Because People Matter! Hate Speech and Homophobia” was conducted by teacher Paweł Domzalski.

The students first listened to a lecture to learn what hate speech is and its main characteristics. They also learned about the roots of hate speech and the mechanisms that support stereotypes. The facilitator drew attention to the consequences of hate crimes and presented the most important symbols of hate speech, including the Celtic cross, swastika, falanga, sowilo rune, triskele and the “no fags” symbol.

While analysing the consequences of hate speech, the students examined German propaganda graphics about Jews that had been created before the Second World War. The question posed was: why did people in Nazi Germany believe such propaganda or similar propaganda, and what stereotypes about Jews were reinforced through comics? What prejudices did they lead to?

The teacher also presented situations showing that the distance from hate speech to genocide is very short.

View photo: Amnesty International Workshops at the School Library of the Comprehensive and Vocational Schools Complex View photo: Amnesty International Workshops at the School Library of the Comprehensive and Vocational Schools Complex View photo: Amnesty International Workshops at the School Library of the Comprehensive and Vocational Schools Complex

The next stage of the workshop involved analysing statements posted on social media concerning antisemitism, appearance and homophobia. Working in four groups, the students analysed source texts and situations that could occur in their immediate surroundings, trying to develop appropriate responses to hate speech. The workshop participants then watched films in which homosexual teenagers, boys and girls, talked about their school and family experiences connected with coming out. This helped bring the problem of homophobia in school and home environments closer to them. They analysed a comic devoted to the issue and completed a worksheet identifying ways of responding to discrimination and bullying.

In the summary, the facilitator initiated a brainstorming session, asking the participants to give examples of actions and behaviours that could support LGB people in the classroom. The students responded very positively to the issues discussed, and further meetings devoted to this subject were planned.