K.I.D. Campaign

K.I.D. is a campaign to promote random acts of kindness across all races and ethnic backgrounds, ultimately promoting diversity in communities. The name of this campaign can be interpreted differently. One as just being the name, or because at heart everyone can be a “kid” and it only takes one to make a difference. K.I.D. stands for Kindness, Inter- racial, and Diversity. This campaign was designed and implemented by Jane Gold, a GenHERation member and the winner of the Wharton Future of Advertising Challenge.

This campaign will run the last week of April (28-2) 2014 and be done primarily through social media and participant out-reach.

Campaign purpose: This week long campaign, K.I.D., will educate this community on what it means to deliver an act of kindness and the chain reaction and happiness that it brings. Through this campaign, participants will perform acts to and with those whom are different racially, socioeconomically, or ethnically. The end goal of this campaign is to create a community where diversity and interracial relationships are valued and where acts of kindness are embraced.

Steps to achieve end goal: Each letter in the campaign name is a progression to the end goal. The first step is educating and giving tools on how to implement random acts of kindness in a persons’ everyday life. Step two, inter-racial, combines the first step in pursing acts of kindness to those who are different. It is important to eliminate any sign of superiority, acts of kindness are not done out of pity. Step three, diversity, is the end goal of the campaign. By participating in random acts and embracing diversity and not shying away from those who are different, a more diverse community will begin to form.

Each day of the week will be dedicated to one facet of the K.I.D. mission. To participate in the campaign, please leave a comment (specify the day) and describe how you fulfilled the day’s objective.

We encourage you to document your daily activities on social media using #KIDCampaign, #GenHERation, and #WhartonFoA.

Monday April 28 (day 1 of campaign): dedicated to the education of what ‘random acts of kindness’ is in the scheme of interracial relationships.

• Definition: a random act of kindness is performed by a person or a group of people seeking nothing in return. They do this act because it is the right thing to and because they want the person to know that their work or presence is noticed and appreciated.
• Activity: After learning or being reminded of what a random act of kindness is, think about an act that you have done unconsciously. There are two main kinds of random acts of kindness; an unconscious act where a person does it without prior knowledge of what they will do or deliberate, where the person performing the act knows what they are going to do and prepares for it; however, the person receiving the act is unaware and is taken by surprise. For today, pursue a simple, but effective act of kindness. Hold the door to the dining hall or of a classroom from everyone walking in behind you. Most people will prop it open and then the person behind them catches the door and so on. Or make an effort to say thank you to a bus driver or a cleaning staff. A simple thank you can go a long way.

Tuesday April 29 (day two of campaign): dedicated to performing acts of kindness revolving around people you see every day.
• In order to achieve any goal, you must start small to get accustomed and practice the activity or plan. On this second day of the campaign, we will give the community ideas on how to perform a large a random act. Since the day before, was small and did not require much work or preparation, we are ready to jump in and make a bigger difference.
• Activity: Think of where you go on a daily basis. How do you get there? Who do you pass on your way? If you take public transportation, it may surprise you that most people do not acknowledge the bus driver. If you take a bus to get from class to class or to work, consider doing something nice for the driver. Make an effort to say “hello” and “have a nice day.” Take this one step further. Stop by a local coffee shop and get the person a gift card, give it to them and tell them something kind. For example, how you would always be late to class if it was not for that bus route. On this day, focus on those in your community that are not always recognized for their contributions. The kitchen staff, security guard or cleaning staff all play an important role in all communities. Even if a person is older or younger, it does not matter. Keep in mind that age is a component in a diverse community!

Wednesday April 30 (day three of campaign): dedicated to educating the community on diversity and the barriers and stereotypes that accompany it.

• Definition: Diversity-A diverse community is one that has a wide variety of people all bringing something different to the table and can possess characteristics that set them apart from others.
• Activity: It takes a certain, open-minded person to embrace and work towards and create more diversity. Keep in mind, like the campaign name implies, it only takes one person to make a change in a community. There are many misconceptions about different racial/ ethnic/ sexual/ socioeconomic people. For today’s activity, we ask that you familiarize yourself with certain terms: prejudice, discrimination, classism, sexism, bigotry and stereotype. Think about people in your community, your friends, and your peers. What groups have been discriminated against? What stereotypes do you hear often about a certain group of people? Put yourself in their shoes. Sometimes extremely difficult, but pledge to yourself that you will get to know a person before jumping to conclusions. By familiarizing yourself and making yourself aware, you may be able to catch yourself stereotyping or catch one of your peers, stand up for that group of people. Keep in mind that to create a diverse community, there is going to be people different than you, but if you keep an open mind and try to learn and associate with different people, a diverse community can be in your future!

Thursday May 1 (day four of campaign): dedicated to performing random acts of kindness to people that you normally do not associate with or spend time with.

• It only takes to one person to make a chance. People tend to get into a habit where they find one group of friends that they spend the majority or their time with, they have one specific study group, sit with the same people, and sometimes even at the same table each day. Part of diversity and even random acts of kindness is inclusion. There cannot be a diverse community if people are left out or if you stay confined in your specific “clique.”
• Activity: Today is about random acts of kindness to those whom you may not normally spend time with, leading to inclusion and ultimately to a diverse community. Make an effort to have a conversation with and get to know a classmate you may not have had the chance to before. In the dining hall, invite someone new to sit with you or invite someone to join a study group for the week. Even better, you can form a new study group made of students of different ethnic backgrounds. Not only will this help create a diverse community, but it can also help you in the classroom. Different people interpret things differently. By working with a group of students that are different than you, you may be able to learn something new or understand something better.

Friday May 2 (final day of campaign): dedicated to tying up loose ends and giving students the tools to continue these acts in everyday life.
•After this week, each participant should understand what and how to purse a random act of kindness. In order for a diverse community to remain, these practices must be continually applied.
•Activity: For this final day, talk with your classmates about the activities you have completed this week. Reflect back on day one and what you have learned each day following. How can you continue these practices? You can join a student organization that is involved in similar ethics or create a diversity team! A continuous theme throughout this week was that it only takes one person to make a difference. Be that one person and start a change. If you apply these acts and lessons in your everyday life, others will you see what you do and hopefully join along.
Thank you participating in K.I.D. week. Hopefully the activities introduced new practices that you can easily incorporate into your everyday life. Keep up the acts of kindness and promoting diversity!