On October 12, 2016, the RA’s for D building held a one-time event to bring awareness to the common occurrence of people being labeled, more specifically at Stockton University. The event, which took place in a common room in D building, started with an exercise to demonstrate how easy it is to use stereotypes in groups of people. By putting labels on every person’s back and treating them as their label suggests, the participants could learn how even people who claim to never bully are still capable of using negative stereotypes. More specifically, everyone learned how it can hurt to degrade others to merely a label. The activity was repeated in multiple variations, but the reflection afterwards made the reasons for the activity come together. People should not use labels, or act as catalysts in promoting how others are labeled.

After this event, we did a less interactive activity that required a line on the floor. The RA’s would state certain traits people may have, from whether one considers Stockton their home to whether one has been in a relationship that has hurt them. The participants would step over the line for whichever statements applied to them. This was a good way to silently learn about the people around us. While students all talk and learn with the people around them every day, they rarely understand the deeper and more personal aspects of their lives like these.

To end the event on a more positive note, each person received a little jar, which they could put their name on. Then, everyone was given a few sticky-notes and markers. The RA’s instructed everyone to write down positive notes like what everyone is thankful for or looking forward to. Essentially, the jar was meant to be a ‘positivity jar’. The RA’s strongly urged everyone to continuously add to the jars throughout their experience at Stockton. In addition, we were all urged to not only put positive notes in other peoples’ jars, but into jars of those we aren’t well acquainted with.

The night was fun, and slightly Halloween themed. There was candy, pizza, and a movie afterwards, which made the event a lot more social after all of the memorable and educational aspects of the night. Overall, the event was an excellent balance between informational and entertaining. The labeling and jar activities both promoted social interaction and having fun while still maintaining the original purpose of the event, which is to be aware of the dangers of labeling. While the event did manage to get serious at times, everyone was having a lot of fun and seemed to enjoy the activities. The D building RA’s often go above and beyond in their planning and hands-on coordinating, and this wonderful Wednesday night in October was no different.