THE GAME OF LIFE

THE GAME OF LIFE
The Game of Life is an interactive game designed to teach lessons about discrimination in all its forms. Participants are
given profiles that identify them as members of a particular race, gender, socioeconomic status, and life experience (i.e.
disabled, HIV-positive, ex-convict, gay, lesbian, or bisexual). Participants are not aware of their profile in the beginning.
The facilitators are given a symbol identification page that allows them to "decode" the profile that appears on a player's
name tag. Facilitators treat players in a stereotypical manner according to the profile. For example, upper class, white
heterosexual males are treated best. Someone from the lower class is treated less favorably. This is further exaggerated
according to the player's assigned race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. Assignment of profiles is completely random, as
players pick blank name tags with symbols on them. The symbols represent their profile. In this way, during the game, a
woman may have a male profile, a Black player may be an upper class, white female and so on.
The players' objective is to negotiate certain tasks. These include applying for a degree in a major field of study,
obtaining a university degree, getting a job, buying a car, finding a place to live, and getting a marriage license. Obstacles
are placed in their way according to stereotypical prejudices. For example, a gay man will be prevented from obtaining a
marriage license as it is illegal for gay people to legally marry at this time.
Tasks
The players must complete the following tasks: apply for degree and pay for their college education in one lump sum (at
this point, many players need to apply for and receive a loan from the bank); obtain a house or apartment; apply for and
obtain a job; purchase a car; and obtain a marriage license. After completing these tasks, a player has successfully
negotiated The Game of Life.
The Facilitators' Stations
The idea is not to blatantly discriminate against minorities (based on name tag profile), but to politely give them harsher
treatment than players of the majority race. For example, you may give majority players cuts in line, better prices, and
more smiles and encouragement, while minority players are more suspect of crime, made to wait in line, charged more for
goods and service, and made to re-do and fill out extra forms. Minorities make you uncomfortable, because they are
different from you. Facilitators exchange money with each other during the program, as needed.
University degrees
When Asians apply for degrees, you suggest they go into engineering and are surprised if they are not interested in that
field. Influence her or him to apply for an engineering or math degree. You expect women to apply for education or
nursing degrees, and discourage them from applying for engineering, law or medical degrees. You are somewhat surprised
when a Black person completes her or his education, as you cannot believe that African-Americans cannot make it in
higher education. You may be inclined to give them a more difficult time. If a lesbian or gay man applies for a degree, you
are somewhat disgusted, and may give her or him a hard time. Note on the form the degree granted, and the length of time
it took to complete the education; people from the lower class take 7 to 10 years. Once a degree is granted, direct that
person to the employment office to obtain a job.
Bankers (one loan officer and one teller, if possible)
You carefully watch African-Americans in the bank, as they are suspected of stealing. You do not
trust loan applications from the lower class, because they are less likely to repay the loan. Ask the police to deal with any
problems or suspected problems. Stairs lead up to your bank, so disabled people cannot get in without assistance from
someone else. Male facilitators see women as sexual beings, and make suggestive comments and jokes to them.
Real estate agents
You are reluctant to rent to or sell to lower class persons or African-Americans, because you believe they will lower the
value of the neighborhood. You absolutely will not sell nor rent to an HIV-positive person, and you avoid touching these
people at all costs. You also assume these individuals are homosexual. You treat the upper class nicely, and encourage

them to live in the most beautiful homes. You treat upper class minorities well, but with less encouragement and patience
than the majority. Similarity, you steer the lower class to live together, in ratty homes. You have a hard time finding
affordable, accessible housing for disabled participants.
Car dealer
You sell junky cars to the lower class, which eventually break down and return to you for repairs. You deem home much
time is necessary for repairs, as well as the cost. You adjust the time and cost accordingly; longer and more expensive for
minorities and women, less time for majority players and men. You do not readily have disabled equipped vehicles, but
they can be ordered at considerable cost and time.
Employment Office (personnel manager and administrative assistant, if possible)
Each participant must apply for a job, and you grant them as you deem appropriate. You steer women into jobs in
education and nursing, men into law, medicine, and business. You direct Asians to be engineers. Most minorities should
be directed to low and middle management positions. Disabled participants cannot get into your office because of stairs
and must be helped in by another participant. If the facilitator is male, suggestive comments and sexist jokes are given to
women participants. The accomplishments of women and African-Americans in education are trivialized. You are unable
to find jobs for homosexuals or anyone who is HIV-positive. After a person obtains a job, send them to the bank for 10%
of their annual salary.
Marriage license office
Participants apply and pay for a marriage license here. You are unable to grant a license to homosexuals, as same sex
marriages are illegal. A person who is HIV-positive also does not receive a license and you avoid all contact with this
individual.
Police officers
Police are on hand to maintain the "social order." You watch for people getting into arguments with facilitators, cutting in
line, suspected of stealing money or who otherwise get out of line. Be suspicious of minorities, especially black males, as
they are not to be trustd. Put offenders in jail, and let them out after setting a bail and time you deem appropriate. You treat
lesbians and gay men with disgust, and avoid all contact with HIV-positive participants.
Game Master
This individual serves as "overseer" of the neighborhood. This is best served by a person familiar with the activity. You
clarify the rules for participants and facilitators and help facilitators stay in character for their station.

The Game of Life
Bank
The Game of Life is an interactive game designed to teach lessons about discrimination in all its forms.
The Facilitators' Stations
The idea is not to blatantly discriminate against minorities (based on name tag profile), but to politely give them harsher
treatment than players of the majority race. For example, you may give majority players cuts in line, better prices, and
more smiles and encouragement, while minority players are more suspect of crime, made to wait in line, charged more
for goods and service, and made to re-do and fill out extra forms. Minorities make you uncomfortable, because they are
different from you. Facilitators exchange money with each other during the program, as needed.
Bankers (one loan officer and one teller, if possible)
You carefully watch African-Americans in the bank, as they are suspected of stealing. You do not trust loan applications
from the lower class, because they are less likely to repay the loan. Ask the police to deal with any problems or
suspected problems. Stairs lead up to your bank, so disabled people cannot get in without assistance from someone else.
Male facilitators see women as sexual beings, and make suggestive comments and jokes to them.
Effective Stereotypes:
WOMEN
Where is your husband, did he say you could do this?
How are your children doing?
AFRICAN-AMERICANS Ask them
about gangs Ignore them often
GAY LESBIAN BISEXUAL
When escorting them refuse to touch them
Ignore often
Ask them about AIDS
DISABLED
Help them do everything, give them chairs
Treat them like they are helpless
HISPANICS/LATINOS
Speak very slowly and loudly
Tell them you don't understand and walk away

The Game of Life Car
Dealership
The Game of Life is an interactive game designed to teach lessons about discrimination in all its forms.
The Facilitators' Stations
The idea is not to blatantly discriminate against minorities (based on name tag profile), but to politely give them harsher
treatment than players of the majority race. For example, you may give majority players cuts in line, better prices, and
more smiles and encouragement, while minority players are more suspect of crime, made to wait in line, charged more for
goods and service, and made to re-do and fill out extra forms. Minorities make you uncomfortable, because they are
different from you. Facilitators exchange money with each other during the program, as needed.
Car dealer
You sell junky cars to the lower class, which eventually break down and return to you for repairs. You deem home much
time is necessary for repairs, as well as the cost. You adjust the time and cost accordingly; longer and more expensive for
minorities and women, less time for majority players and men. You do not readily have disabled equipped vehicles, but
they can be ordered at considerable cost and time.
Effective Stereotypes:
WOMEN
Where is your husband, did he say you could do this?
How are your children doing?
AFRICAN-AMERICANS
Ask them about gangs Ignore them often
GAY LESBIAN BISEXUAL
When escorting them refuse to touch them
Ignore often
Ask them about AIDS
DISABLED
Help them do everything, give them chairs
Treat them like they are helpless
HISPANICS/LATINOS
Speak very slowly and loudly
Tell them you don't understand and walk away

The Game of Life
Employment
The Game of Life is an interactive game designed to teach lessons about discrimination in all its forms.
The Facilitators' Stations
The idea is not to blatantly discriminate against minorities (based on name tag profile), but to politely give
them harsher treatment than players of the majority race. For example, you may give majority players cuts in
line, better prices, and more smiles and encouragement, while minority players are more suspect of crime,
made to wait in line, charged more for goods and service, and made to re-do and fill out extra forms. Minorities
make you uncomfortable, because they are different from you. Facilitators exchange money with each other
during the program, as needed.
Employment Office (personnel manager and administrative assistant, if possible)
Each participant must apply for a job, and you grant them as you deem appropriate. You steer women into jobs
in education and nursing, men into law, medicine, and business. You direct Asians to be engineers. Most
minorities should be directed to low and middle management positions. Disabled participants cannot get into
your office because of stairs and must be helped in by another participant. If the facilitator is male, suggestive
comments and sexist jokes are given to women participants. The accomplishments of women and African-
Americans in education are trivialized. You are unable to find jobs for homosexuals or anyone who is HIVpositive.
After a person obtains a job, send them to the bank for 10% of their annual salary.
Effective Stereotypes:
WOMEN
Where is your husband, did he say you could do this?
How are your children doing?
AFRICAN-AMERICANS Ask
them about gangs Ignore them
often
GAY LESBIAN BISEXUAL
When escorting them refuse to touch them
Ignore often
Ask them about AIDS
DISABLED
Help them do everything, give them chairs
Treat them like they are helpless
HISPANICS/LATINOS
Speak very slowly and loudly
Tell them you don't understand and walk away

The Game of Life
Real Estate
The Game of Life is an interactive game designed to teach lessons about discrimination in all its forms.
The Facilitators' Stations
The idea is not to blatantly discriminate against minorities (based on name tag profile), but to politely give
them harsher treatment than players of the majority race. For example, you may give majority players cuts in
line, better prices, and more smiles and encouragement, while minority players are more suspect of crime,
made to wait in line, charged more for goods and service, and made to re-do and fill out extra forms. Minorities
make you uncomfortable, because they are different from you. Facilitators exchange money with each other
during the program, as needed.
Real estate agents
You are reluctant to rent to or sell to lower class persons or African-Americans, because you believe they will
lower the value of the neighborhood. You absolutely will not sell nor rent to an HIV-positive person, and you
avoid touching these people at all costs. You also assume these individuals are homosexual. You treat the upper
class nicely, and encourage them to live in the most beautiful homes. You treat upper class minorities well, but
with less encouragement and patience than the majority. Similarily, you steer the lower class to live together, in
ratty homes. You have a hard time finding affordable, accessible housing for disabled participants.
Effective Stereotypes:
WOMEN
Where is your husband, did he say you could do this?
How are your children doing?
AFRICAN-AMERICANS Ask them
about gangs Ignore them often
GAY LESBIAN BISEXUAL
When escorting them refuse to touch them
Ignore often
Ask them about AIDS
DISABLED
Help them do everything, give them chairs
Treat them like they are helpless
HISPANICS/LATINOS
Speak very slowly and loudly
Tell them you don't understand and walk away

The Game of Life
Marriage
The Game of Life is an interactive game designed to teach lessons about discrimination in all its forms.
The Facilitators' Stations
The idea is not to blatantly discriminate against minorities (based on name tag profile), but to politely give
them harsher treatment than players of the majority race. For example, you may give majority players cuts in
line, better prices, and more smiles and encouragement, while minority players are more suspect of crime,
made to wait in line, charged more for goods and service, and made to re-do and fill out extra forms. Minorities
make you uncomfortable, because they are different from you. Facilitators exchange money with each other
during the program, as needed.
Marriage license office
Participants apply and pay for a marriage license here. You are unable to grant a license to homosexuals, as
same sex marriages are illegal. A person who is HIV-positive also does not receive a license and you avoid all
contact with this individual.
Effective Stereotypes:
WOMEN
Where is your husband, did he say you could do this?
How are your children doing?
AFRICAN-AMERICANS
Ask them about gangs Ignore them
often
GAY LESBIAN BISEXUAL
When escorting them refuse to touch them
Ignore often
Ask them about AIDS
DISABLED
Help them do everything, give them chairs
Treat them like they are helpless
HISPANICS/LATINOS
Speak very slowly and loudly
Tell them you don't understand and walk away

The Game of Life Police
The Game of Life is an interactive game designed to teach lessons about discrimination in all its forms.
The Facilitators' Stations
The idea is not to blatantly discriminate against minorities (based on name tag profile), but to politely give
them harsher treatment than players of the majority race. For example, you may give majority players cuts in
line, better prices, and more smiles and encouragement, while minority players are more suspect of crime,
made to wait in line, charged more for goods and service, and made to re-do and fill out extra forms. Minorities
make you uncomfortable, because they are different from you. Facilitators exchange money with each other
during the program, as needed.
Police officers
Police are on hand to maintain the "social order." You watch for people getting into arguments with facilitators,
cutting in line, suspected of stealing money or who otherwise get out of line. Be suspicious of minorities,
especially black males, as they are not to be trustd. Put offenders in jail, and let them out after setting a bail and
time you deem appropriate. You treat lesbians and gay men with disgust, and avoid all contact with HIVpositive
participants.
Effective Stereotypes:
WOMEN
Where is your husband, did he say you could do this?
How are your children doing?
AFRICAN-AMERICANS Ask them
about gangs Ignore them often
GAY LESBIAN BISEXUAL
When escorting them refuse to touch them
Ignore often
Ask them about AIDS
DISABLED
Help them do everything, give them chairs
Treat them like they are helpless
HISPANICS/LATINOS
Speak very slowly and loudly
Tell them you don't understand and walk away

The Game of Life
University
The Game of Life is an interactive game designed to teach lessons about discrimination in all its forms.
The Facilitators' Stations
The idea is not to blatantly discriminate against minorities (based on name tag profile), but to politely give
them harsher treatment than players of the majority race. For example, you may give majority players cuts in
line, better prices, and more smiles and encouragement, while minority players are more suspect of crime,
made to wait in line, charged more for goods and service, and made to re-do and fill out extra forms. Minorities
make you uncomfortable, because they are different from you. Facilitators exchange money with each other
during the program, as needed.
University degrees
When Asians apply for degrees, you suggest they go into engineering and are surprised if they are not
interested in that field. Influence her or him to apply for an engineering or math degree. You expect women to
apply for education or nursing degrees, and discourage them from applying for engineering, law or medical
degrees. You are somewhat surprised when a Black person completes her or his education, as you cannot
believe that African-Americans cannot make it in higher education. You may be inclined to give them a more
difficult time. If a lesbian or gay man applies for a degree, you are somewhat disgusted, and may give her or
him a hard time. Note on the form the degree granted, and the length of time it took to complete the education;
people from the lower class take 7 to 10 years. Once a degree is granted, direct that person to the employment
office to obtain a job.
Effective Stereotypes:
WOMEN
Where is your husband, did he say you could do this?
How are your children doing?
AFRICAN-AMERICANS Ask
them about gangs Ignore them
often
GAY LESBIAN BISEXUAL
When escorting them refuse to touch them
Ignore often
Ask them about AIDS
DISABLED
Help them do everything, give them chairs
Treat them like they are helpless
HISPANICS/LATINOS
Speak very slowly and loudly
Tell them you don't understand and walk away

The Game of Life
Facilitator Instructions: Marriage
• Ask participant if they would like to be married.
• Verify participants are a male and female (homosexuals and transgender participants cannot be married)
• Participants can only marry one socioeconomic class up or down
Socioeconomic Code Partner's Code
Must be:
A Either A or B
B Either A, B, or C
C Either B, C, or D
D Either C, D, or E
E Either D, or E
• Discourage participants from marrying partners from other classes.
• Illiterate participants are unable to marry, they could not fill out the paperwork.
• Charge couple $700 to be married.
• After participants are married they must "progress" through life together. Tell participants they must stay together
for the rest of the game.
•
The Game of Life
Facilitator Instructions: Lawyer
The lawyer's role in the game of life is to be the counterpart to the judge. You are charged with advocating for the
defendants.
• When someone is sent to jail, it is your responsibility to get them out of jail and bring them to the judge for a trial.
• Wait times for imprisoned participants are as follows:
Socioeconomic Code Caucasians Persons of Color
A < 1 min 1 min
B 2min 3 min
C 3 min 4 min
D 4 min 5 min
E 5 min 6 min
• When bringing participants to the judge for trial, the participant can choose to defend him/herself or choose to
have you represent them. You can charge defendants with whatever fee you feel is appropriate for the crime.
Giving preferential treatment to participants with A, B, and C codes.
• Collect money for trial fees if hired and help convince the judge to let participants off with a warning.
• Occasionally offer pro bono work to D and E participants (once or twice)