What does a hat say?
As I walked out on the porch this morning, holding my cup of coffee for warmth, the cold air hit my head and ears and made me wish I was wearing a hat. This caused me to think back about when I was teaching and I had a session on profiling and hats. The purpose of this class was the point out all the different prejudices people have when they see a different hat even on the same person. I am challenging you to try this with some friends. A small group of five or 10 will do. I think you’ll find it very interesting in the different answers that you would get from a group of people you know, when they see others wearing different hats. It would help if you had several hats ready to either put on yourself or ask one your friends to model while you are conducting this class. It is best to let the class know that there is no right or wrong answers, the purpose of the class or the gathering, is to hear what the people around you think when they see a hat on someone. I think you will be amazed.
After you begin I would restate that there are no right or wrong answers, start with the simple baseball hat.
Start by placing the hats squarely pointed with the bill facing forward. And asked the group what they think the person is like wearing the hat. Then turn the hat around backwards so the bill is facing behind you. Now ask what they think of the person wearing this hat. Now take that and twisted so it faces to the left or the right canted slightly. Ask again what they think of the person wearing this hat. Not take a second baseball cap where the front bill is flat. Now go through the same three poses or positions as before.Then change the hat. This time use a cowboy hat.
There are many to choose from but I would usually bring just two styles. I put the hat on your head squarely and asked the question, what you think the person is like wearing this hat. Changeto your second style of hat.
Ask the same question again. If you have enough time be sure to ask for each student to give their opinion on the hats. Now let’s make another change.
(there is suppose to be a picture of a snap brim here)
It depends on what area of the country you’re from as to what the hat is called. In my area it was called a snap brim because there is a small snap on the end of the bill that connects to the loose material on the hat that gives it the above appearance. Now place this on you or your volunteer’s head squarely facing forward. Asked the class what they think. Now turn that had around and asked the same question. I think you’ll find that there are so many comments which will lead to some sort of debate even confrontation that you will run out of time after work or just three or four hats.
No matter what hats you use or how many hats you use, I think you’ll find the responses from the people in the group quite entertaining if not amazing. As much as people say they do not have any prejudices or they do not profile people by what they look like, put a hat on and ask the questions.
As for me I continue to wear my baseball hat, straightforward and square. I wear my cowboy hats with large brims. I wear a knitted hat when it’s really cold. I do not sport a dew rag or welders cap In public. I do not own a short brim. That does not mean to say this someday I might not buy one just for fun. Especially on occasions like St. Patrick’s Day..
So I challenge you to have some fun with the hats and your friend or your class. Remembering there are no right answers This is a way to reveal how different cultures and different people read the hat.
pops
SeanSumner.blog 