The Assumption
Theme: Building awareness, care, and repair around everyday assumptions.
start
You’re part of a group working together on a shared activity. During a casual conversation, someone turns to Samira and says: “You probably know more about this, it’s part of your culture, right?” The comment is said lightly. There’s no obvious hostility. But Samira pauses. Her expression shifts. “I actually don’t,” she replies quietly. The room feels awkward. The conversation stalls. No one has said anything openly offensive — but something feels off.
next
What do you do in this moment?
Say nothing and let the conversation move on
Check in with Samira privately afterward
Gently question the assumption in the moment
Change the topic quickly to ease the tension
Option A – Say Nothing The conversation moves on, but the energy doesn’t fully recover. Samira stays quieter for the rest of the session.
Feedback
Learning Note
next
Option B – Check In Privately Later, you ask Samira how she’s feeling. She says, “I know they didn’t mean anything by it, but it gets tiring being reduced to assumptions.”
Feedback
Learning Note
next
Option C – Gently Question the Assumption You respond calmly: “What makes us think that would be Samira’s responsibility?” The tone stays curious, not confrontational. The person who made the comment looks surprised. “Oh — I didn’t mean it like that,” they say.
Feedback
Learning Note
next
Option D – Change the Topic You redirect the conversation to something neutral. The tension fades, but the moment is left unaddressed.
Feedback
Learning Note
next
As the session ends, the moment lingers. No one brings it up again but it hasn’t disappeared. You notice Samira gathering her things quietly. You also notice the person who made the comment looking uncertain. There’s still an opportunity to respond or let it pass.
next
What feels like the right next step?
Encourage a brief group reflection on assumptions
Talk privately with the person who made the comment
Let it go, it wasn’t meant badly
Ask Samira how she wants it handled
Option A – Group Reflection You suggest a short pause to reflect on how assumptions show up in everyday conversations.
Feedback
Learning Note
start AGAIN
Option B – Private Conversation You speak privately with the person who made the comment. They say, “I honestly didn’t realise how that sounded.”
Feedback
Learning Note
start AGAIN
Option C – Let It Go You decide not to revisit the moment.
Feedback
Learning Note
start AGAIN
Option C – Ask Samira You ask Samira how she’d like to handle it. She says, “I don’t want a big call-out — but it would help if people didn’t assume things about me.” You check in with the group using neutral language.
Feedback
Learning Note
start AGAIN
Well done. Private check-ins can provide validation and emotional support.
Patterns form when moments go unnamed.
Group learning works best when framed as growth, not correction.
Redirecting can reduce discomfort in the moment, but it can also leave harm unresolved.
Peacebuilding means supporting agency, not deciding on someone else’s behalf.
Excellent choice. Centering the affected person respects autonomy and avoids speaking for them.
Private accountability can be powerful especially when paired with future awareness.
Silence is often chosen for safety but it can unintentionally reinforce harm.
Avoidance can feel kind but it often postpones necessary repair.
Staying silent avoids immediate discomfort, but it can leave the person affected feeling unseen or isolated.
Letting it go may feel easiest, but repeated unchallenged assumptions can accumulate over time.
This approach allows learning without public pressure.
This creates shared awareness and reduces the chance of repeat harm. However, timing and tone matter to avoid embarrassment.
Care doesn’t always need to be public but private support alone may not change group dynamics.
Great choice. You interrupted the assumption without blaming or escalating.
Naming assumptions gently opens space for reflection rather than defensiveness.
The Assumption
info- ELN & TIR
Created on December 28, 2025
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Transcript
The Assumption
Theme: Building awareness, care, and repair around everyday assumptions.
start
You’re part of a group working together on a shared activity. During a casual conversation, someone turns to Samira and says: “You probably know more about this, it’s part of your culture, right?” The comment is said lightly. There’s no obvious hostility. But Samira pauses. Her expression shifts. “I actually don’t,” she replies quietly. The room feels awkward. The conversation stalls. No one has said anything openly offensive — but something feels off.
next
What do you do in this moment?
Say nothing and let the conversation move on
Check in with Samira privately afterward
Gently question the assumption in the moment
Change the topic quickly to ease the tension
Option A – Say Nothing The conversation moves on, but the energy doesn’t fully recover. Samira stays quieter for the rest of the session.
Feedback
Learning Note
next
Option B – Check In Privately Later, you ask Samira how she’s feeling. She says, “I know they didn’t mean anything by it, but it gets tiring being reduced to assumptions.”
Feedback
Learning Note
next
Option C – Gently Question the Assumption You respond calmly: “What makes us think that would be Samira’s responsibility?” The tone stays curious, not confrontational. The person who made the comment looks surprised. “Oh — I didn’t mean it like that,” they say.
Feedback
Learning Note
next
Option D – Change the Topic You redirect the conversation to something neutral. The tension fades, but the moment is left unaddressed.
Feedback
Learning Note
next
As the session ends, the moment lingers. No one brings it up again but it hasn’t disappeared. You notice Samira gathering her things quietly. You also notice the person who made the comment looking uncertain. There’s still an opportunity to respond or let it pass.
next
What feels like the right next step?
Encourage a brief group reflection on assumptions
Talk privately with the person who made the comment
Let it go, it wasn’t meant badly
Ask Samira how she wants it handled
Option A – Group Reflection You suggest a short pause to reflect on how assumptions show up in everyday conversations.
Feedback
Learning Note
start AGAIN
Option B – Private Conversation You speak privately with the person who made the comment. They say, “I honestly didn’t realise how that sounded.”
Feedback
Learning Note
start AGAIN
Option C – Let It Go You decide not to revisit the moment.
Feedback
Learning Note
start AGAIN
Option C – Ask Samira You ask Samira how she’d like to handle it. She says, “I don’t want a big call-out — but it would help if people didn’t assume things about me.” You check in with the group using neutral language.
Feedback
Learning Note
start AGAIN
Well done. Private check-ins can provide validation and emotional support.
Patterns form when moments go unnamed.
Group learning works best when framed as growth, not correction.
Redirecting can reduce discomfort in the moment, but it can also leave harm unresolved.
Peacebuilding means supporting agency, not deciding on someone else’s behalf.
Excellent choice. Centering the affected person respects autonomy and avoids speaking for them.
Private accountability can be powerful especially when paired with future awareness.
Silence is often chosen for safety but it can unintentionally reinforce harm.
Avoidance can feel kind but it often postpones necessary repair.
Staying silent avoids immediate discomfort, but it can leave the person affected feeling unseen or isolated.
Letting it go may feel easiest, but repeated unchallenged assumptions can accumulate over time.
This approach allows learning without public pressure.
This creates shared awareness and reduces the chance of repeat harm. However, timing and tone matter to avoid embarrassment.
Care doesn’t always need to be public but private support alone may not change group dynamics.
Great choice. You interrupted the assumption without blaming or escalating.
Naming assumptions gently opens space for reflection rather than defensiveness.