Power shapes our lives. From everyday interactions with friends and colleagues to debates about the most divisive social issues, power is a key to understanding why people act the way they do. Orangreenia (pronounced "Orange-Greenia") is the only simulation that teaches about the use and abuse of power and unlocks the concept of "intersectionality"—an indispensable solution for making change.
Orangreenia is a simulation, a real-time diversity training activity, in which participants become part of the microworld called Orangreenia.
Participants become representatives of one of three cultural groups within Orangreenia and make key decisions about taxation, charity, emergency subsidies, and schools. Each group has different cultural characteristics, wealth, and access to power. As decisions are made, participants gain a gut-level understanding of what it means to both wield and be subject to societal power.
Orangreenia also challenges participants to test the idea of a "colorblind" society. All the inhabitants of Orangreenia have many characteristics in common—but are those commonalities enough to ensure social equality or even individual communication? This key question of intersectionality, how overlapping cultural identities shapes experience, is another unique component of the simulation.
Orangreenia encourages thoughtful discussion about social power and intersectionality, but people also report that their insights are life-changing, deeply-felt, and long-lasting. Participants learn lessons in societal dynamics that alter their perspectives on why and how they treat others. They have more compassion and empathy, and are more energetic and insightful in dealing with conflicts.
1. Persons and organizations concerned about the use and abuse of power and/or the analysis of intersecting cultural identities.
2. Educators who want students to have an immersion experience in societal power and class structure. Orangreenia can be used for classes in sociology, political science, history, psychology, critical race studies, feminism, and ethnic studies.
3. Businesses that want to help their managers and employees understand how power differences and cultural identity affect performance and motivation in a diverse workforce.
Orangreenia is designed for adults and students in the tenth grade or higher.
Orangreenia takes about 90 minutes to conduct. Later discussion can be between 30 minutes to several hours depending on the depth of the conversation desired. A minimum of 9 and a maximum of 36 persons can participate in a session. Your purchase of Orangreenia allows you to conduct an unlimited number of simulation sessions.
Orangreenia can be set up in about 15 minutes.
We suggest that you supply each participant with a pen and a blank sheet of paper for note-taking or have each participant bring those items to the simulation. Otherwise, all materials needed to conduct Orangreenia are included.
"Orangreenia ingeniously shows how our society operates."—Gary Carswell, Registered Nurse
"I found Orangreenia to be a powerful tool that allows people to experience firsthand how your class determines your expectations, attitudes, strengths and resources. Playing this simulation clearly shows how class differences impact choices and decisions, and creates conflict and challenges between groups.… This game provided me with a clear framework for identifying class-based mindsets and (their) often unspoken rules and values…."—Yumiko Mishima, Executive Director, The Jointure for Community Adult Education
"Orangreenia is a powerful, effective tool to engage people…in cross-cultural/racial dialogue."—Debbie Vermaat, Municipal Court Mediator
"Every teacher and every police department would benefit from Orangreenia. It is an eye opener…."—Brenda Werner, Better Beginnings Day Care Center
"I felt flooded with many different reactions…it was fascinating to hear about others' reactions as well."—Barbara Kuti, Mental Health Program Coordinator
The simulation was developed by the Beyond Diversity Resource Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to diversity/anti-oppression education. Robin Parker and Pamela Smith Chambers, the executive director and training director of the Center, created Orangreenia so that there would be an experiential activity people could use to learn about social power and intersectionality. Orangreenia has been extensively tested and has proved to be a powerful diversity training tool.
Parker and Chambers are known for their high-impact, experiential work in diversity and have received numerous awards and commendations from civil rights, social justice, and government organizations. They designed Orangreenia so that participants will advance their learning, have lots of "aha" insights, and enjoy themselves.
One of the things we pride ourselves on is being small enough to closely interact with the persons who use our services. When you buy Orangreenia, we're available to answer questions and give suggestions about how to use the simulation. Just call the Center at 856 235-2664 or email us at info@beyonddiversity.org
$365 (plus sales tax for New Jersey residents only). Shipping is at no extra charge.
Strong demand for Orangreenia requires us to ask for patience with your order. Please allow two weeks for shipping.