Drama for the treatment of ethnic discrimination and xenophobia in young ecuadorians

Abstract

Immigration to Ecuadorian lands in recent years has caused a regrettable increase in xenophobia. Likewise, the Andean country has always been characterized by the coexistence between the mestizo population and the various ethnic groups, especially the indigenous ones, although on occasions there have also been cases of discrimination against the latter group by mestizos. Health communication is one of the multiple approaches to address this type of violence and specifically those strategies that use drama to raise awareness about these aspects. This study analyzes the development of a university social theater workshop done over three semesters with 50 students in order to treat issues such as xenophobia and ethnic discrimination among youth and adolescents. As a result, various effective dramatic scenes and dynamics were obtained to reduce those topics. It is concluded that these theatrical strategies can serve as a reference in other contexts and under similar methodological approaches if we want to draw on to entertainment, art and education as one more way to raise awareness and sensitize towards this type of violence.