Humane Educator's Toolbox: Students, Communities Work to Stop Hate, Spread Peace

Image courtesy of William Bender.

The NIMBY (not in my backyard) concept takes a whole new twist with Not in Our Town, an organization which has launched a new documentary and a nationwide educational campaign to stop actions of hate and promote inclusive communities. Their new documentary, Not in Our Town: Class Actions -- which is running on PBS this month -- chronicles the efforts of three communities taking positive action after facing racism, anti-Semitism, and teen suicides spurred by bullying.  Screening and discussion guides are also available.

Even more exciting than the new film is the Not In Our Town campaign, which offers a website full of ideas and resources for educators, students, and concerned citizens. There's a section of lesson plans and ideas for how to use the NIOT site and videos; there are kits and suggestions for starting a NIOT school, campus or community group, as well as profiles of groups and communities taking positive action; and, in addition to grant opportunities for educators to bring the documentary to their schools, there are contests and challenges for students.

With regular headlines in the news about discrimination and bullying in schools (such as this recent story from Rolling Stone), tools like Not In Our Town are important resources for helping communities feel connected and find useful strategies for promoting peace.


~ Marsha

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