Advisory: 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education (May 17, 2004); On-Camera or Phone Interviews Available 5/6/2004
From: Rose Gabaeff of the Anti-Defamation League, 415-981-3500, ext. 223 or rgabaeff@adl.org News Advisory: WHO: ADL Experts in Fight Against Bigotry Available for Interviews WHAT: Possible Talking Points -- New ADL ONLINE Curriculum, "Looking Back....Reaching Forward: Exploring the Promise of Brown v. Board of Education 50 Years Later." -- The Current Fight Against Hate and Bigotry -- Diversity Training and Anti-Bias Education in schools (preschool through college and for teachers), for Law Enforcement Personnel and in the Workplace WHEN: On May 17 or leading up to anniversary date WHERE: In-Studio or at ADL office, 720 Market Street, San Francisco, Calif. WHY: In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) introduces "Looking Back...Reaching Forward: Exploring the Promise of Brown v. Board of Education 50 Years Later," an online curriculum for high school students that explores the history of school desegregation in the United States and examines current patterns of resegregation in public schools. VISUALS: Famous Norman Rockwell painting, The Problem We All Live With, inspired by Ruby Bridges, the sole African American child to attend a New Orleans elementary school after court- ordered desegregation in 1960. Note: This painting is the focus of discussion in Lesson One of the new ADL curriculum celebrating the 50-year legacy of Brown v. Board of Education. See: http://www.adl.org/education/brown_2004/lesson1.asp Also: Graphics of curriculum on computer screen -- Brown V. Board of Education 50 Year Legacy Celebrated With Online Curriculum for High School Students In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) introduces "Looking Back...Reaching Forward: Exploring the Promise of Brown v. Board of Education 50 Years Later," an online curriculum for high school students that explores the history of school desegregation in the United States and examines current patterns of resegregation in public schools. "The issues raised in this curriculum are ones that students and teachers still grapple with today," said Jonathan Bernstein, ADL Regional Director. "We have come a considerable distance in the fight for civil rights in the United States, and we must keep learning and working together to eliminate bias in education and in society at large." Looking Back...Reaching Forward" is a series of six lesson plans that challenges students to investigate whether segregation is a problem that we once lived with, or still live with in U.S. schools. In addition to providing factual history, the program aims to connect past to present, challenge students to reflect on their own beliefs about diversity, and inspire social action in local schools and communities. -- Lesson 1: The Problem We Still Live With? A Norman Rockwell painting and historical biography are used to introduce students to Brown v. Board of Education and the history of school desegregation. Students are asked to consider whether-50 years later-they think segregation is still a problem in U.S. schools. -- Lesson 2: The Road to Brown Students research historical events that set the stage for Brown v. Board of Education and create a timeline that highlights their significance. -- Lesson 3: With All Deliberate Speed Primary documents, historic records and photographs are used to explore the ways in which school desegregation was implemented in the decades following the Brown decision. -- Lesson 4: Fifty Years Later Students examine statistical data and current events to learn about current levels of school integration and segregation. They participate in a role play that encourages them to explore their own ideas about integration and the value of diversity in school settings. -- Lesson 5: Bringing It Home Students apply their learning about the issue of segregation to their own school community by researching local demographics, reflecting on their personal experiences with social boundaries, and exploring ways to create change in their school. -- Lesson 6: Building Alliances Students explore what it means to be an ally and learn about allies from the Jewish community who worked to end racial segregation in schools. They apply these historical lessons to their own lives by identifying ways to build alliances across differences. The full "Looking Back...Reaching Forward" curriculum is available at: http://www.adl.org/education/brown_2004/overview.asp Contact the ADL Central Pacific Region office, (415) 981-3500. For over 90 years, the Anti-Defamation League has been combating anti-Semitism and bigotry of all kinds. The ADL works to secure justice and fair treatment to all citizens alike and to put an end forever to unjust and unfair discrimination against and ridicule of any sect or body of citizens. ADL's AWORLD OF DIFFERENCE (r) Institute is a leading provider of diversity and anti-bias training and resources. Institute programs provide hands-on training to help children and adults challenge prejudice and discrimination and learn to live and work successfully and civilly in an increasingly diverse world. Learn more at: http://www.adl.org/education/edu_awod/default_awod.asp. |