“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” —Winston Churchill

Dear Educators,

Every day we encounter uncertainties and meet people who are different from ourselves—in their views, their assumptions, their behavior. And the current economic crisis, presidential election, and upcoming family holiday gatherings may emphasize those differences even more. Are heated arguments or strained silence our only options? What can we do to reach across the divide?

This newsletter offers personal stories and resources for addressing fears and differences and gaining understanding through conversation and courage. And I think you'll appreciate the materials from Teaching Tolerance’s “Speak Up!”: campaign. Its guide can be used to tackle almost any bias.

Share the riches of this newsletter with your students so they’ll know what to do when their mom needles them about their political views or wearing low riders.

Best,

Jing Fong
Education Outreach Manager, YES! Magazine

P.S. Forward this newsletter to teaching colleagues so they too can benefit from YES!

Discovering the Beauty of Teenagers
Interaction between people of different generations is often feared because of misjudgments and stereotypes. Canadian-based photographer John Hasyn faced these challenges by choosing to serve the Inuit youth of Nunavut. See how one moment with a young person changed his perspective forever. This is John’s story.

MORE OF YOUR STORIES: The League of Young Voters. Local food in schools. Student diplomats in Nicaragua. Teaching global warming in a small town.
SEND US your own story to share with our growing network of YES! educators.

Teaching Tolerance’s Speak Up! Responding to Everyday Bigotry guidebook will empower your students to stand up to prejudice.

The Southern Poverty Law Center gathered hundreds of stories from people across the country to capture real-life situations that will have you nodding in agreement, cringing in disbelief, and seething at the audacity.

The good news is that your students not only will learn about the injustice that takes place in homes, workplaces, schools, and amongst friends and neighbors, but they will also learn how to speak up!

Universal Declaration of Human Rights December 10th marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1948, the United Nations created a set of rights for all members of the human race. Help your students understand what rights everyone is entitled to and what standards every government should abide by. RESOURCES :: A User’s Guide to Taking a Stand THE YES! UDHR POSTER :: PURCHASE 11x17" poster ($2):: PRINT PDF version

The Page That Counts Can someone get fined for crossing a street too slowly? Just how much oil does the U.S. consume every day? Dazzle your students with these mind-boggling numbers. Talk Across the Divide New immigrants, a liberal daughter of a conservative farmer, the physiology of caring. Use our discussion guide to explore your students’ opinions and experiences. Story of Stuff :: 10 Little and Big Things You Can Do The financial crisis and approaching holidays may push your “stuff”: radar to hyper alert. Challenge your students with these real-life ideas for action.

Here are lesson plans and how-to resources for coming to terms with false assumptions about immigrants, the current economic crisis, and walls that separate important relationships. Simply put, it’s about addressing fear with clarity and calmness.

What is an American?
As immigrants acclimate to their new home, residents also adjust to their new neighbors. Sometimes differences provoke anxiety and fear. Facing History offers two 45-minute lessons complete with ideas for making an immigrant feel welcome.


Understanding the Economic Crisis
Hedge funds, derivatives, Main Street vs. Wall Street. Is this familiar or foreign terminology to you and your students? The Institute for Policy Studies created a series of easy-to-read talking points on key questions about the global economic meltdown.


Public Conversations Project
With elections and holiday gatherings soon upon us, the Public Conversations Project outlines steps to focus on understanding, rather than the overwhelming desire to persuade. Encourage your students to use their newly acquired skills to engage in an uncomfortable conversation.

Photo by James Scott

What if you abandoned your assumptions and inhibitions to speak to someone you feared or wanted nothing to do with? 19th century French philosopher Ernest Hello says:

“There are those who would quickly love each other if once they were to speak to each other; for when they spoke they would discover that their souls were only separated by phantoms and delusions.”:

Ask your students who that "someone" might be for them, and what they might hope to learn by reaching out and listening.

DOWNLOAD this quote as a poster.

The Winter 2009 issue of YES! Magazine asks what is real happiness and what does it take to find it.

People outside of the teaching profession often wonder why teachers teach. Share your secrets:

What gives you the greatest joy as a teacher?
What sustains your happiness in and outside of the classroom?
And please tell us how long you've been teaching.

If this form doesn't work for you, please email us at yeseducation[at]yesmagazine.org.

We’ll share the most enlightening and inspiring responses in the next newsletter.

Sit with someone new at lunch on Nov 13!
Encourage your students to have lunch with someone outside of their usual group. Who knows? They may make new friends.
Learn more and request free materials.

Laugh, and Learn About Racism
Stand-up comedians Hari Kondabolu and Ahamefule Oluo use comedy to address racism head on.

If Everyone Cared
Nickelback's music video reveals what could happen if everyone cared. You and your students will be moved to step it up and give your time, talents, and care to those in need.

The Power of Words
Can the addition of a few simple words influence people’s behavior? Take a look at the response to the blind beggar’s new sign, a gift from a stranger.

Las Posadas: Un Extraño en la Puerta

Hospitality not only welcomes strangers,
it also recognizes their worth as human beings. Learn how the beautiful, annual ritual Las Posadas teaches the value of inviting people as they are into the shelter of our homes.

Read article in English.

Photo by Adam Britt

Equality Ride: LGBT Road Trip
Breaking through stereotypes on conservative Christian campuses.