210 Results

Hate Symbols (In English and en Español)

Tools and Strategies

Table Talk: Family Conversations About Current Events For Parents, Families, and Caregivers | 13 and upTopic Summary We see symbols every day in all aspects of our lives. Symbols are used to convey ideas, qualities, emotions, material objects/products, opinions and beliefs. Unfortunately, symbols are also used to convey hate and bias. Lately, we have seen a lot of hate symbol graffiti in public spaces and specifically the swastika, which in most circumstances is understood as an expression…

March 13, 2017

Distribution of Religious Materials and Proselytizing by Outside Groups and Individuals

Tools and Strategies

For Educators Individuals, including parents, and groups who have no formal relationship to a school (Third Parties) may distribute religious materials, including Bibles, to students outside of school premises. They may also discuss religious matters with students. Third-party materials or publications of a religious viewpoint may be distributed on- campus to the same extent distribution of third-party secular materials is permitted. However, courts have applied different rules to…

March 05, 2017

Release Time Programs

Tools and Strategies

For Educators Release time in the public schools refers to programs in which students are released from school early to attend religious classes off school premises. Participating students must have permission from their parents. Nonparticipating students remain in school. Such programs may be constitutional if the religious classes take place off school grounds, if no public school funds are expended, and if school officials or teachers do not promote program attendance through coercion or…

March 04, 2017

Religion in the Curriculum

Tools and Strategies

For Educators Public schools may not teach religion, although teaching about religion in a secular context is permitted.1 The Bible may be taught in a school, but only for its historical, cultural or literary value and never in a devotional, celebratory or doctrinal manner, or in such a way that encourages acceptance of the Bible as a religious document.2 SPECIFIC ISSUES & QUESTIONS What distinguishes "teaching religion" from "teaching about religion"? Religion may be presented…

March 03, 2017

Westboro Baptist Church

Profile

For Law Enforcement This document is an archived copy of an older ADL report and may not reflect the most current facts or developments related to its subject matter. Introduction The Topeka, Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is a small virulently homophobic, anti-Semitic hate group that regularly stages protests around the country, often several times a week. The group pickets institutions and individuals they think suppor t homosexuality or otherwise subvert what they believe is…

February 08, 2017

The Jewish Defense League

Profile

For Law Enforcement This document is an archived copy of an older ADL report and may not reflect the most current facts or developments related to its subject matter. About the Jewish Defense League The Jewish Defense League, also known as JDL, was established in 1968 for the declared purpose of protecting Jews by whatever means necessary in the face of what was seen by the group’s principals as their dire peril. The founder, national chairman and leader of the JDL was a then-38-year…

February 06, 2017

The Hammerskin Nation

Profile

For Law Enforcement This document is an archived copy of an older ADL report and may not reflect the most current facts or developments related to its subject matter. The Hammerskin Nation is the most violent and best-organized neo-Nazi skinhead group in the United States. A number of its members have been convicted of harassing, beating or murdering minorities. Many popular racist rock bands are affiliated with the Hammerskin Nation, and the group regularly sponsors concerts. Though internal…

February 06, 2017

10 Ways Youth Can Engage in Activism

Tools and Strategies

For Educators Our country has a long history of youth-led movements that brought about significant social change. Young people have advocated for child labor laws, voting rights, civil rights, school desegregation, immigration reform and LGBTQ+ rights. Through their actions, the world has changed. Because young people often have the desire, energy and idealism to do something about the injustice they see in the world, they are powerful agents for change. Our work in education helps…

January 17, 2017

Can We Talk? Tips for Respectful Conversations in Schools, Workplaces and Communities

Tools and Strategies

Being able to have respectful and constructive conversations is the bedrock of any relationship—whether those connections take place at home, school, work or in communities. However, when controversy or conflict arises, the discussions can quickly become polarized, heated and personal, making it very difficult to have a conversation where different points of view are aired and discussed. These conversations can be about something controversial like politics, current events, moral…

January 01, 2017

Let's Talk Politics: Bias, Dialogue and Critical Thinking

Tools and Strategies

Teachers may want to engage young people in conversations about presidential and other elections and provide opportunities for students to learn more, ask questions and understand what they see and hear. Below are tips and strategies for engaging in these potentially contentious conversations in the classroom and doing so with a critical thinking and anti-bias lens. These strategies can also be used with other controversial issues that arise in your classroom. It is critical that students…

September 09, 2016

How Can I Prevent Gender Bias in Young Children?

Tools and Strategies

Early Childhood Question Corner For Educators | For Parents, Families, and Caregivers The foundation for gender identity formation gets established during the preschool years (Derman-Sparks and Edwards, 2010, 91). By age three, although most children can identify their gender, they are still sorting out the concept of gender (Roberts and Hill, 2003). “The support they get or do not get in their preschool years lays the foundation for the rest of their gender identity formation,”…

November 21, 2016

How Can I Plan Inclusive Holiday Celebrations?

Tools and Strategies

For Educators | For Parents, Families, and Caregivers Most people love a celebration! Adults flutter around busily preparing for the festivities. Children are abuzz with excitement. Special foods are eaten, special heirlooms brought down from the shelf. Traditions are passed down from generation to generation. While children should have an opportunity to learn about and share information about the important holidays and celebrations in their lives, celebrating specific holidays in a school or…

November 21, 2016

11 Ways Schools Can Help Students Feel Safe in Challenging Times (In English and en Español)

Tools and Strategies

5th graders posing for a group shot in their classroom

In recent years, we have seen alarming images and biased language in schools and universities: name-calling, hate-filled taunts, vandalism, racial slurs and epithets, offensive graffiti on desks and bathroom walls. In addition, many young people—especially those whose identities have been targeted publicly with words and actions—are fearful and worried. Teachers have had to work overtime to console those students and provide resources to get help. Schools must be places where…

November 16, 2016

How Can I Help Children Appreciate Diversity?

Tools and Strategies

Early Childhood Question Corner For Educators | For Parents, Families, and Caregivers You can help children embrace differences by exposing them to diversity as early as possible. This can be a natural part of everyday living as children develop relationships outside their family. Answer children’s questions about differences openly and honestly as they come up, and if you don't know the answers, seek them out. Another way to ensure diversity in children’s lives is to…

November 15, 2016

How Can Educators Effectively Involve Families in Anti-Bias Efforts?

Tools and Strategies

Early Childhood Question Corner For Educators | For Parents, Families, and Caregivers Incorporating family members into early childhood program’s anti-bias efforts is integral to its success. When children see their teachers value their families’ lives, they develop pride. They also have an opportunity to learn about other children’s families and the diversity inherent in them. Family members can be from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, speak multiple languages and…

November 07, 2016

Responding to Cyberhate

Tools and Strategies

Table Talk: Family Conversations About Current Events For Parents, Families, and Caregivers | 12 and UpNote to Parents/Family Members Because this topic deals with online hate—which young people may see, observe or experience—it is important that you talk with your child about safety and responsibility in their digital lives. You may want to review and consult our Navigating a Digital World: Tips for Youth, which includes suggestions for rule setting, limitations, privacy,…

May 18, 2016

Soldiers of Odin USA

Profile

Read the full report, Soldiers of Odin USA: The Extreme European Anti-Refugee Group Comes to America (PDF). Only months after its formation in Finland, a controversial anti-refugee vigilante group known as the Soldiers of Odin has already found a welcome home in the United States. Its new American chapter, known as Soldiers of Odin USA, has—just since February—already amassed thousands of American members and cheerleaders ready and eager to support the group…

May 02, 2016

Respect is a Summer Camp Essential

Tools and Strategies

Summer Camp Diverse Kids Sitting on Grass

A Guide for Counselors and Camp Administrators For Educators | For Parents, Families, and Caregivers Summer camp is a wonderful time in children’s lives when they get to spend time outdoors, meet new people, have novel experiences and gain insight into themselves. There are about 12,000 day and resident camps in the U.S. and each year more than 11 million children and adults attend camp. According to an American Camp Association (ACA) report, parents cite the following reasons as the…

May 02, 2016

6 Ways to Be an Ally (In English and en Español)

Tools and Strategies

Female and Male Students Holding Cellphones Debating

For Educators | For Parents, Families, and Caregivers | For Students Here are some simple things you can do to be an ally to targets of name-calling and bullying. And remember—always think about your safety first when deciding the best way to respond. 1. Support targets, whether you know them or not.Show compassion and encouragement to those who are the targets of bullying behavior by asking if they’re okay, going with them to get help and letting them know you are there for them…

April 22, 2016

Finding the Balance: Countering Extremism and Combating Stereotypes

Tools and Strategies

Young people are exposed to discussions of extremism every day through social media, news and overheard conversations between adults. As an educators, the topic can be challenging to teach because the situation is always changing and evolving and worse--classroom conversations can themselves lead to stereotyping, bias and bigotry when discussing perpetrators, targets and victims. The following resources will help you teach about extremism while ensuring that the…

April 18, 2016