Taking a Stand Against Prejudice  & Discrimination    Sometimes people are mean to those who seem different.   Maybe they think everybody has to act a certain way to be cool.  Or maybe they feel scared or angry about people who are different (about the things they do, the way they look).   Treating people unkindly because they are different is called prejudice.   Being the victim of prejudice doesn't feel good.  Being stared at or called names (or being left out of the fun) hurts.  Being the victim of prejudice can make a person feel very sad and very angry.  And, sometimes prejudice leads to terrible violence.  People have been killed just for having skin that is darker (or lighter) than another group's -- or for having a religion that another group doesn't like.  Prejudice has created a lot of sadness in the world. But just as bad, prejudice keeps us from working together to get things done.  If we can't get along, we can't cooperate, and we can't help each other, or share our ideas.  The thing about being different is that being different can help us come up with ideas that no one has ever had before! And really.. if you think about it... EVERYBODY is different!   So... what if we decide to see our differences  as gifts to share with each other?  And what if we could try to focus on what we have in common -- on the dreams and hopes that we share.  Maybe we could learn to work & play together-- and have more fun!      Thailand     People can be different in all kinds of ways. But differences can be fun! Ecuador   When we do get upset by differences, the important thing to focus on is not "who's way is right", but how can we live together peacefully:    One way to help us live peacefully together... is to look for the good in other people and in their way of living -- this is also called "appreciating diversity".      Another is to learn positive ways to cope with our own strong feelings, the feelings we have when we disagree with other people. Feelings such as fear, shame, or anger can cloud our thinking, and influence us to make choices we later regret.   We can also learn how to resolve conflicts -- this means, working out our fights and disagreements without hurting each other.  And without hitting or name calling or trying to embarrass the other person.   Also, we must learn how we can get our needs met and be safe -- so that we can feel okay -- while letting other people be just who they are.    Finally, we must all make the commitment not to hurt each other (or ourselves) for being different. We must know, there is a better way.           Links   Appreciating Diversity:   Cnn Black History Month Page  Excellent articles and links!     Chicago Children's Museum The project against prejudice.     Resolving Conflicts / Positive Ways To Cope With Feelings   Things To Do If Someone Bigger Starts To Hurt You How to cope with bullies! Groups To Help Us Work It Out A listing of groups with great information about helping kids learn to work things out peacefully. Some groups can be contacted via email or website, others by phone or letter writing.   Resolving Conflicts   Rules For Getting Your Mads Out How to deal with angry feelings... without hurting yourself or others!       Make A Commitment Not To Hurt Each Other   Excerpts From Slave Narratives First hand accounts from slaves and slave traders. Edited by Steven Mintz, University of Houston. Sobering food for thought about where prejudice has sometimes led our species. Prejudice And Tolerance Visit this The More You Know site to see video clips on this topic by famous television personalities like Kristen Johnston & Joseph Gordon-Levitt (3rd Rock From The Sun), Megan Mullaly & Sean Hayes (Will & Grace), and Alex Kingston (ER).  Be sure to check out their information on bullying as well.       Resources Just for Parents & Teachers   Cultural diversity Links from the Busy Teachers site. Great for surfing with your favorite grown-up.   What to Tell Your Child About Prejudice and Discrimination From the Anti-Defamation League.  Also, don't miss their advice on What Parents Can Do About Prejudice.     Facing Ourselves, Lessons & Units History isn't always pretty.  For help teaching your students about some of the uglier moments in human history, check out these top notch lesson plans and resources.   Facing Ourselves is a premier educational organization that aims to teach young people about the evils of prejudice, so that tomorrows leaders and citizens can make better choices.       Back to Kids Can Change The World