Racist graffiti

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/subway-riders-clean-swastikas_us_589728a8e4b0c1284f265adb

What do you see in the picture, where is it taken, what do you think is happening, what do you think this story is about?

Gregory Locke from NYC boarded a subway train at Manhattan to find swastikas and racist graffiti daubed on all of the advertisements. 

What are swastikas, what do they mean?

Why would someone write racist graffiti, what is their intention, how are they trying to make different people on the train feel?

Where does racism come from?

Gregory wrote on social media, "The train was silent as everyone stared at each other, uncomfortable and not sure what to do." 

Why was the train silent?

What do you think people were thinking?

Why didn't anyone speak up?

Gregory went on to say, "One guy got up and said, 'Hand sanitiser gets rid of sharpie. We need alcohol.' He found some tissues and got to work. I've never seen so many people simultaneously reach in to their bags and pockets looking for tissues. Within about 2 minutes all the swastikas were gone."

What happened, why did it happen?

Why do you think everyone got up to help?

Speaking to a news programme later, Gregory said, "Seeing a bunch of strangers stand up for, and come together to stand up for what everyone knows is right, was very heartening."

What does heartening mean?

Does everyone know something is right or wrong?

Why did strangers come together and do this?

The people could have chosen to ignore the graffiti. Why do you think they chose not to ignore it?
What were the consequences of their actions?

What would have been the consequences if everyone had carried on ignoring the graffiti?

You can ignore grafitti; why not just take no notice?
How do you think people felt when they left the train having cleaned it off?
What does this show us about people and what they think about racism?
What can we learn from the people in this story?
Why is this story about No Outsiders?

Which British value is this about?

To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every Friday, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org

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Pride march

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c23g02dl1z8o

What do you see in the picture, were is it, what do you think is happening, what do you think this story is about?

The picture shows a march; a protest crossing a bridge in Hungary last weeked.

What do you think the march could have been about? How many people do you think there are? What could they be marching for?

In Hungary, the prime minister Victor Orban has banned Pride marches this year. 

What is a Pride march?

Why do you think the government in Hungary has banned Pride marches?

Pride marches have been banned under a new "child protection" law restricting gatherings that are considered to be "promoting homosexuality".

 

What is your response to that idea?

What are the opinions on both sides of this debate?

Do you think you need protecting from Pride marches?

The Prime minister warned the people of Hungary that there would be "legal consequences" for anyone attending a Pride march.

What does that mean?

Organisers could face a year in prison and attendees could face a 500 Euro fine. Police would be using facial recognition technology to recognise and prosecute anyone attending a pride march.

What do you think the photo shows?

The photo shows a Pride march that happened in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, on Saturday afternoon. 200,000 people marched, more than ever before. 

Why did they march?

Are they all LGBT+?

If they are not LGBT, why attend a Pride march?

Some attendees spoke to the BBC; Luka and her mother said they wanted a country of diversity.

What does that mean?

"We have a law that bans people who are different from others to gather. This is why we are here. Because it's hurting our rights. That's why we came."

Luca says she is worried about her 4 year old daughter's future "living in a country where she can't love anyone she wants to."

Why does that worry Luca?

Why does Luca say it's about rights?

Many MPs from around Europe also attended.

Why did people attend who weren't from Hungary? 

Finnish MP Li Andersson said, "It's important to emphasise that the reason why we are here is not only Pride - this is about the fundamental human rights of all of us. It's a march that is fundamentally about equality and about equal rights for anyone - for everybody, about the right to love and live with whoever you choose. And I think that's a core value that any free and democratic society should respect."

What does this mean?

What is a free and democratic society and how is this related to being LGBT+?

Everyone on this march is breaking the law and has been told by the prime minister not to attend. Should they respect the law?

What does this photo suggest about attitudes towards LGBT+ equality?

What is the law in the UK about this? (Equality Act)

Who else is mentioned in that law?

Why is this about No Outsiders?

Which British value is this about?

To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every Friday, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org

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What does this mean?

 

Door mat

 

https://www.upworthy.com/gayest-neighbor-response

What do you see here? What is it, where is it? What do you think this story is about?

A man called Clay came back to his flat one night to find a neighbour had placed this door mat outside their front door and Clay had to walk past it to get to his front door.

Clay felt offended by the doormat and wrote a stern letter to his neighbours.

Why do you think Clay was offended?

Why would someone put a door mat like that outside their front door - what are they showing, are they being serious?

What do you think was in Clay's letter?

Clay said, "I don't like that at all!"

"I don't like it because it implies that MY place is not the gayest place in town!"

Why was Clay offended?

Was he really offended?

What's going on here?

What do you think Clay did next?

Clay ordered his own "Gayest place in town" doormat and put it outside his door. He also wrote "2nd" on a note and taped it to his neighbour's door mat.

Why did he do that?

How do you think the neighbours felt when they saw the note?

Clay wrote a letter to his neighbours:

"Hello downstairs Gaybours..."

(why is he writing gaybours instead of neighbours?)

"I'm writing to let you know that I find your doormat to be extremely offensive. I personally believe that MY apartment is the gayest place in town." Clay then challenged his neighbours to a competition to find out who could make their apartment the real gayest apartment in town.

How do you think the neighbours replied?

Do you think they were angry?

Do you think Clay was really angry?

Just consider for a moment- can an apartment be gay? Can a table be gay? A pencil? What's going on here in this conversation?

The neighbours replied "You're on!"

What do you think happened next?

Both Clay and his neighbours starting posting about their apartments on social media to celebrate Pride month and thousands of people joined in the game. 

What do you think the neighbours looked like? (Clay had not met them before)

The neighbours were called Cara and Lauren. Some people were surprised that the neighbours were women.

Why do you think some people were surprised?

Who do you think won in the end?

Clay put up rainbow flags and more signs, and Cara and Lauren covered their down in rainbow tinsel. Cara and Lauren won. 

The two neighbours have said they plan to do the competition again next Pride month so this may become an annual event.

What is this story about?

Are Clay, Cara and Lauren making fun of gay people by doing this?

Why do you think it went viral?

Some people might say the neighbours should not have doormats like that on show as it goes against their own beliefs; how would you respond?

Is there anything we can learn from Clay, Cara and Lauren?

Why is this about No Outsiders?

Which British value is this about?

To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every Friday, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org

No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 

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Power of being different

      

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gkdpegqkjo

What do you see in the picture, what do you think this story is about?

Daisy-May Demetre lives in Birmingham, UK. and her legs work in a different way.

How do Daisy's legs work?

Daisy-May is an amputee.

What is an amputee?

Daisy has an interesting job. What do you think Daisy's job is?

Daisy is a model. She has appeared in fashion weeks across the world and is about to model during Birmingham Fashion Week in September.

Why might some people be surprised that Daisy is a model?

Daisy-May says she wants to encourage amputees to be confident and "go for whatever they want" in life. "You're disabilities shouldn't define you, you can believe in anything."

Why do you think Daisy-May says that? 

How might someone feel defined by their disabilities?

Are there other ways people might feel defined?

Daisy-May says strutting on the catwalk was a statement to represent the "strength, beauty and power of being different"

What does that mean? How can being different give you strength, beauty and power?

"I don't need perfect legs to walk a powerful path. The only thing I need is courage, and I've got plenty of that."

What is a powerful path?

I wonder why Daisy-May says her legs aren't perfect... who decides what perfect is? What would you say to Daisy-May?

Do you think if you met Daisy-May you should mention her disability? If Daisy-May is proud of her difference, would she want you to mention it?

What do we say in our school about being different?

Which law in the UK protects Daisy-May?

Who else is protected in that law?

What can we learn from Daisy-May?

Why is this about No Outsiders?

Which British Value is this about?

To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every Friday, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org

No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 

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Watch CPD films showing schools teaching belonging

Empty Shelves

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/edeka-german-supermarket-empty-shelves-racism-diversity-largest-chain-a7908551.html

What do you see here, where do you think it is, what do you notice about the shelves?

Do you recognise the language on the sign?

A supermarket in Hamburg, Germany, emptied shelves of all foreign-made produce.

Why do you think they did that?

What was the impact of taking out all foods not made in Germany?

They did it for a day to help people think about racism.

Why is this about racism?

Shoppers at Edeka store were able to see how many goods were made outside of Germany, and many shelves were empty. The shop put up signs saying, "This shelf is pretty boring without diversity."

Why put that sign up?

What are the shop trying to show their customers?

Is that a good way to start a conversation about racism? 

A spokesperson from Edeka said, "Edeka stands for variety and diversity. In our stores we sell numerous foods which are produced in the various regions of Germany. But only together with products from other countries is it possible to create the unique variety that our customers value."

What do you think they mean by unique variety?

How can a shop stand for variety and diversity?

- Where does the food that we buy come from? Does it all come from England?
- Why don't shops in England sell only food that is made in England, and shops in Germany sell only food that was is made in Germany?
- What does this demonstrate about different people around the world and how we live together?
- Some people think that if we have different skin or live in different places or have different faith, that we can't get along. What do we say in our school?
- What can we learn from Edeka?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

- Which British value is this about?

To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every Friday, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org

No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 

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Poster

 

https://www.today.com/parents/teacher-remove-everyone-is-welcome-here-sign-rcna196282?fbclid=IwY2xjawKvgRpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA4NGRTdVA2dmo1ODh4aFE3AR51bM11ZSlgCUrHh0m_PCSZtuBxZFIWQzfG9xL2JQFJko9MlpR3A5bki_c2Qg_aem_mZjGDcMXe-i2F4VdEv93tw

What do you see here, where do you think this sign is, what do you think the story might be?

Sarah Inama is a y6 teacher in Idaho, USA. She has posters on the walls of her classroom. One is shown above, the other says, "Everyone in the classroom is welcome, important, accepted, respected, encouraged, valued and equal" Her posters have been up for the last 5 years.

Why do you think Sarah has these posters on her classroom wall?

Do you think it's ok to have these posters on a classroom wall? 

What do you think this story might be about?

At the start of the year. Sarah was visited in her classroom by the principle and vice principle. They told her she had to remove the posters.

What reason do you think they gave? 

Sarah was told that her posters were controversial and needed to be taken down.

What does controversial mean?

What reason do you think they had for calling the posters controversial?

Sarah was told there was a district council policy that said classrooms must respect the rights of people to express differing opinions and decorations are to be "content- neutral and conducive to a positive learning environment"

What do you think this means?

What do you think content neutral means?

What do you think a positive learning environment is?

Why do you think Sarah's principle believes the posters are not content- neutral or positive?

Can you see both sides to this debate?

Sarah removed the signs.

Why do you think she did that?

What would you say to Sarah?

After a weekend thinking about it, she put the signs back up on Monday and emailed her principle to tell him.

What are the two sides of this argument? (You could argue Sarah is standing up for her rights, on the other hand she has been told by her boss not to have the posters up...)

The school district had a meeting where council officials offered to buy Sarah alternative posters as long as they didn't have the same messages as her current posters.

Sarah has been given till the end of the year to remove her posters "or face further action"

What do you think further action might be?

The school district released a statement. 

What do you hope is in the statement?

"While classroom decorations can contribute to the atmosphere, a truly welcoming and supportive environment is built through meaningful relationships and positive interactions between staff and students, not posters on the wall. Our focus is on fostering kindness, respect and academic achievement, so that every student can thrive in a distraction-free learning environment."

Approved classroom decorations include the American flag, maths tables, the US constitution (like our British values), student artwork, club information and school achievements.

"The policy is designed to ensure that no one group is targeted or offended by the display of certain items."

Can you understand the point of view of the district?

Do you agree a supportive environment is built through relationships and not posters?

Can you understand Sarah's point of view?

What would you say to the district council?

What message would you give to Sarah? What do think she should do?

What do we say in our school about these kind of posters?

Why is this about No Outsiders?

Which British Value is this about?

To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every Friday, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org

No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 

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Watch CPD films showing schools teaching belonging

Pride 2025

 

 

The Mystery of the 1957 Gay Wedding Photos

What do you see in the photos? Who do you think they are and what do you think they are doing? When do you think the photos were taken?

A few years ago, a museum in Los Angeles appealed for help to identify people that were photographed in 1957. The photos show a wedding between two men. There are photos of the men cutting a cake, exchanging rings, opening gifts and dancing. 

Why do you think the museum was interested in these wedding photos?

Where are the men getting married? Why are there only a few people, why isn't it in a church or a hall?

In 1957 being gay was illegal in the US and all over the world. So the two men in these photos were breaking the law. Everyone else at the wedding was also breaking the law and could have been arrested if the police found out it was happening.

Why do you think being gay was illegal in 1957?

Why are things different today?

If the law says you can't get married, do you think the men are doing the wrong thing here?

Taking photos was very different in 1957.

How were photos different in 1957?

How would the two men have got these photos?

You couldn’t make photos yourself in 1957; there were no phones. You had to take the photo on a camera and then take the film out of the camera and send it to a photo shop. The shop would develop the photos for you, and you would pick them up when they were ready about a week later. Each photo had to be developed individually meaning the person in charge would see them. 

What is the problem here for the two men in the photos?

What do you think happened to the photos?

The person in the shop who developed these photos would not give them back. The couple never saw their wedding photos. 

How / why could the person in the shop do that?

Imagine how you would feel to never see your wedding photos..

Why didn't the two men complain, demanding the photos were returned?

What might the person in the shop be worried about if they were seen to develop the photos and give them back?

The photos sat in the store room at the back of the shop for 50 years and were forgotten. Los Angeles museum hoped by sharing the pictures they could return the wedding photos to the couple, who will now be 80 or 90 years old. 

We don't know if the men were found. Do you think it is likely?

It's interesting that the person at the shop kept the photos and didn't throw them away - can you come up with an explanation for this?

What do you see in this photo, taken last weekend in the UK? 

Today things have changed for gay people compared to 60 years ago. Today many countries, including the UK have laws to protect LGBT people. 

What is the law in the UK protecting LGBT+ people? (the equality act 2010)

Who else is protected in that law?

The photo shows Birmingham Pride which was held on bank holiday weekend. Today, Pride events are held every year in cities all over the world.

Why do so many cities hold Pride events today, what is Pride for?

Do you think Pride is needed?

If we showed the Birmingham Pride photo to the men at the wedding in 1957, what would they think? How would you explain to the couple in 1957 what is happening in this photo, why it is happening and how has life has changed for LGBT people in 60 years?

Today there is a huge Pride event in Los Angeles every year. Do you think the two men in the photo are on the parade today? How do you think they feel about it? 

Why is this about No Outsiders? 

Which British value is this about?

KS1 version of this assembly here

To join the free mailing list and receive these assemblies as power points every Friday, email me on a.moffat@excelsiormat.org

No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat  (scheme of work for primary schools) 

Register to be a No Outsiders school  (get access to members page with additional resources)

Watch CPD films showing schools teaching belonging