A Hug To Change The World

A woman taking part in an anti-Muslm protest in the US changed her mind when a Muslim woman approached her, hugged her and invited her in to the local Mosque to talk. Other supporters talked to the protester calmly to try and get her to see things differently. When she stepped in side the Mosque she was greeted by applause.

"A lot of people with these ideas have not actually met a Muslim," the mosque's spokesman, Adnan Mirza, told The Independent. "We focus on the similarities rather than on things that divide."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/anti-muslim-protester-won-over-by-hugs-and-debate-at-noor-islamic-centre-a6690801.html

- What's happening in the photo?

-What do the placards say, what do you think that person wants to achieve?

explain the photo

- why did the Muslim woman hug a stranger who was anti-Muslim?

- what was the effect of the hug?

- what do you think the anti-Muslim woman felt when the Muslim woman talked to her calmly and hugged her?

- read out the quote from Adnan Mirza; how is this similar to our No Outsiders message?

Extension lesson plan: LI To understand the power of dialogue 

Watch this clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErxlkMwVrUQ showing the hug and the conversation with the anti-Muslim protestor. In other (longer) clips we can see the man say to the protestor, "We can be friends" and, "How do you know I'm not Muslim?" He questions her calmly and gets her to question her beliefs. Why does he do this and what is the impact?

Watch this film of the woman who gave the hug https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY5NO8ox2y8 how does she describe the impact of the hug? How do you think the women felt before the hug and after the hug. Why do you think the hug went viral? What does it show about people around the world and what they want to see?

Write a newspsper report for the incident. use quotes from the films

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the equality act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

equalitiesprimary

Community Cohesion In Scotland

The Island of Bute in Scotland is preparing to welcome 15 families from Syria, including 50 children. Local people are eager to welcome their new neighbours; Craig Borland, the editor of the local newspaper said, "I want Bute to be a place where people who come here with little more than the clothes they are standing in can feel safe and at home.”

Angela Callaghan, who runs a furniture shop is organising food parcels and said, "“These people will become part of our community and will not have much time when they arrive to organise meals....so we’ll all rally round.”

In December the local cinema will screen the film, "It's a wonderful life" as a fundraiser to welcome the families and there are plans to organise a Syrian food night in the church hall.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/15/isle-of-bute-syrian-refugees-its-a-wonderful-life

- How will the families from Syria feel when they first arrive at Bute?
- How will they feel when they see the welcome?
-What will the people of Bute gain from this experience?
- What can we learn from the people of Bute?

Look For The Helpers

At the end of an assembly where difficult issues are being discussed, use this quote from Mr Rogers.

France: Promoting Community Cohesion

Following the attacks in Paris on Friday 13th November, cities around the world turned their landmarks red, white and blue as a mark of respect, showing support for France.

http://metro.co.uk/2015/11/14/in-pics-powerful-images-from-paris-show-city-united-and-defiant-in-face-of-terror-attacks-5500938/?ito=twitter

- What buildings do you recognise in the picture?

- Why are other buildings around the world lit up using the colours red, white and blue?

- There are people in those cities who are Male, Female, Transgender, Black, White, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Gay, Lesbian, and of different ages, disabilities and nationalities, yet in this picture they are all showing the French flag - what does this say about people who are different around the world?

- Why do we say the are "No Outsiders" in our school - what do we say about people who have different faith and people who are from different countries?

- If you could speak to someone in Paris now, what would you say?

Disability - empathy- problem solving

James Williams is a barber from Talbot, UK. He has been trying unsuccessfully to cut the hair of Mason, who was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Condition a few months ago. Mason gets upset when he has his hair cut and this photo shows the first time he has managed to get a proper hair cut, because the James has persevered and found a way to do it.

- What is happening in this picture?
-  Why are they lying on the floor?

Explain the picture

- What is Autism? (explain ASD is where the brain works in a different way. Lots of people have autism)
- Mason was finding difficulty getting his hair cut. How was the problem solved - did Mason change or did James change?
- Why did James make an effort to change the way he cut hair? Why didn't he just force Mason to have his hair in the same way as everyone else, or tell Mason to go somewhere else for his haircut?
- What does this say about James Williams?
- How do we make sure everyone is welcome in our school?
-If you met James Williams, what would you say to him?

Gender - Identity - Inclusion

The Highgirls Brazil Festival October 30th - November 2nd 2015 is the first female festival highline held in Brazil. The website says the aim is, "to bring together women from all states so that we can know each other, exchange experiences and promote the sport"

"We chose Rio de Janiro for this first meeting, providing opportunity to improve and fall in love with Art of balance"

"The festival will allow the presence of men, but (they) will have to use their creativity in the use of skirts, dresses and hats ranging from conservative to extravagant".

http://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2015/nov/03/photo-highlights-of-the-day-slacklining-in-rio-and-excited-racegoers
Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

- What is happening in the picture?
- What was the first thing you noticed?
-How high do you think that wire is?
- What is attached to his ankle?

Explain the picture

- Why do you think women wanted a female only festival?
- Why do you think they changed their minds?
- Why is the man wearing a dress on the high wire?
- Do you think he is bothered about wearing a dress? What is the most important thing to him?
- How do you think he felt when he finished the line?