Standing up to hatred

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-tragically-powerful-story-behind-the-lone-german-who-refused-to-give-hitler-the-nazi-salute-a7214386.html

This photo shows August Landmesser refusing to salute Hitler at a rally in Germany, June 13th 1936. At that time in Germany anyone choosing not to join a Nazi salute was breaking the law. The salute was mandatory for all German citizens, demonstrating loyalty to Hitler and the nation.

August was once a loyal nazi and worked for the party in the 1930s. But he changed his mind in 1935 when he fell in love with Irma Eckler, a Jewish woman, and they tried to marry. The law in Germany at that time was based on segregation and hatred for people who were seen as "different". When the engagement was discovered August was expelled from the nazi party.

The couple had a daughter Ingrid in 1935 and in 1937 the family tried to flee Germany to live in Denmark. They were stopped at the border and arrested. August was charged with "dishonouring the race" and instructed not to have a relationship with Irma. August refused to leave Irma and in 1938 both were sent to prison camps. They never saw each other again; Irma was killed in 1942 and August was sent to war in 1944 where it is thought he died in Croatia.

What do you see in the picture
When do you think the picture was taken and what is happening?
Why does the man with a circle around him stand out?

Explain the story

- Why is everyone performing the nazi salute?
- Why did August cross his arms?
- How do you think August felt when he crossed his arms in this photo?
- By not saluting, August broke the law. What do you think about his choice on that day?
- There are stories of schools in Austria during the war, at a time when when every classroom had to have a picture of Hitler on the wall. Some teachers would turn the pictures to face the wall, only turning them back if an inspector visited. Why did they do that? What does this show us about what some people thought about ideas of difference and ideas of hatred in those times?
- August used to be a nazi, what changed his mind?
- What does this show about how ideas can change?
- Why didn't August just stop being in a relationship with Irma?
- If you could go back in time and give a message to August and Irma, what would you say to them?
- What can we learn from August and Irma?
- What can we learn from this story?
-This story does not have a happy ending, so why tell it?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

"No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools" by Andrew Moffat

"Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain" by Andrew Moffat

British diversity

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/muslims-elderly-christmas-lunch-transport-charity-young-volunteers-islam-ahmadiyya-huddersfield-a8130961.html

A group of Muslim volunteers in Yorkshire spent Christmas day giving free taxi rides to elderly people, taking them to local halls for Christmas dinner.

Members of the Ahmadiyyah Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) used their own vehicles to transport people, and some vans were adapted because many people used wheelchairs. The volunteers then handed out gifts, posed for photos and sat with the groups, in order to take them back home at the end of the day.

Nadeem Ahmed, head of the AMYA said, "We felt like a family with the people we helped and that is how they felt too."

"People may wonder why we take out time to help, but we enjoy doing the voluntary work."

The AMYA planned to visit 2000 vulnerable people on Christmas day, including those in homeless shelters, handing out warm meals and gift bags. On their website the AMYA say their motto is "Love for all, hatred for none".

What do you see in the picture?
When do you think the photo was taken? How do you know?
What do you notice about the people in the photo?

Explain the story

- Why do some people get together for lunch on Christmas day?
- Why do some elderly people need help to get to a Christmas day dinner?
- Why are the people from a Muslim Association helping people celebrate a Christian festival?
- What does this story show us about the people in the Muslim Association?
- What can we learn from the Muslim Association?
- What does this story show us about living in Britain today?
-What does the motto "Love for all, hatred for none" mean?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

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

Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat

Bullying story

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/42309881/justin-bieber-among-celebs-supporting-bullied-keaton-jones

Keaton Jones from Tennessee USA, spoke to his Mum after school about being bullied. Keaton was afraid to go to lunch, got upset and Mum recorded him. She later put the film on Facebook with his permission, to show people the effect bullying was having on her son.

Keaton describes how people, "make fun of my nose, they call me ugly, they say I have no friends."
He said; "People who are different don't need to be criticised about it. It's not their fault."

Mum said, "We all know how it feels to want to belong, but only a few select few know how it really feels to not belong anywhere."

Keaton has advice to others bring bullied; he says, "If you are made fun of, don't let it bother you. It will probably get better one day"

The film went viral and has been watched over 22 million times by people around the world. Many famous people have got in touch. The picture shows American footballer Jarrettt Guarantano with Keaton. Jarrettt got in touch after seeing the film and spent the day with Keaton, saying, "It was amazing to get to know him and realise that we have a lot in common. Now I have the little brother I always wanted."

Captain America star Chris Evans has invited Keaton to the premier of the new Avengers film and actress Hailee Steinfiled said, "What makes you so special is there is only one you," and invited him to the premier of Pitch Perfect.

Justin Bieber said, "The fact he has sympathy and compassion for other people when he's going through it himself is a testament to who he is.

Since becoming famous, photos are appearing online showing Keaton and his family in front of  a confederate flag. The confederate flag was used in the American civil war in the 1800's by people who wanted to keep slavery and it is often seen today as a symbol of racism. Some people are accusing Keaton's family of being racist. However, others say bullying is wrong even if the family have prejudiced beliefs.

What do you see in the picture?
How are the people in the picture similar?
How are the people different?
How do you think they met?

Explain the story

-Why has Keaton become famous?
- What did Keaton do, that everyone bring bullied must do (he spoke up and told someone)
- Keaton talks about people being different. Why are people who are different sometimes a target for bullying? (because not everyone understands about being different. Some people think everyone should be the same; we need to explain to them about No Outsiders and how diversity benefits us all)
- How do you think Keaton felt when famous people started messaging him?
- How do you think the bullies at Keaton's school are feeling now?
- The photos of Keaton's family and the confederate flag suggest they also don't understand about No Outsiders. How can we change ideas about racism?
- If Keaton's family do have racist ideas, how do you think meeting Jarrett might change those ideas?
-Jarrett says he and Keaton have a lot in common; if Keaton's family do have racist ideas, how will this comment help them?
- Why do you think Jarrett still met Keaton, even though the photos suggest his family have racist ideas?
- What is Keaton and his family learning about No Outsiders because of this?
- What can we learn from Keaton?
- What can we learn from Jarrett?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

"No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in Primary Schools" by Andrew Moffat

"Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain" by Andrew Moffat

You belong here

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/students-form-protective-circle-around-muslims-praying-university-of-michigan-a7423591.html

Following an incident at Michigan University, US where a woman was threatened for wearing a headscarf, hundreds of students formed a circle around their Muslim classmates so they could pray in peace and to show support.

The Muslim Students; Association organised a public prayer and invited non-Muslims to attend. Hundreds of people came to the event; president of the association Farhan Ali said,  "The amount of support was overwhelming and absolutely wonderful and it brought some ease to the Muslim students (and) showed that we have other individuals who are willing to stand with us."

Some members of the crowd held posters saying "You belong here"

What's happening in the photo?
Where do you think it was taken?
Who do you think the poster in the photo is aimed at?

Explain the story

- Why do some people attack others ? (fear, misunderstanding; some people don't understand about diversity and difference, they don't understand diversity is a good thing and maybe haven't heard about No Outsiders)
- Why do you think the Muslim students invited non-Muslims to their prayer?
- Hundreds of non-Muslims turned up; what does this show?
- Why were some people holding posters that read, "You belong here"?
- In the UK which law says people who are different belong and shouldn't face discrimination? (The Equality Act 2010)
- What do you think the person who attacked the woman thought about the event? Do you think it might help to change his mind? How can we change the minds of people who are frightened of difference?
- How do you think the Muslim students felt when so many turned up to their prayer?
- What can we learn from The Michigan students?
-Why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in Primary schools by Andrew Moffat

Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat  

Choose Kind

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-42083338#

Marcus is a 13 year old boy from Hertfordshire  UK. He is a talented trampolinist who has competed at a national level. Marcus was born with a face that looks different.

At school Marcus has experienced bullying ; he has been called many unkind names. He went to a group called Changing Faces to build his confidence and now he is doing well, saying he is not affected by name calling if if happens.

Marcus says the worst thing is when adults stare at him; "It's when adults stare and then keep on starring that I get fed up. It's just so rude."

Marcus's Mum says people used to say, "Oh what a shame!" when Marcus was younger. Mum would answer, "What's a shame? He's fine, he's healthy!... to me he's was just Marcus, I didn't see a difference  really." Mum would tell Marcus to smile back at people staring because they would either realise they were staring and feel embarrassed or they would smile back.

Marcus says at his trampoline class, "everybody has always accepted me for who I am and have never asked why I look like I do or stared.... everyone respects you for what you can do and not what you look like."

A new film has been made about a boy called Auggie  who has had a similar experience to Marcus; the photo shows Marcus with the actor who plays Auggie in the film. The message in the film is, "Choose kind".

What do you see in the photo?
How are the boys similar?
How are the boys different? (height, clothes, maybe age)

Explain the story

- What is Marcus good at?
- What kind of person do you have to be to compete in competitions at a national level?
- Why has Marcus experienced bullying (children might answer "because his face looks different" but explain that is not the reason Marcus has experienced bullying; no one at Marcus's trampoline class bullied him. Marcus had experienced bullying because some people don't understand about people looking or being different; some people don't understand about No Outsiders and think it's OK to treat people differently because of who they are. Marcus hasn't experiences bullying because of who he is, he has experienced bullying because of who other people are and their behaviour"
- Why is Mum feel cross when people say, "What a shame"?
- Why does Mum tell Marcus to smile at people who stare?
- Marcus says people at his trampoline class respects you for what you can do, not what you look like. What does he mean?
- How would you describe Marcus's character?
- What can we learn from Marcus?
- Why do you think the message in the film is "Choose Kind"?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality act in Primary schools by Andrew Moffat

Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat