Braids

 

On Saturday, BBC presenter Lukwesa Burak, presented the news. Later she tweeted:

"Thank you for all the messages and DMs. Yes I had braids while reading the news and yes, even on a National bulletin. Times have changed! Thanks again."

Many people responded to the tweet positively; within 16 hours the tweet had over 500 retweets and 17,000 likes. Here are some of the responses:

"You look amazing. If you hadn't said anything I'd have not batted an eyelid. Your hairstyle suits you. And you look fab!"

"Represent" clap emoji

"Happy dance here. There are some 8 year old girls in my class who will be seeing themselves represented today. You rock the braids just like they do."

"The fact that you need to say this in this day and age says we haven't come as far in this country as we should have"

"Sad that this was ever a problem but wonderful to see you being you"

"This is really great to see. It must be such an amazing feeling to know you're inspiring people and giving so much hope with moments like this."

One person wrote, "Apologies for my ignorance. Could you not have had your hair in braids or natural before?" to which Lukwesa replied, "Nope, up until recent years it was considered "too ethnic".

Not everyone commented on Lukwesa's hair, one person asked, "How do you know when it' time to go on camera and start presenting the news?"

Lukwesa replied, "Music, countdown, director... all in my ear... it's quite a rush."

- what do you see in the picture?

- Why do you think this photo picked up lots of comments over the weekend?

- "Times have changed," why does Lukwesa say that? Why did she post the photo?

- "Represent - clap emoji" what does this mean?

- what is representation?

-  "There are some 8 year old girls in my class who will be seeing themselves represented today. You rock the braids just like they do." why it is important for everyone to see themselves represented on TV?

- "The fact that you need to say this in this day and age says we haven't come as far in this country as we should have" what does this mean? 

- Lukwesa says until recent years her braids were considered "too ethnic" for BBC news. What does this mean? Who do you think made that decision, why, what was the impact, why is it different today? (...is it different today?)

- Is everyone represented on TV today? Do you feel represented?

- Does it matter?

- what can we learn from Lukwesa?

- why is this about No Outsiders?

There is a great short video in this link showing kids talking about their hair for World Afro day  https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/58971403

See this No Outsiders lesson plan using "Hair, it's a family affair" by Mylo Freeman (thanks to Liz Pemberton for advice) https://no-outsiders-lessonplans.blogspot.com/2022/04/hair-its-family-affair-by-mylo-freeman.html

No Outsiders: Everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com

book club

 

https://scoop.upworthy.com/teens-fight-back-book-bans-start-forbidden-book-club-small-pa-town?fbclid=IwAR287DsxR8Os5x1zsEwiDkORd80JTJ4IPc0nOu-LWSdQzNfeQG2LWvy4cSk

A group of teenage students in Pennsylvania, USA, have started up a Forbidden Book club to read books they have been told are banned in their schools. Last October, Texas Republican State Rep Matt Krause launched an investigation in to school libraries in his state and compiled a list of 850 books, demanding that schools reveal whether they had the titles in their libraries and how much money they had spent on the books. These books were mostly about sexuality or race. He argued the books, "might make students feel discomfort". 

According to boingboing.net , here is the full list https://boingboing.net/2021/10/30/texas-lawmakers-considering-a-ban-on-850-books-heres-the-full-list.html

The list includes some of the books you might have read in No Outsiders lessons: Julian at the wedding by Jessica Love, Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton, We are all born free by Amnesty International, And Tango makes three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, 

Joslyn, who is a 14 year old student at Kutztown Middle School, was inspired to start a group to read banned books and then talk about them; "These books are great works of literature and I really just didn't understand why so many people wanted to ban them. It's important that people read these books because it helps them grow."

Joslyn's Mum is fully supportive of the book club. Mum says, "Reading a book about racism doesn't make you racist and reading a book about gender identity isn't going to make you transgender. Reading a book only benefits you."

The club is held at Firefly bookstore, who allowed the teenagers to meet in their store. Jordan Busits, who works at the store, said, "Books are meant to say something about the author themselves, who they are are what their world views are, and by banning these books we are essentially banning their voices. We wanted the freedom where everyone could express their opinions without someone saying those opinions are wrong."

One of the first books the club read was "Melissa" by Alex Gino: "When people look at George they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's web. George really REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part... because she's a boy."

Another was "Stamped: Racism, Anti racism and you" by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X Kendi: "Stamped reveals the history of racist ideas in America and inspires hope for an anti-racist future. It takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how we feel and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited."

- what do you see in the picture, what do you think is happening?

- what are books for?

- can books change lives? 

- Can reading a book change you or turn you in to something?

- Why do you think some people are trying to ban children's books about LGBT awareness or race? Is it ok for adults to read these books? Why not children?

- Do you think these books can cause children discomfort? Why does Matt Krause say that?

- Why do you think Joselyn chose to start her book club?

- "Reading a book about racism doesn't make you racist and reading a book about gender identity isn't going to make you transgender. Reading a book only benefits you." what does this mean?

- "By banning these books we are essentially banning their (author) voices." what does this mean?

- Why do you think Joslyn's group read "Melissa" by Alex Gino? 

- Melissa was first published as "George." Reading the blurb, why do you think the author decided to change the title of the book to Melissa?

- Why do you think the group chose to read, "Stamped"? 

- "It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited." what does this mean, why do you think some people think children should not be allowed to read this book? 

- what can we learn from Joslyn?

- why is this about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders: Everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com

Scouts

 

https://metro.co.uk/2022/06/04/bear-grylls-hails-incredible-trans-scout-with-award-at-jubilee-party-16770202/

The Jubilee celebrations last weekend were watched by millions of people all over the UK and the world. On Saturday night, the Big Jubilee Street Party was broadcast live from the MEN arena, featuring musical guests and honouring inspirational people. 

One person who got a award was a scout volunteer Dan, who joined the scouts when he was six and is now a scout leader. During the conversation, Dan mentioned his transition and thanked the scouts for giving him the confidence to be himself. As he said this, the arena erupted in applause and cheers from the 10,000 strong crowd. A short video was then shown where Dan was thanked for being a role model to other young scouts.

Bear Grylls then abseiled from the ceiling to present Dan with a scouting award for helping other scouts to "be brave and be yourself" Bear said, "Scouting is like a second family to so many people in terms of friendship and life skills." Dan said the scouts were always hugely supportive of his transition and the week after he told them  abut his transition and changed his name, they presented him with a brand  new uniform with his name on it.

- what is the scouts

-Dan talks about his transition, what does that mean?

- the scouts gave Dan the confidence to be himself - what does Dan mean by that?

- When Dan talked about his transition, 10,000 people in the arena cheered; wat does that show about most people today and their understanding of transition?

- How is Dan a role model for other scouts?

- Why is Bear calling Dan brave?

- Why was the new uniform and name badge so important to Dan? What does this show about scouts today?

- what can we learn from Dan?

- what can we learn from the scouts?

- why is this about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders|: Everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com

Curly hair

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/25/us/florida-curly-hair-graduation-speech/index.html

Zander Moricz went viral last week for an inspiring graduation speech. In his speech, Zander wanted to talk about being gay to let other students know everyone should be who they want to be. However, Zander goes to school in Florida where a recent law has been passed banning teachers from talking about families that have two mums or two dads. The law is known as the "Don't say gay" bill.

Zander was told by the school that he was not allowed to say the word gay in his speech or reference the fact he is gay. So instead, Zander did a speech about another way he is different; he talked about his curly hair.

In his speech, Zander says, "I used to hate my curls. I spent mornings and nights embarrassed of them trying desperately to straighten this part of who I am. But the daily damage of trying to fix myself became too much to do. I decided to be proud of who I was and started coming to school as my authentic self."

Zander thanked his teachers at Pine View School who he said supported him. He said he talked to them first because he didn't have other curly haired people to talk to. 

"Noe I'm happy. And that is what is at stake. There are going to be so many kids with curly hair who need a community like Pine View and they won't have one. Instead they'll try to fix themselves so they can exist in Florida's humid climate."

- what is graduation?

- why do you think Zander wanted to talk about being gay in his speech? 

- Why do you think the school told him not do mention being gay?

- How do you think that decision made Zander feel?

- why did Zander talk about curly hair instead?

- "I used to hate my curls. I spent mornings and nights embarrassed of them trying desperately to straighten this part of who I am." What is Zander talking about here?

- why was trying to "fix" himself causing daily damage?

- how do you think Zander came to realise it was ok to "have curls"?

- "I decided to be proud of who I was and started coming to school as my authentic self." what does this mean?

- What can we do about Florida's "Don't say gay" bill?

- what can we learn from Zander?

- why is this about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders: everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com

Jake Daniels

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/61472174

Jake Daniels is 17 years old and a professional footballer who plays for English Championship Team Blackpool. Last week he made the news because he came out; Jake told people he was gay.

This has made news because Jake is the first football player in over 30 years to come out while he is still playing. There may be other footballers who are gay, but they have chosen not to tell people.

Jake says, "It's been such a long time of lying... and I feel like I'm ready to tell people about my story. I want people to know the real me."

"Now I do feel like I'm ready to be myself, to be free and to be confident with it all."

Jake has been praised by England Captain, Harry Kane for his announcement. Kane says, "Football should be welcome for everyone." Jake says before he came out it was affecting his mental health but since he told people, it's been a massive relief. He days despite this season being fantastic for the Blackpool team, "Off the pitch I've been hiding the real me and who I really am. I've known my whole life that I am gay, and know I feel like I'm ready to come out and be myself."

Jake says he has been inspired by other athletes like Tom Daley and Josh Cavallo to have the "courage and determination to drive change."

The day after Jake told his mum and sister that he was gay, Jake scored four at a match. He says, "It just shows how much of a weight off the shoulders it was and what a massive relief."

The Football Association said, "Jake, you are an inspiration to us all and we fully support your decision to be open, about this part of yourself. Football is a game for all, with diversity at its heart, and this is a hugely positive step as we strive to build an inclusive game that we can all be proud of."

There is a short video interview with Jake in the link above and also a really good short video interview with two other gay footballers. 

- what is coming out - why do you think telling people you are gay is called that?

- Jake says "It's been such a long time of lying." why do you think he felt he had to lie about being gay?

- what is homophobia?

- Do you think Jake worried about being gay or was he worried about homophobia?

- Jake says before he came out his metal health was being affected - how? (what does scoring 4 at a match the day after telling his mum show?)

- Jake is the first footballer in 30 years to come out. Do you think Jake is the only professional footballer who is gay? Why don't more footballers come out?

- "I've known my whole life that I am gay," - why didn't Jake tell people years ago?

- "I want people to know the real me." - why? Is this relevant to his game? Does it matter?

- "Now I do feel like I'm ready to be myself, to be free and to be confident with it all." how will coming out make Jake feel free and confident? What has changed?

- How did seeing other gay athletes support Jake? What does visibility mean? How does visibility affect us? 

- The FA say they want to build an "inclusive game" what does this mean? How can they achieve that?

- Is our school inclusive? How do you know? We can use words and say it is, but does it really FEEL inclusive? How do you make a place feel inclusive?

- What can we do to support Jake Daniels today in our school?

- Why is this about No Outsiders?

No outsiders: Everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com 

Eurovision

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61442439?fbclid=IwAR1_ECVgUzU-H4jULcDQR2y6r6zcuTf78k2NEFsUVh1zHtSKwY3gqBlFejY

The photo shows friends in a flat in Kyiv, Ukraine, celebrating their country winning the 2022 Eurovison Song Contest. Ukraine won with "Stefania" by Kalush Orchestra. The song "Stefania" won the televote with a huge margin as people across Europe chose that song as their favourite of the night.

Ukrainian people have been speaking about what the win means to them; Ivanna Khvalyboga, now living in Poland after feeling her home, said, "When they said that we had won, I shouted at the whole apartment. The win means incredible happiness for Ukraine and Ukrainian people."

Eurovision fan Yura Solodzhuk said, "It's important to remind the world about us again and again, that Ukrainian culture and music exists."

The lyrics to the song are about the lead vocalist's mother, but the song has become a rallying cry for soldiers on the front line about their own mothers. Ann Fedirko said, "Every soldier remembers his mother, who prays for him at night and he has to win a free life for her."

People in Ukraine were unable to celebrate their win in public places because of curfews in place across the country. People met in their flats and apartments to watch the contest. Denys from Kyiv said, "It's something that unites us with the whole of Europe. For us it is very important to be part of this, especially this year."

Alina, who held a small party in her flat, said, "In Ukraine we have war and some say it's not a time to have fun. But we need to have fun, we need to live and have understanding and feeling of life. Now we see support of the whole world and it feel great."

When Eurovision was first held in 1956, the aim was to heal a broken Europe after the war by bringing countries together. Today, Eurovison fans across Europe are saying the aims of the contest have become real again. Maria from Sweden says, "The reason that Eurovision started from the beginning was to unite Europe through music. And rarely has this need been more important than right now." 

- what is Eurovision

- how does Eurovision work, who takes part, how is the winner chosen?

- Why are people saying it is so important that Ukraine took part this year?

- should Ukraine take part in a song contest while they are at war? 

- look at the people in the photo - how do they feel about Ukraine taking part while they are at war?

- "For us it is very important to be part of this, especially this year." - why?

- "It's important to remind the world about us again and again, that Ukrainian culture and music exists." why? what is the image we have of Ukraine today?

- "we need to live and have understanding and feeling of life" how does watching a song contest achieve that?

- how do you think Alina and her friends felt when they heard they had won?

- back in 1956, why do you think people invented Eurovison? What was the situation and what do you think the aim was?

- Maria from Sweden says, "rarely has this need been more important than now" what does she mean?

- what can we learn from Alina and her friends in Ukraine?

- what does Ukraine wining the contest with such a huge vote show us about people in Europe today?

- why is this about no outsiders? (because the people of Ukraine are shown they belong and have support across Europe)

The winning song is here https://youtu.be/obZi8fbESWw

Children might also be interested in the UK song, that came second in the contest https://youtu.be/RZ0hqX_92zI

no outsiders: everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com

Scouts

 

 

 https://scoop.upworthy.com/girl-calls-out-sexist-announcers-comments-about-girl-scouts-in-epic-open-letter?fbclid=IwAR1w3W0NhKUCQWQQMmtfESSB41-u9dgjz5Lfb2uFv-lzF1s0bMFLghJB0ME

A 12 year old girl wrote a letter to the editor of her local newspaper about a remark make by an announcer at a scout parade. 

Julianne Speyer was marching with the Chesterland, Ohio Girl Scouts as part of a 4th July parade. Julianne's troop were marching behind the Chesterland Boy Scouts and as they passed the announcer, he remarked over the loud speakers that the boys were, "future leaders of America" while the girls were, "Just having fun."

Julianne was offended by these remarks and decided to remind people that girls can be whatever they wanted to be. She wrote an open letter to the editor of her local newspaper, which quickly went viral:

"My name is Julianne Speyer. I am 12 years old and I would like to inform you of how offended and disappointed I am by the announcer of the Chesterland's 4th July parade's comment about the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. The announcer labelled the Boy Scouts as 'future leaders of America' and he said the Girl Scouts were "just having fun." I found this comment very sexist and patronising. I would appreciate it if you would help me to let other people know how much this kind of thing happens and how bad it is. I feel it is an insult to both girls and women of all ages. This kind of thing happens way too much and it's not OK at all.

I have always been taught that if you think something is unjust, change it. So this is how I am making a change. Thank you for listening to me and I hope you can help me."

Julianne's letter went viral across America yet there was no response from the announcer or parade organisers. 

Eventually the parade organisers issue a statement in response to the letter:

"There was an unfortunate misunderstanding of two unrelated comments. The announcer is a volunteer and made an observation that participants were enjoying the parade, with no disrespect intended."

Julianne later commented, "You don't want to judge people based on their sex. Maybe, in the future if no-one beats me to the job, I'll be the first girl president. I could scream the message that girls can be anything they want to be. They can be in charge someday. We can be the leaders of America,"

Julianne received a letter from former Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, praising Julianne for using her voice and speaking up; "Never forget that you are valuable, powerful and worthy of every opportunity to fulfil your potential."

- what are the scouts?

- have girls always been accepted in scout groups? (scouts were formed in 1910 and girls were allowed to join in 1976)

- why do you think for so long girls were not allowed to join scouts?

- By commenting on Boy Scouts being future leaders of America and Girl Scouts as having fun, what does this show about the attitudes of the announcer?

- why was Julianne offended?

- what is a "letter to the editor"? what is an open letter?

- What is the name for the way Julianne writes (formal)- why is she writing in that way? What would in informal letter sound like?

- why do you think the letter went viral?

- why do you think the announcer never responded?

- Look at the response from the organisers; were the two comments unrelated? Is this a misunderstanding? Do you think there is anything missing from that response? (an apology?)

- what would a better response look like?

- "You don't want to judge people based on their sex" what does this mean?

- "Never forget that you are valuable, powerful and worthy of every opportunity to fulfil your potential." what does this mean?

- what can we learn from Julianne?

- Why is about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders: Everyone different, everyone welcome by Andrew Moffat

www.no-outsiders.com