Movement of Curry!

Remember what you learned about the theme of MOVEMENT in Social Studies?

Well here is a story about how curry, an traditionally Indian food, made its way to North Korea!

Segregation Story and the Speed of Light

Gordon Park's Segregation Story

Gordon Park was a photographer who worked in the 1950s. He says that he used his camera as "a weapon against poverty and racism. Check out his photos that "find tenderness amidst inequality."

Speed of Light...With Peeps!

You're learning about peeps in space, but look how they can help find the speed of light. Cool!

Refugees and Black History

Check out John Green's Vlogbrothers video where he interviews Hussam - a teenager, a writer, and a Syrian refugee.

Then, check out this spoken word poetry from Clint Smith III. He "writes" a letter to the Founding Fathers asking them about their involvement in racist activities and reminds teachers that "Oppression doesn't disappear just because you decided not to teach us that chapter."

Women's History Month and Space Suits!

Women's History Month is of course an important reminder of the important women who have shaped history. But, just as Ruby Bridges advocating all history be included in American history, check out what Maureen Costello has to say.

Ms. Tuttle and I do talk, so I know this will be of interest to you...Listen to this story about DIY space suits!

Scholastic Stops Distribution of a Book

Check out what critical lenses and a large group of people can do...

Apparently, Scholastic was publishing a book called "A Birthday Cake for George Washington." The cover looks like this

Well, an Indiana librarian was worried that the book was sending a "smiling" message about slavery - as the book is not clear that the main characters were George Washington's slaves. She also argues that, although everyone has the capacity to smile, by repeatedly showing the slaves smiling, it seems to send the message that the slaves were okay with their position. 

So she wrote a critical review, it was shared it on social media, people created a petition and a hashtag, and now Scholastic has decided to stop publishing the book.

Your voices do have power! Can't wait to send our letters.

Article: "I Went to a Trump Rally in My Hijab"

Check out this article by a Muslim woman who attended a Trump rally wearing her hijab and carrying her Qur'an. She says that she got some stares (but nothing much more), but ultimately found that "it was worth the risk to me to show them that their insecurities about Muslims were unfounded. It was worth it to humanize Muslims for them. And it was worth it, to me, to recognize their humanity too."

International Bill of Gender Rights

You all know about America's Bill of Rights...

But did you know that there is an International Bill of Gender Rights? It was created by the International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy 23 years ago in 1993. Considering the more widespread attention that gender/gay marriage/and transgender people have received lately, I was surprised that something like this has existed for so long!

Of most interest to our studies is "The Right of Access to Gendered Space and Participation in Gendered Activity." You can check out the explanation in the document, but basically this right asserts that since people have the ability to name their gender (ex. they can say they are a girl even if they have boy body parts), they need to be allowed to be in places and participate in activities for the gender that they say they are (even if they don't look like it on the outside).

Identity is complicated, so it is important to know that documents like this exist to protect the rights of ALL people.