Elementary school children printing positive messages on paper footprints and "walking" them around their school. Teenagers mapping out the most dangerous parts of their high school for kids who are bullied. An anti-suicide campaign. Community rallies building awareness for the safety of transgender people.
The anti-hate organization Not in Our Town has posted videos about such real-life activities and more on its website. The videos highlight various ways organizations and schools have made a difference in stopping hate crimes and discrimination in their communities—in both large and small ways. In one video, for example, middle and high school students have a frank, and uncomfortable, conversation about the impact of saying, "That's so gay."
Many videos are accompanied by sample classroom lessons and discussion questions so teachers can bring the topics to their own students. To view, visit www.niot.org.