Ideas This Week
Ideas This Week is your hub for updates on all things Facing History—from announcements and featured press to expert interviews, impact stories, and essays on the ideas driving our work.
6 New Books on Human Rights
Below are 6 books published in 2021 that speak to underacknowledged dimensions of human rights in history, teaching, and contemporary global society.
![The words, "human rights" are highlighted within a text.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/istock-178100128_human_rights_text.png?h=a6c55029&itok=rh8-tcu0)
African Americans and the History of "Human Rights"
As a United Nations panel of experts is set up to investigate systemic racism and human rights abuses against Black people around the world, we explore a series of African American leaders who have invoked the language of “human rights” to underscore the urgency of their situation here in the U.S.
![Olympians on the podium, bowing their heads and raising a fist with a black glove.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/Fist_raised_Olympics_1968public_domain.jpeg?h=96687ce6&itok=yaBd2oCU)
13 Teaching Ideas on Human Rights
During Universal Human Rights Month, in December, we invite you to use any of these Teaching Ideas grounded in social-emotional learning (SEL) that provide ample social and historical context while being concise and easy to integrate into your classroom conversations.
![Paper cut outs of face profiles in different skin tones.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/graphical_diversity_paper_faces_1894061167.jpeg?h=3a5dff94&itok=qAstbdWw)
The Power of Native Language Revitalization
Learn about the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project, one of many grassroots efforts dedicated to healing the lasting wounds inflicted by residential schools and cultural genocide of Native peoples.
![Still of jessie baird from We Still Live Here - Âs Nutayuneân (Makepeace Productions, 2011).](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/still_jessie_baird_we_stil_live_here_as_nutayunean_makepeace_productions_2011.jpeg?h=7843b95a&itok=hO0bfEUt)
Remembering Little Rock
Facing History shares on efforts to desegregate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957 and provides resources for educators to use with their students to promote historical understanding, critical thinking, social-emotional learning, and civic agency.
![101st Airborne Division escort the Little Rock Nine students into Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/101st_Airborne_at_Little_Rock_Central_High_FH258604.jpg?h=e1c669e5&itok=8NEcapoX)
Disrupting the Legacies of Eugenics
Facing History shares on the history of eugenics and encourages educators to bring this important history into the classroom.
![Three skulls are lined in a row.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/three_skulls_eugenics_bw.jpeg?h=af8f816e&itok=HYoxwPqA)
Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries on Teaching Reconstruction
Facing History shares highlights from Dr. Jeffries’ remarks during his engaging presentation concerning the significance and legacy of the Reconstruction Era.
![Square headshot of Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-05/Dr_Hasan_Kwame_Jeffries_FH2191462_squarecrop.jpg?h=569f0efd&itok=19aFckKP)
Reflections on the State of Democracy in South Africa
Facing History partners share the key lessons learned after the events that preceded Mandela Day in July 2021.
![South Africa flag waving during the sunrise with mist fog.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/South_Africa_flag_sun_iStock-1060045112.jpeg?h=140710cd&itok=hv6bvGp9)
Dr. Gholdy Muhammad on Cultivating Genius
Facing History shares on Dr. Gholdy Muhammad's work which explores how literacy came to be regarded as a critically important lever of social and political transformation within the Black community.
![Cover of Dr. Gholdy Muhammad's book "Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy."](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/Cultivating_Genius.png?h=a535c023&itok=6gy_UBjq)
Reflecting on Anti-Black Violence, Justice, and Accountability
In the wake of Derek Chauvin’s conviction in the murder of George Floyd, we reflect on the historical and contemporary violence that surrounds this guilty verdict.
![A protester holding a painting of George Floyd and a sign that reads "Black Lives Matter"](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-09/GettyImages-1218644435.jpg?h=c56f4f07&itok=An23iXAy)
We Are Being Called to Account
Hate crimes targeting Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) communities have deep roots in US history. We decry the violence in Atlanta and mourn with the victims' families.