What I've Learned Along the Way
After 25 years of distinguished service to our organization, Dr. Karen Murphy, Facing History’s Director of International Strategy, will join our partner organization High Resolves as CEO of an initiative called The Human Responsibility Accelerator. In this article, we invited Karen to share a bit of what she has learned in more than two decades at Facing History.
![Photo of Dr. Karen Murphy teaching](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/karen_murphy_teaching_hands_raised.jpeg?h=06ac0d8c&itok=0XtPSmhB)
bell hooks Taught Us to Transgress
Like many people of my generation who cut their teeth on the critical insights of bell hooks, news of her passing in December unleashed a wave of reflection for me about the ways she’s impacted me as a person and public scholar. Beyond the many moments of resonance I experienced while reading her writings over the years, her impact on me is most powerfully encapsulated in an experience I had in 2008 when I met her.
![bell hooks standing on stage and speaking while holding a microphone.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/bellhooks.jpeg?itok=jpRETw0k)
Why Teach Reconstruction Today?
Studying the history of Reconstruction reveals that American history is lined with recurring cycles of social progress and backlash in which everyday people have surmounted immense barriers to drive powerful change.
![Man representing the Freedman's Bureau stands between armed groups of Euro-Americans and Afro-Americans.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/Freedman_bureau_harpers_cartoon_FH21213.jpg?h=83f3d97f&itok=jf0SD3Wz)
Ketanji Brown Jackson and the Power of Representation
Facing History summarizes the significance of the Supreme Court Justice nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
![Headshot of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/Ketanji_Brown_Jackson_headshot.jpeg?h=f185acf5&itok=gMz0QTMM)
A New Type of Media Literacy
Learn about the risks new technologies pose to adults and adolescents and view resources available to help teach teenage students about media literacy, responsible use of social media, and surveillance capitalism.
![A person views a piece of news media on their phone.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/SocialMediaLiteracyHero.jpg?h=8e4088dc&itok=6GlBMRJf)
Honoring Harry Belafonte by Teaching Civil Rights
Build on Harry Belafonte's work toward realizing the full promise of our democracy with these civil rights resources.
![Marchers with signs at the March on Washington, 1963](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Resistance_1963_MarchOnWashington_%20FH21262.jpg?h=9c99f020&itok=1rJhfCQU)
Monuments and Memorials Are Conversation Starters
Dimitry Anselme discusses how monuments and memorials can be an entry point for students to discover underrepresented stories.
![The Robert Gould Shaw And Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-05/The_Robert_Gould_Shaw_and_Massachusetts_54th_Regiment_Memorial_%28c65efc6a-6b80-4def-aad7-88012b9b9e14%29.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=LnNQzsv4)
Revisiting “The Hill We Climb”
Amanda Gorman's poem speaks to a shared American experience that resonates with youth and inspires hope.
![National youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman recites her inaugural poem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool)](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-05/AP_21020703530611_fullres.jpg?h=68813a66&itok=-3PF1h0C)
Reflecting on Juneteenth
Learn about the history and legacy of Juneteenth and how modern awareness of this commemoration has grown and raised the profile of this important holiday.
![Juneteenth Independence Day. Freedom or Emancipation day. Annual American holiday, celebrated on June 19. African American history and heritage. Poster, greeting card, banner and background](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-06/iStock-1154863383.jpg?h=4f4378cb&itok=CE58MYI_)
Exploring Black History through Black Poets
Engage with the powerful voices of Black poets and the rich history of poetry during Black History Month and beyond.
![black notebook and pen](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-04/blackPoetry.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=JdZbuFgb)
March Assemblies
Download our assembly PowerPoints for the month of March for use with Key Stage 3 and 4 students.
![Picture of a student writing in class.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-02/DSC04219.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=MuRq53iV)